A $16.6 million program in Tasmania will see social housing residents benefit from energy efficiency upgrades, such as new heat pump systems, that will help to reduce their cost of living.
More than 1,600 social housing households will enjoy several benefits with these upgrades including lower power bills, more comfortable homes and better living conditions.
Many of Tasmania’s social housing properties were built more than 20 years ago, before minimum building standards were introduced, and this program will help extend the life of those properties and reduce ongoing maintenance costs.
The range of energy upgrades that will be delivered include heat pump hot water systems, insulation, draught proofing, LED lights and window glazing.
Social housing tenants in Tasmania are already seeing the benefits of existing energy efficiency improvements programs.
Homes Tasmania, the state’s housing and homelessness system manager, welcomes the new funding, which will allow it to deliver more energy efficiency upgrades that reduce the cost of living for its tenants.
Between 2014 and 2023, Homes Tasmania spent more than $45 million on energy efficiency upgrades, including heat pumps, heat pump hot water systems, lighting, double-glazed windows, and upgrades to floor coverings, insulation and ventilation.
Nearly 90 per cent of Homes Tasmania properties now have an energy efficient heat pump installed, up from less than 17 per cent in 2014.
The program is being jointly funded by Homes Tasmania, community housing providers and the Australian Government’s Energy Savings Package, $300 million of which is helping to fund upgrades for up to 60,000 social housing properties across the country.
