Hobart homes warmer and wiser with Get Bill Smart

Photos from the Media Event at Mt Nelson with local resident Kathy Dynes and Home Energy Assessor Mike Willson this morning.

The Get Bill Smart project is making a huge difference to the energy efficiency and comfort levels in Greater Hobart households, with over 100 homes already visited and upgraded for free.

Low income households in the Glenorchy, Hobart, Kingborough and Clarence Councils are taking advantage of this free project run by Sustainable Living Tasmania, Mission Australia and the University of Tasmania.

Mt Nelson resident Kathy Dynes is a participant in the project and has had her home recently upgraded to be more energy efficient. ‘It’s a terrific scheme. I’m really impressed with what the Get Bill Smart team have done to my unit and it’s all free. Since the cold draughts under the doors have been sealed, I can feel it’s warmer inside already’ she says.

‘I don’t have to run my heater as much anymore which will save me heaps of money on my power bills’ Kathy says.

Other participants in the project have saved up to $15 a week off their Pay As You Go power which equates to around $180 over the winter period.

Get Bill Smart participant Becc from Clarendon Vale says ‘I have noticed with the new showerhead, insulation of the hot water cylinder and thermostat reduction that I get a lot more out of my hot water’.

Half of the participants in Get Bill Smart receive FREE grocery vouchers instead of the home energy upgrades. So far over $11 000 worth of free vouchers have been provided to low income households in Greater Hobart just for completing a few surveys about their home energy usage.

Mission Australia State Director Noel Mundy says “As a leading community organisation in Tasmania, we see every day the impact high energy costs can have on families and individuals doing it tough. This great local project is assisting Tasmanians in need reduce their household cost, easing one of the pressures they face on the home front.

Only a few places remain so eligible low income households should join up now’.”

To be eligible for Get Bill Smart, participants must be low income earners over 18 years old, have a Healthcare/Pension or DVA card and live in Greater Hobart council areas in private rental or owned homes.

Get Bill Smart is a FREE program, funded by the Department of Industry as part of the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP), designed to help households save money on their power bills and stay warmer in their homes during winter.

To receive your free grocery vouchers or home energy efficiency upgrade contact Sustainable Living Tasmania (03) 6234 5566, www.slt.org.au/gbs, or see your local community or neighbourhood centre.

The views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for any information.
Jodi Alexander – Sustainable Living Tasmania