Households Experiencing Vulnerability

 

As a social enterprise part of our mission is to support households who face barriers to transition, including those facing energy poverty. We hand-hold households experiencing vulnerability through the end-to-end process of reducing their energy bills and improving their thermal comfort through energy efficiency. 

We engage residents through targeted outreach such as letterbox drops, social media and partnerships with local community organisations, then guide them through a simple two-minute online estimate that provides personalised actions to reduce energy bills and improve thermal comfort, including costs, savings, effort and eligibility for rebates. Households or their support people can then access tailored advice via email, phone or virtual consultation, receive referrals to relevant local services, and are supported end-to-end by an advisor who helps implement actions, follows up, and records outcomes and estimated savings.

As part of our reporting we track social vulnerability factors (e.g. low income, sole carer, disability, seniors, etc) and bill savings for these groups.

We work with households, their trusted support people (e.g. family member, support worker, case manager) and with relevant organisations (e.g. social housing providers, neighbourhood centres etc).

Instant energy efficiency plan

Our instant estimate for renters and low-income households provides immediate tailored advice for the household, including:

  • Estimated breakdown of their energy bill by use (heating, cooling, cooking etc)
  • Energy efficiency action plan - a prioritised list of energy efficiency actions based on their goal.
  • An estimate of how much each action would reduce their bill, and whether it would improve their thermal comfort.
  • Identifying whether each action requires modifications to the property.
  • Identification of any government energy bill assistance they qualify for.

Advisors provide end-to-end support with implementing the energy efficiency actions, including:

  • Practical advice on how to implement behaviour changes.
  • Practical advice on how to implement home modifications.
  • Options for renters who cannot permanently modify their home.
  • Helping households identify and switch to a more affordable energy plan.
  • Assistance with approaching their landlord or accommodation provider regarding larger upgrades (e.g. solar, hot water heat pump etc).
  • Ongoing check-ins, advice and monitoring outcomes.
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Program Scope

We provide energy efficiency, thermal comfort and bill savings support for:

  • Low-income households
  • Social support recipients
  • Seniors
  • People with health/disability needs
  • Renters
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
  • Regional and remote communities
  • Social and community housing tenants
  • People living in shared accommodation (e.g. boarding houses)
  • People living in organisation accommodation (e.g. supported disability accommodation, aged care, crisis housing)

Program Outcomes

We monitor and report on:

Outputs

  • Number of households engaged and their social vulnerability factors
  • Number of instant estimates
  • Number of personalised recommendations

Outcomes

  • Number of energy efficiency plans implemented
  • Estimated household energy bill savings from plans implemented
  • Estimated improvement in thermal comfort from plans implemented (degrees heating / cooling)

Qualitative

  • Feedback from residents on the service
  • Case studies and quotes

Want to learn more?

Get in touch for more information about our program offering. 

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