Powering cheaper energy bills
A solar program rolled out across Believe Housing Australia’s social housing properties is helping tenants save on their energy bills while reducing their environmental footprint.
Created in partnership with Believe Housing Australia, AnglicareSA, 369 Labs, and Beat Energy, rooftop solar panels and a device called Pulse are installed at no cost to tenants. These solar systems are fully paid for, maintained, and owned by Believe Housing Australia and AnglicareSA.
369 Labs’ Pulse device is installed inside the home and monitors energy performance in real time, flashing green when power is cheap and red when it is expensive, helping tenants identify the most efficient and affordable time to use power.
Believe Housing Australia tenant Beverley was a part of the solar program’s pilot and was still reaping the benefits, saving hundreds of dollars on her energy bills every year.
“As long as the Pulse is flashing green, I know I am getting free power,” Beverley said.
“I now do my washing or run the dishwasher during the day when the sun’s out.
“There’s more power being used, and it is costing me less.”
Designed to ease cost-of-living pressures and promote energy equity, the initiative has already reached 289 households across Believe Housing Australia’s housing portfolio, with an average saving of 15 to 25 per cent on energy bills, which equates to $250 to $300 each year.
Tenants who do not have suitable roof space for a solar system can still benefit from the solar program through partner 369 Labs’ Virtual Power Plant. This allows them to harness solar power and save money on their bills through excess power generated from solar panels.
The impact of the solar program extends beyond providing affordable energy for social housing tenants – it also provides a platform for ongoing education and support about how to minimise energy costs and reduce our environmental footprint.
Believe Housing Australia Executive General Manager, Housing, Stacey Northover, said that the solar program was helping to bridge the gap for social housing tenants, who are often excluded from the renewable energy market.
“The solar project is a key part of our commitment to delivering long-term, sustainable solutions that ease the financial pressure on our tenants,” Stacey said.
“By harnessing renewable energy, we are not only reducing energy bills but also helping to create a healthier, more resilient future for our communities.
“We are also exploring new opportunities to further improve energy efficiency across our housing portfolio, with exciting upgrades and partnerships on the horizon that will take this work even further.”
The project was trialled in 2021 with 37 of Believe Housing Australia’s community housing properties in the north and north-eastern suburbs.
The award-winning program had been recognised for its impact in the social housing and sustainability sectors with major industry awards, including the Sustainability category in the Future of Ageing Awards, as well as the Innovation Award at the Australasian Housing Institute (AHI) Brighter Future Awards SA/NT.
