The City of Melbourne has announced energy rebates of up to $3000 to help established apartment buildings such as yours that reduce their energy emissions and power bills. The rebates will reimburse half the cost, to the maximum value of $3000, for either solar systems or energy efficient lighting upgrades that minimise energy use in common areas.
The rebates are part of Smart Blocks, a national program that challenges strata, building managers, owners corporations and their fellow residents to rally together to find cost-effective ways to reduce energy use in common areas.
Most city apartment blocks can reduce energy consumption by up to 30 per cent by applying a range of simple measures such as solar systems and LED upgrades that also pay themselves off quickly.
Studies have found that apartments in mid rise and high rise buildings consume 25 per cent more energy than detached dwellings, and almost half the energy consumption occurs in common areas including foyers, corridors, pools, gyms and car parks.
Apartment owner Tim Esmonde helped his owners committee retrofit a seven-storey Parkville building with LED lighting and motion sensors in 2012.
The lighting changeover cost $6500 but already saves the owners corporation $2000 a year in electricity bills. That is to say that the initial capital invested by the Body Corporate was returned in the form of electricity bill savings in just over 4 years - this is considered to be an excellent economic return for a project that reduces its environmental impact by an impressive 42%.
The Alternative Technology Association conducted an energy audit of this Parkville building and compiled a report detailing the results of Tim's efforts that I can forward along to you if you are interested.
125 buildings in Victoria have already joined the Smart Blocks program and we are looking to get more buildings on board.
For further information please refer to the below:
The rebates are part of Smart Blocks, a national program that challenges strata, building managers, owners corporations and their fellow residents to rally together to find cost-effective ways to reduce energy use in common areas.
Most city apartment blocks can reduce energy consumption by up to 30 per cent by applying a range of simple measures such as solar systems and LED upgrades that also pay themselves off quickly.
Studies have found that apartments in mid rise and high rise buildings consume 25 per cent more energy than detached dwellings, and almost half the energy consumption occurs in common areas including foyers, corridors, pools, gyms and car parks.
Apartment owner Tim Esmonde helped his owners committee retrofit a seven-storey Parkville building with LED lighting and motion sensors in 2012.
The lighting changeover cost $6500 but already saves the owners corporation $2000 a year in electricity bills. That is to say that the initial capital invested by the Body Corporate was returned in the form of electricity bill savings in just over 4 years - this is considered to be an excellent economic return for a project that reduces its environmental impact by an impressive 42%.
The Alternative Technology Association conducted an energy audit of this Parkville building and compiled a report detailing the results of Tim's efforts that I can forward along to you if you are interested.
125 buildings in Victoria have already joined the Smart Blocks program and we are looking to get more buildings on board.
For further information please refer to the below:
- City of Melbourne's website https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/SUSTAINABILITY/WHATCANIDO/Pages/SustainableLivingintheCity.aspx
- Smart Block's website http://smartblocks.com.au/
- Or to seek support for your apartment building email City of Melbourne's Smart Blocks project manager Amy Brand at amy.brand@melbourne.vic.gov.au
