Words by Nate Proctor and photo story by Jacinta Agostinelli
Following their tree-change, Nate and Erin are retrofitting a 1950s home for energy efficiency. Read on to see how 2030Yea’s Home Energy Advice Service has helped them.
Nate and Erin – their Darren Gilbert sculpture says it all.
We were living in Melbourne when we bought our first home in 2018.
The beauty and tranquility of Yea and the friendliness of the local community drew us in. When we moved into our old 1950s home we felt like we struck gold.
Air and weather can enter and escape through gaps around doors.
Air can transfer through glass that isn’t covered with good, insulating window coverings such as heavy drapes or honeycomb blinds.
But, it turns out old houses are full of holes, drafts and cracks. Where do we start retrofitting to be more energy efficient, save our bucks, the environment and our coffee funds? Living in a small resourceful and connected community there’s a service to help – 2030Yea Home Energy Efficiency Advice!
We need a door seal to prevent drafts.
There is a button on your ceiling fan that changes from summer to winter, and increases energy efficiency. I can’t believe we didn’t know this! On the winter setting warm air is pushed back down into the room.
And a weather proofing strip beneath the door prevents drafts.
A chimney damper stops draft from coming down the chimney.
Investing in a heat pump or heat converter can save $1500 plus per year.
*Editor’s note: A heat pump is the most energy efficient hot water service. However, if you have solar panels and an electric hot water service, it can soak up solar generated energy if heating during the day. This is called load-shifting. Read more here.
Also here.
The to do list
Not only did we learn so much that we can do immediately to save energy and money, but the consult got us thinking about the design of our home and ways in which we can plan for improvements, that not only consider aesthetics, comfort, and style, but also energy saving. It’s just incredible how even the smallest actions and adjustments to your home can save you money.
*Editor’s note: We will stay in touch with Nate and Erin to see what happens next.
For information about help with retrofitting, visit Victorian Government Energy Upgrades.
