Home Energy Tune-Up

Care and Vinnies provide the Home Energy Tune-Up program in the ACT. They can help increase the comfort level of your home as well as review your energy bills and usage. They can help you prepare for Winter now with free draught proofing AND high bill proofing.

Call Care on 1800 007 007 to review your energy bills and usage, set up bill-paying systems, and ensure you have access to concessions and rebates.

Call Vinnies on 6234 7408 to help you increase your home's comfort and find the best ways to save on energy costs.

The Home Energy Tune-Up initiative is a partnership between Care and Vinnies, with funding from the ACT Government. For more information visit the Home Energy Tune-Up website at www.homeenergytuneup.com.au.

Cold weather tips

Some tips to think about as winter approaches:

Check if you could be getting a better deal! With Energy Made Easy you can compare the different energy companies and choose the best plan for you. This is a free, independent government service.

Make this your mantra: “Heat the human, not the home”. Rug up, dig out your hot water bottle and invest in an electric throw blanket. It might set you back $60 now, but they cost on average about four cents (4c) an hour to run, whereas space heaters can rack up 15 cents an hour. So, snuggled up in an electric blanket, you can stress less about those power bills.

But if you do need to heat your home and you’re worried about the cost, call your energy retailer! They are required to help you by law and they can set you up with an affordable payment plan.

Check out Better Renting’s Energy Efficiency Guide. While the guide was made with renters in mind, their guide is low cost and low effort and has great ideas for anyone!

Upcoming events

Cost of Living BBQ at Richardson Primary School

The Southside Initiative collaboration will be hosting cost-of-living events at a different school each term. This is very much a community focused event and open to all families who live in the area, and beyond.

The services that will be present include, but are not limited to:

• CARE Financial Counselling and Capability
• Rent Relief Grant (4 weeks worth of rent up to $2,500)
• $100 off Voucher on ActewAGL (eligibility applies)
• Vinnies - Home Energy Efficiency Program
• ActewAGL
• Housing ACT
• WCS Supported Tenancy Service
• One link
• Services Australia - Chat with a Community Engagement Officer (Centrelink, Medicare & Family Payments)
• Gugan Gulwan
• Anglicare - Tuggeranong Emergency Relief Food Pantries; and
• Community family support services including Canberra PCYC, Pam's Pantry (Free Toy Dig), Conflict Resolution Service and Communities at Work.

The morning will include a free BBQ breakfast for parents plus there will be prizes to win including 2 x Care $50 Woolworths gift vouchers and more.

Bring Your Bills

If you are struggling to pay your energy or water bills, you may not be getting the best rates. You might be able to access reduced rates, concession prices or hardship payments. Energy efficiency options could also help you keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer without costing too much.

Bring your Bills is an event that allows you to meet with people from the water, power and community service sectors and receive free confidential advice.

The next Bring Your Bills event is happening on Wednesday 29 May at Communities at Work, Gungahlin. Services to be confirmed but are expected to include:

• Services Australia
• Origin Energy
• ActewAGL
• Housing ACT
• ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT)
• Canberra Community Law
• Child and Family Centre
• Vinnies (Energy Efficiency Team)

Home Energy Support Program

ACT Gov rebates for sustainable home upgrades

The ACT Government is providing eligible homeowners with up to $5,000 in rebates to replace gas appliances with efficient electric alternatives, improve ceiling insulation and to install solar.

Eligible applicants are homeowners who hold one of the following:

• Pensioner Concession Card
• Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
• Australian Health Care Card.

Households that have already made upgrades are noticing reduced power bills and are enjoying homes that are warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

The rebate may be combined with a zero-interest loan of up to $10,000 to further reduce or remove the upfront costs through the Sustainable Household Scheme.

Ready to start? Contact the ACT Government’s Sustainable Home Advice Team who will support you to understand how to access rebates and interest free options to make sustainable home upgrades.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 1300 141 777 (weekdays 9am to 5pm excluding public holidays)

More information about the Home Energy Support Program can be found here.

If you would like to arrange a representative from the ACT Government’s Home Energy Support Program to visit your organisation or club to discuss the program and answer any questions from your members or clients, please contact the Home Energy Support Team below to schedule an information session.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 1300 141 777

If there is anything else you would like us to share in future newsletters feel free to contact [email protected] or (02) 6202 7227. If you want an accessible or hard copy version of this newsletter please get in touch and we will arrange one for you. :)

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