Call for better energy efficiency — especially for renters

SA Power Networks has announced that it is the first Australian electricity distributor to sign on to the Healthy Homes for Renters initiative coordinated by tenant advocacy organisation Better Renting with support from Energy Consumers Australia (ECA).

The initiative is a national collaboration of about 100 organisations calling for minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes.

In recent submissions to the SA Government’s Green Paper on Energy and a review of the state’s Residential Tenancies Act, SA Power Networks highlighted the need for strong action to improve the energy efficiency of homes, particularly for renters.

“We believe there should be more focus on the demand side of the equation in managing our state’s exciting energy transition,” said SA Power Networks CEO Andrew Bills.

Bills said this was not just a matter of more generation and more transmission, but also a matter of ensuring energy was used smartly and that homes were as energy-efficient as possible.

“The efficiency of existing housing stock is a critical issue impacting energy costs and health outcomes. By improving it, we can significantly reduce energy bills for those least able to do so and contribute to decarbonisation,” he said.

“It will also mean we will need to invest less in the supply side — generation, networks, storage and firming capacity — to meet household demand.

“Energy-efficient homes will also improve other important outcomes including health and wellbeing.”

Bills said SA Power Networks supported the Community Sector Blueprint submission to a review of the national framework for minimum energy efficiency for rental properties. It also recognised that appropriate measures would need to be put in place to support landlords in lifting the efficiency of the homes they manage.

“We welcome SA Power Networks’ support in helping to improve the energy performance of rental homes,” said Joel Dignam, Executive Director of Better Renting.

“From our work with renters, we know there’s huge potential here to achieve benefits for renters in terms of lower energy costs and healthier homes. The support of SA Power Networks reminds us about the broader benefits to our energy system, which can help to reduce network costs and improve system resilience, meaning lower costs for all energy users.”

“Improving energy efficiency in rental homes is a vital step in providing better outcomes for so many people in Australia. It can help bring down energy bills and improve health outcomes, helping to ensure that no one is left behind as we transition to net zero,” said Jacqueline Crawshaw, Interim CEO of Energy Consumers Australia.

The Community Sector Blueprint: National Framework for Minimum Energy Efficiency Rental Requirements has been prepared by community sector organisations advocating on behalf of renters and people on low incomes, including ECA (which funded the development of the Blueprint), Energy Efficiency Council, ACOSS and Better Renting.

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