EPISODE 22 - Sophia Says Save Energy, Make Money
Sophia
Djargurd Wurrung Country, Camperdown
Sophia built herself a comfy, healthy climate-friendly home that MAKES HER MONEY!
In her late 40s, as a single mum, renting, with no savings, Sophia dreamt of an affordable sustainable home for her and her son.
With clever research Sophia is now living her zero-energy-bills dream.
How she got there:
- She built north facing to get free heat and light from the sun (reducing her energy demand);
- She Insulated;
- She steered clear of gas;
- She plugged all the gaps (google and get a ‘blower door test’ Sophia says);
- She used wine bottle walls for thermal mass (thermal mass is the ability of a material to absorb, store and release heat);
Energy efficient homes, like Sophia’s, save on energy bills AND health bills.
In the UK, the NHS prescribes insulation for healthier people.
An Australian trial shows households upgrading insulation, draught-sealing and using reverse-cycle heating enjoy greater mental and physical health as well as saving $887 per person on health bills.
Where are you on your journey? Download the TICK OFF TEN, stick it to your fridge and get started:
1. Switch to a green renewable energy company. Is yours green or ‘greenwashing’?
2. Turn aircon to ‘heat’ mode in winter (split system/heat pumps/ reverse cycle air-con is cheapest way to heat + cool).
3. Keep weather out. (Keeping hot air out in summer, cold air out in winter means more money in your pocket).
4. Join My Efficient Electric Home on Facebook. Crowdsource info from others on the efficient-electric-home journey.
5. Insulate floors, walls and ceilings (More insulation means less energy to heat + cool our homes).
6. Get off gas. Use portable induction cooktop instead of your gas stove. Get ready to retire gas cookers, hot water + cars.
7. Secondary or double glazing. (Keeps heat out in summer. Cold out in winter).
8. Book an expert home energy assessment + map out your efficient-electric-home blueprint.
9. Done the above? Ready for solar? Research solar rebates + green loans.
10. Forward this to a mate and get them on board.
EPISODES
09:46 mins
Meet Simon Tickner, food, fibre and wind farmer. For 50 years, Simon's farm has thrived under transmission lines.
10:30 mins
Tony Wolfe + Darren McCubbin are two Gippsland locals, amped about the jobs, economic + community benefits offshore wind is bringing to their region.
11:09 mins
Dimity Taylor loves living with her family next to the Wind Farm. She says, the sheep don't mind, the horse doesn't mind, the dog doesn't mind.
09:50 mins
Meet Ed Suttle, an Angus beef cattle farmer. Ed's a driving force behind one of Australia's largest community-owned solar farms.
12:45 mins
Meet coal miner, Darryl + local mum Ali, two Illawarra locals welcoming offshore wind to "The Gong”.
01:35 mins
Watch S4 "Good Neighbours” Trailer. Join Ryan Moloney aka “Toadie” from Neighbours as he goes shotgun, hitting the road to find out “what makes a good neighbour?” From coal miners, to farmers, and community groups meet the regional Australians welcoming wind and solar power to their neighbourhoods.
01:19 mins
Trailer: Meet Simon Tickner, food, fibre and wind farmer. For 50 years, Simon's farm has thrived under transmission lines.
01:23 mins
Trailer for Tony Wolfe + Darren McCubbin are two Gippsland locals, amped about the jobs, economic + community benefits offshore wind is bringing to their region.
01:13 mins
Trailer: Dimity Taylor loves living with her family next to the Wind Farm. She says, the sheep don't mind, the horse doesn't mind, the dog doesn't mind.
01:15 mins
Trailer: Meet Ed Suttle, an Angus beef cattle farmer. Ed's a driving force behind one of Australia's largest community-owned solar farms.
01:20 mins
Trailer: Meet coal miner, Darryl + local mum Ali, two Illawarra locals welcoming offshore wind to "The Gong”.
