How it helps:

• Connects residents and businesses with vetted installers and approved products
• Supports informed decisions for affordable, high-quality upgrades
• Helps reduce energy bills and protect against rising energy bills
• Contributes to the clean energy transition

Alpine Shire Council is proud to be part of this program, our community take significant steps toward energy efficiency and sustainability.

Renewable Energy Generation & Storage

Even highly energy-efficient homes need electricity. This can come from onsite renewable energy, such as rooftop solar, or electricity purchased from the grid.

Generating renewable electricity at home - most commonly through rooftop solar - can offer several benefits:

• Lower electricity bills by reducing reliance on grid power
• Reduced household emissions, as solar energy produces no emissions during operation
• Greater energy independence and protection from rising energy prices
• Long-term value, with quality solar panels typically lasting 25 years or more

Adding battery storage can provide additional benefits by storing excess solar energy for use when the sun isn't shining, including overnight or during peak demand periods.

To ensure good system performance, product quality and eligibility for and government rebates, households should choose an Authorised Solar Provider using Solar Victoria approved products.

You can estimate costs, payback periods and long-term savings using the Solar Calculator on the Victorian Energy Compare website.

Purchasing GreenPower

Another way to support renewable energy - without installing any equipment - is to purchase 100% renewable electricity through your energy retailer.

Many electricity providers in Australia offer GreenPower-accredited plans, which guarantee that your electricity use is matched with renewable energy generation. Purchasing GreenPower helps increase the amount of renewable electricity in the grid and reduces demand for coal and gas.

To explore your options, view the GreenPower Accredited provider list for Australian Government-approved retailers.

Some smaller or comunity-owned energy retailers may be affiliated with larger providers, so it's worth doing a bit of research before choosing a plan.

Going electric means replacing gas-powered appliances in your home with energy-efficient electric alternatives. Gas is a fossil fuel that produces greenhouse gas emissions, while elctric appliances - especially when powered by renewable energy - can generate zero emissions and often use energy more efficiently.

Key areas for electricication include heating, cooling, hot water, refrigeration and cooking. Technologies like heat pumps for heating/cooling and induction coktops are highly efficient and increasingly affordable, offering energy savings, lower bills and improved comfort.

Energy efficiency matters: Look for appliances with high star ratings. More stars mean lower running costs and better overall efficiency. Use tools like the Australian Government’s Energy Rating Calculator to compare total costs over time.

Further tips & resources:

• Renew Australia's Getting Off Gas Toolkit - guidance for switching to efficient electric appliances.
• State Electricity Commission of Victoria's Electric Home Planner - personalised plans to cut energy bills and electrify your home, including appliance suggestions, costs, rebates and emissions reduction.
• Sustainability Victoria - tips for reducing energy use across heating, cooling, water heating, cooking and lighting.

Small design choices when building or renovating can make your home more energy efficient and comfortable, often with minimal upfront cost. Key considerations include:

• Orientation and zoning of living spaces
• High thermal mass materials
• Window performance (glazing and frames)
• Wall, roof and floor insulation
• Minimised thermal bridging
• Air tightness and ventilation
• Shading and condensation control

For practical tips and expert advice, check out the Australian Government’s Your Home guide and the MOTIIVES video series.

Even if you don't own your own home, there are many ways to save energy, reduce bills and stay comfortable:

Lights & appliances:

• Choose energy-efficient appliances and LED globes
• Turn off lights and appliances when not in use
• Make the most of natural light by opening curtains and blinds
• Wash clothes in cold water and air dry when possible
• Only boil as much water as you need
• Only run the dishwasher when it has a full load

Heating and cooling:

• Set heating between 18-20°C in winter and cooling between 25°C-27°C in summer
• Seal gaps around doors and windows to reduce draughts
• Close unused rooms and doors when heating or cooling
• Use curtains or blinds to regulate temperature
• Use fans or natural ventilation to supplement air conditioning

For more tips and resources, visit the Australian Government’s Energy website.

Council offers Home Energy and Water Efficiency Kits for hire from our libraries, along with easy-to-follow resources to help identify how your home can save energy, reduce emissions and improve comfort year-round.

• Kits can be used by anyone, including children with adult supervision
• Each kit comes with a simple guide to make home assessments easy
• The Home Energy and Water Efficiency Assessment Guide (already in the kits) can be downloaded here.
• Hard copies of the resource Your Home are available to borrow from our libraries

Creating a sustainable garden can reduce your envrionmental impact, save resources, and make your outdoor space more enjoyable.

Below are some ideas to consider:

• Plant wisely: Choose natives and/or drought tolerant species to reduce watering needs.
• Compost & worm farms: Turn food scraps into fertiliser while diverting waste from landfill. Learn more about home composting.
• Shade & trees: Trees provide localised cooling, improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff and support biodiversity.
• Indoor plants: Can create a healthier indoor environment by absorbing carbon dioxide and removing toxic chemicals from the air.
• Enhance biodiversity: Include a mix of plants to attract pollinators and wildlife. ABC Gardening Australia's Backyard Biodiversity guide is a great resource.
• Community gardens: If space or time is limited, join one of Alpine's community gardens to grow plants and meet like-minded people.

Drought-tolerant gardening:

• Plant species that do not require much water, such as Australian natives
• Use drip irrigation or wicking beds instead of traditional sprinklers to minimise water loss
• Mulch garden beds to retain moisture
• Harvest rainwater for garden watering

Grow your own food:

• Grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs to reduce packaging, transport emissions and costs of store-bought foods
• Keep chickens for eggs, composting food scraps and natural fertiliser
• Use local planting guides for seasonal advice, such as the North East planting guide

Using water efficiently saves money on water bills and can also reduce electricity and gas costs associated with heating and pumping water.

Tips & resources:

• Design guidance: The Australian Government’s Your Home website provides reliable advice on environmentally sustainable building design, including water use and recycling.
• WELS rating: The Water Efficiency Labelling Standard (WELS) scheme rates the water efficiency of appliances and fittings, helping you choose water-saving products. Search for WELS-rated products.
• Rainwater use: Rainwater colected in tanks can be used for gardens, laundry and outdoor cleaning, helping reduce mains water use and bills. Drinking and cooking should still use mains water where available.
• Greywater reuse: Greywater from washing machines can water gardens if suitable detergents are used. Always follow safe greywater practices.

Rebates for Energy Efficiency Improvements

Homes and businesses can access a range of rebates and discounts for energy efficiency upgrades, including appliance improvements, solar PV installation, and other services. More nformation is available on the Victorian Energy Saver and Solar Victoria websites.

Victorian Government Rebates

The Victorian Government offers rebates to help reduce the cost of installing household solar generation and storage systems. Details of available programs can be found on the Solar Victoria website.

The Solar for Apartments Program offers rebates for solar PV installations at apartment buildings (including strata townhouses and units) managed by an Owners Corporation.