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Existing homes often have significant energy and water demands and lack natural comfort. Large, expensive to maintain and operate, heating and cooling systems are sometimes inappropriately sized and often inefficient. Hot water systems also suffer similar problems. New appliances on average are nearly twice as efficient as those purchased 10 to 15 years or more ago. When many homes were designed, built and modified in years past there was not the level of awareness, motivation or design knowledge around in relation sustainable building and water and energy efficient housing. Unfortunately, most home buyers only realise a homes deficiencies after they have bought and lived in it for a year and experienced all seasons.
Times are also changing in relation to regulations and energy and water pricing. Many resources are becoming scarce and many of our attitudes and practices of the past were anything but efficient and sustainable. The need to change and the awareness is growing. This is increasingly affecting the housing and home improvement market.
Discerning home owners and prospective buyers are now considering these issues prior to making key decisions in relation to renovations, extensions and when buying existing homes.
Increasingly, new building materials, technology and greensmart products are becoming available that can be easily implemented in to existing homes. Retrofitting involves adapting or modifying existing appliances with new technology to get improved outcomes. A common example is solar hot water systems can sometimes be retrofitted to make use of the existing system as a booster.
Almost always there are opportunities to implement many small and simple changes to homes that together can deliver significant improvements to comfort, utility costs, and energy and water consumption. For major changes or modification, it is sometimes only cost effective to undertake them at key stages such as when updating or replacing worn out appliances or when renovating or extending.
A critical area that should not be overlooked is how household members use their home's existing features and appliances. We call them Usage Patterns. The use of windows, doors, landscaping, window treatments, appliances, fixtures and fittings have a significant effect on energy and water consumption and comfort. A lack of awareness is often all that is missing. Adopting sound practices and forming good habits can often yield significant reductions in energy and water consumption.
EnviroSmart Living's services for existing homes are designed to help clients identify and address all areas where smart, practical economical improvements can be implemented and identify the extent of the resulting benefits.
Download a brochure for information on services and benefits for existing homes.
Apart from offering customised services, a range of standard services for existing homes are available where a standard fee applies. These are listed and described below:
Gas/Electricity Retail Offer Assessment
From your energy bills we determine your current consumption profile for gas and electricity and the most cost effective energy offers from energy retailers for your situation. Your profile is compared to similar households and the greenhouse gas generation from your energy consumption is calculated. Information and advice on green energy can is also included if requested. The best choice of retailer for your situation can on its own save in excess of $150 per year off your gas and electricity bills.
Energysmart - Home Energy Audit (Energy reduction plan)
A comprehensive home inspection audit is conducted to determine and analyse the household's consumption profile, usage patterns and appliance efficiency. A detailed written report is provided with recommendations on how to reduce energy consumption by replacing or modifying appliances, fixtures & fittings, modifying usage patterns and deployment of other initiatives. Reports specifically address the client's brief and details all findings and recommended improvement opportunities including the benefits of recommended changes with estimated costings and payback periods.
Waterwise - Home Water Audit (Potable water reduction plan)
A comprehensive home Inspection audit is conducted to determine and analyse the household's consumption profile, usage patterns and appliance efficiency. A detailed written report is provided with recommendations on how to reduce potable water consumption by replacing or modifying appliances, fixtures & fittings, modifying usage patterns and deployment of rain water tanks and grey water recycling. Reports specifically address the client's brief and details all findings and recommended improvement opportunities including the benefits of recommended changes with estimated costings and payback periods. Government rebates apply in Victoria.
Prospective home purchase Assessment
An inspection report is provided to identify how sustainable, energy and water efficient a home is for prospective purchasers. It can also include assessment of specific needs of prospective purchasers and the property's potential in relation to extension or renovation improvements. This service can also be provided to vendors to help promote the benefits of a property they are selling.
An accredited energy rating can be done for existing homes with plans. See how your home's building fabric rates against current 5 Star homes regulations that now apply for all new homes in Victoria . Also provides recommendations as to where and how improvements can be made.
