NT renters report worst indoor temperatures in country while calls grow for new energy standards

With some renters forced to switch off the aircon to save on energy bills, the Territory’s peak social services lobby has called on new minimum energy efficiency standards in new homes.

Cost of living advocates have demanded better household energy standards as the NT recorded the highest indoor temperatures across the country last summer.

Territorians sweated between December and February, with the mercury above 30C more than eight hours a day according to NT renters surveyed by Better Renting.

The national lobby’s Cruel Summers report found that NT rentals had the highest median indoor temperatures of any state or territory at 29.8C during those months.

Youth worker Eilis Fitt, 25, who was surveyed for the report, rents a mid-century brick duplex in Alice Springs and said that the air conditioner was ineffective during 30C-plus temperatures and high humidity.

Alice Springs youth worker Eilis Fitt said her mid-century duplex becomes a "hot box" during the central Australian summer. Picture: Supplied

On top of that, there is no roof insulation and thin window glazing, which she said made it a “hot box” during warmer months.

“It was a pretty brutal summer,” Ms Fitt told the NT News.

“Alice has a pretty dry climate, but there were some really muggy days and the air conditioner just didn’t work. It worked at times, but on the humid days it just didn’t work at all.

“It affects your ability to get enough sleep, and if you can’t sleep properly that affects everything else in life. There were many nights where I was just going to bed coughing because of the heat.”

The Northern Territory Council of Social Services seized on the findings, calling for stronger home insulation standards, as well further investment in household solar energy to bring down energy prices.

Territorians sweated between December and February, with the mercury above 30C more than eight hours a day according to NT renters surveyed by Better Renting. Picture: Che Chorley

“Many households in the NT struggle to keep their housing at a comfortable and healthy temperature that keeps them safe, happy and healthy,” NTCOSS chief executive Caitlin Perry said.

“Many people experiencing financial stress and disadvantage cannot afford to cool their homes or must go without food or medical care to pay their energy bills due to extreme weather.”

NTCOSS criticised the Territory government for being one of only two states and territories not to mandate the National Construction Code’s seven-star energy standards, the other being New South Wales.

An NT government spokeswoman said that work was under way “to determine the most beneficial residential energy efficiency measures for the Territory’s climate”.

“Most public housing in the Territory, including remote housing, achieves a six-star residential energy efficiency rating with some new homes reaching a seven-star rating,” the spokeswoman said.

Consumer advocacy group Econnex found that Territorians paid an average of $1890 per year on electricity, nearly a third more than the national average of $1500.

Meanwhile, Anglicare released findings earlier this week that of 45,000 current rental listings across the country, just 0.6 per cent are classified as “affordable” by a person on a full-time minimum wage.