Renovating

​A Residential Efficiency Scorecard assessment can tell you what the current state of your home is and prioritise areas to improve as part of the renovation. It can also empower you with knowledge when working with your builder.

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​If you are considering renovating your home, now is the best time to think about energy efficiency. The absolute best time is before any plans have been drawn up. This will give you maximum flexibility to update for efficiency in a cost effective way.

Some elements of our homes – for example insulation or windows - only get touched once or twice throughout the home’s life. They are installed when the home is built and then not changed again unless the home is being renovated.

Most Australian homes were built prior to energy efficiency being a priority. This means that your home is likely to be:

• under-insulated, or has no insulation, 
• draughty (lots of gaps and cracks) and 
• has thermally poor-quality windows. 

If wall linings are being removed (internal or external), or windows moved / replaced – now will be the most cost effective time to add insulation or choose energy efficient windows. 

Considering thermal efficiency at the renovation stage may add a small amount to your renovation budget, but you may be surprised how little.
The additional outlay will be worth it in the long run as you will be lowering your home's running costs permanently.

Rebates, incentives and Green Loans may be available to help finance your renovation.