Why it pays to think green

Budget-friendly improvements can reduce your power bills, make your home more sustainable and even improve its value

- TOM WATSON

It may feel like a distant memory as we head into spring, but less than three months ago parts of the country were experiencing their coldest start to winter in decades. While those chilly days were unusual, they did reveal that many Australian homes aren’t particularly effective at dealing with cold weather – a fact that has been made more apparent by the resulting energy bills.

Homes that require less energy usage and have a lower carbon footprint are in demand, though. Research by the CSIRO has found that, when given the choice, two-thirds of prospective buyers prefer energy-efficient homes.

Adding to that, the Domain Sustainability in Property Report 2022 found that units and houses with energy-efficient features not only sold at higher prices, but also spent less time on the market. Domain’s analysis revealed that, so far this year, sustainable houses have fetched 17% more than those that don’t have energy-efficient features – a premium equivalent to $125,000.

While many homeowners may like the idea of making upgrades to reduce their bills or overall footprint, there is the matter of cost.

The good news is that there is a range of energy-efficient improvements that can be made on budgets big and small – some of which can even pay for themselves over time.

Budget: Under $10,000

Dayne Thompson, chief executive of EnergyFit Homes, is adamant that if you’re working with a smaller budget, gap-sealing will provide the best bang for your buck. It’s an energy-efficient measure that even renters can utilise, depending on their landlord.