How much money could energy-efficient retrofits save in WA?

The organisation is asking the government to devote $152 million over three years for a retrofit of 10,000 priority properties and $486.4 million for the remaining 32,000 public and community housing dwellings by 2030.

Upgrades would include the installation of ceiling fans, flyscreens, curtains, insulation, draught sealing, reverse cycle air conditioners, efficient electric hot water systems and solar panels, which is ultimately expected to save residents of the properties between $780 and $1,500 per year on energy bills.

Shelter WA chief executive Kath Snell noted that the savings would be substantial given that social housing dwellings are among the least energy efficient, so residents often have high costs to pay to keep their homes comfortable in both hot and cold weather.

“From Kununurra to Karratha, Carnarvon to Kalgoorlie, and even in the urban heat islands of Perth’s metropolitan areas, many social housing tenants are sweltering through extreme heats with no air conditioners or ceiling fans and struggling to afford to pay the power bills that they have racked up from using inefficient cooling systems,” Snell said.

“Likewise, in many parts of the state, from Bunbury to Bremer Bay, social housing tenants struggle to keep their poorly insulated homes warm efficiently during our cold winters.”

With governments currently being implored to help ease rising cost-of-living pressures, Snell argued the organisation’s “Healthy Homes” retrofit package offers some of the greatest returns on investment.

“An extensive energy efficiency retrofit of WA’s social housing is one of the lowest cost, highest impact opportunities to reduce the cost of living, lift living standards for renters, and decarbonise our communities,” she said.

Shelter WA also asks the government to conduct an energy efficiency audit program for all social housing and advocates for the installation of community battery systems in extreme climate zones to further offset energy costs during high-consumption periods.

“In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, the government would get a better return on investment and create a greater legacy if it delivers budget measures that reduce expensive energy bills permanently, more so than through one-off rebates,” Snell commented.

“This will complement the government’s plan to set minimum standards for rental homes and also help deliver its commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions. This is a win-win for people and the environment”.