National Energy Efficiency Program
From the executive summary of the report:
This report recommends the Government implements a national energy efficiency program for 3.5 million low-income households over the next 7 years we recognise that the Government has committed to CPI indexation and cash assistance.
However, cash assistant alone does not represent the best long-term solution for low-income households and government.
The program would involve a home visit that would determine the most appropriate package of energy efficiency measures for each household. Each household would receive energy efficiency improvements up to the value of $2,000 (including the cost of the visit).
The energy efficiency improvements may include,
– compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL),
– efficient shower roses,
– weather proofing,
– curtains,
– ceiling insulation and efficient refrigerators.
Some households with special circumstances that need energy efficient water heating or air conditioning may receive a grant of up to $6,000.
This report finds that the costs of energy will rise substantially even without the introduction of the CPRS.
An improvement in energy efficiency provides an opportunity for an effective demand side response by households that can shield households from the impact of rising energy costs through a reduction of energy consumption.
HH supports the general idea but as usual we have a few questions ….
– what happened to the report and what was implemented? IF YOU KNOW ANY DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT HH
– we assume the strange mix of ‘efficient’ modifications were explained and prioritised in more detail in the body of the report
– we note ‘energy efficient refrigerators’ being recommended – what chance of this being adopted when, for over 25 years, the refrigerator has been seen by state and Australian governments as a tenant responsibility. HH thinks improving nutrition requires the safe storage of food. We also compare the attiitude in Australia to New York City where fridges are supplied by the public housing authority.
