Report reveals Queensland’s shocking energy efficiency housing standards

Queenslanders have been wasting an estimated $1600 on their annual power bills, with a shock report revealing the woeful energy efficiency standards in millions of Australian homes.

Queenslanders have been wasting an estimated $1600 on their annual power bill, with a shock report revealing the woeful energy efficiency standards in Australian homes.

The Climate Council estimates about 8 million Australian homes were built under minimum energy efficiency standards, which has now led to residents to wasting an average $2,000 on their annual energy bill.

Climate Council senior researcher and report author Dr Carl Tidemann said low income renters were most affected due to generally living in older, lower quality homes.

“For roughly eight million homes built before 2003, the average energy rating is as low as 1.5 stars or less. That’s little better than living in a tin shed, to be frank,” Dr Tidemann said.

“It’s a big problem because people are paying far too much to heat and cool their homes.

“The lack of information is a major barrier because we really just don't know where the (8 million) houses are.”

The Climate Council's Smarter Energy Use report reveals how much Brisbane residents can save if they made simple home changes. Picture: Climate Council

The Climate Council's Smarter Energy Use report reveals how much Brisbane residents (second column) can save if they made simple home changes. Picture: Climate Council

According to the Climate Council’s Smart Energy Use Report, the average household in Brisbane could save just under $1600 on their annual energy bill simply by switching from gas to electric and investing in various energy efficient items like proper insulation and double glazed windows.

Dr Tidemann said fixing draughting was the easiest change to make and was the best money saver for renters and owner occupiers.

“Particularly because there’s readily available products in any hardware store you can go to seal up gaps, windows and doors,” he said.

“Simple things like door snakes make a difference as well … even lighting, LEDs can save about 80 per cent depending on what lighting you currently have.

“All homes are different and if you are going to implement something, it’s important to have an assessment done to make sure you’re making the right changes that getting the biggest best bang for your buck.”

The Climate Council recommends renters and homeowners locate and fix draughting issues as an easy, cost saving measure to save money on their power bills. Picture: Climate Council

High rental occupancy and unaffordable upfront costs remain a large barrier for most long-term energy savers, and renters would likely continue footing the bill for worn-out homes unless standards changed.

The Climate Council is now lobbying the government ahead of the federal budget announcement next month to a national energy efficiency standard for rentals and zero-interest loans to allow owners to update their properties.

“We’re advocating for zero interest loans so people can implement energy saving and upfront costs can be put into loan and then the savings can be used to pay off the loan. The savings are high enough,” Dr Tidemann said.

“We expect a big budget announcement on energy efficiency so we're really going to be pushing for that as well as minimal rental standards and we know some of these things can only be implemented at a state or territory level but the federal government does have a role to play in co-ordinating.”

Home tips that save energy consumption:

Find and fix draughts by sealing wall cavities and reducing sub-floor ventilation

Fix insulation gaps in ceilings, under floor, and walls.

Installing double or secondary glaze window or low emissivity glass.

Changing external shading to reduce sunlight, or choosing roof colours better at reflect light.

Renter Rowena Specht-Whyte at her home. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Brisbane woman Rowena Specht-Whyte, 41 has been renting for two decades, but severely struggled through intense heat and humidity levels during summer while living in a rental without air-conditioning.

After experiencing a rise in chronic migraines, she began measuring the temperature, only to realise her apartment was consistently sitting above 27C.

“I suffer from myalgic encephalomyelitis and I get increased pain when temperatures reach above 25C,” she said.

“I’ve since learned that indoor temperatures above 25C are unsafe and unhealthy for everyone.”

Ms Specht-Whyte desperately saved to purchase a portable air conditioner to alleviate the heat, skipping meals and other necessities.

Following a hot and elongate summer, her electricity bill had doubled.

Ms Specht-Whyte is also lobbying for widespread change in rental energy efficiency standards, to give renters better living conditions, especially those who cannot afford extra cooling and heating appliances or are too scared to ask their landlord for upgrades.

“If the house had proper insulation or better aircon, like a split installation, it would really reduce my energy bill,” she said.

“I think the government needs to step in here, with an energy efficient standard because renters can’t make most of these (energy saving) changes ourselves.”