Renters: What You Can Do Now     

You do not need to own your home to start cutting energy bills and making your space more comfortable. There are plenty of low-cost, reversible steps renters can take to improve energy efficiency and reduce reliance on gas.

Stay comfortable and save energy

Start by making your home more thermally efficient. Use rugs to cover cold floors, and layer your window coverings with blackout curtains or blinds. These simple changes help trap heat in winter and block it out in summer. You can also reduce draughts using foam or tissue paper strips around windows, door snakes, or removable gap fillers. In bathrooms or laundry rooms, you can even apply bubble wrap to windows for insulation without affecting privacy.

If you have an older home with vents or gaps between floorboards and skirting, check for airflow on a windy day. Lighting a candle and watching for flickers can help you find where cold air is coming in.

Switch to efficient electric heating and cooking

Many rental homes have gas heaters, stoves and hot water systems. But there are ways to work around them.

If your home has a split system or reverse cycle air conditioner, use it for heating. These systems are much more efficient than gas ducted heating, often costing around one third as much to run. If not, even a small plug-in electric heater will typically be cheaper and cleaner than turning on the ducted gas.

You can also reduce your gas use in the kitchen. Portable induction cooktops are a great alternative to using a gas stove. They are fast, safe and easy to store. Best of all, you can borrow one from Darebin Libraries to try it out at home before you decide to buy.

In the bathroom, consider getting a shower timer and a low flow shower head.  A small heater for the bathroom might make short showers less unattractive.  In the laundry consider using cold wash cycles.

Talk to your landlord

If you have already done what you can and want to go further, consider having a conversation with your landlord. Some may be open to improvements that lower your bills and increase the value of the property, like draught sealing or installing a split system. The Victorian Government also offers rebates and programs that landlords can access, especially for homes with concession card holders or in multi-dwelling developments.  Be aware of the minimum rental standards before talking to your landlord or agent.

Demand change

Renters deserve homes that are safe, healthy and affordable to live in. One way to help make this a reality is to contact your local state member of parliament and ask them to support legislation that makes energy efficiency standards mandatory for rental properties. This would ensure rental homes are properly insulated and fitted with efficient appliances, linking rent prices to the comfort and running costs of the home. A more energy efficient rental market benefits everyone, especially those most affected by rising energy bills.

Get tailored advice

If you are not sure what is possible in your rental, or need help working out the most cost-effective changes, Graham Moore is available to help. He is a retired Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering who now volunteers with Darebin Climate Action Now. Graham can meet you at a café, local library or online to talk through your situation and help you take action.

Resources

City of Darebin, Go Electric for Renters

Quick Links

1. Why Electrify? Understanding the Energy Market and Your Role in the Transition
2. Getting Ready: What to Check Before You Begin
3. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
4. Make the Switch: Heating, Hot Water and Cooking
5. Solar, Batteries and EVs: Powering Your Future
6. Renters: What You Can Do Now

Darebin Climate Action Now (DCAN) is run by volunteers who want to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future. The information on this website, and provided by our volunteer expert Graham Moore, is general in nature. We recommend you seek independent advice applicable to your individual circumstances.

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient     

Before switching appliances or installing solar, the most cost effective step you can take is to make your home more energy efficient. Many Australian homes are poorly insulated, and heating or cooling tends to leak out through ceilings, floors, walls, gaps and windows. Improving thermal efficiency means your home stays warmer in winter and cooler in summer, and appliances do not need to work as hard or as often.

Insulation

Start with insulation. Roof insulation is relatively simple to install if you have roof access, and should be checked even if it is already in place. If tradespeople have been in the roof recently, they may have moved insulation around and forgotten to put it back in place. For most homes, roof insulation with an R value of 4 to 6 is recommended. Wall insulation is more difficult to retrofit, but not impossible. Weatherboard walls can be removed and replaced, and insulation can be blown into wall cavities by a professional. Underfloor insulation is also worthwhile, particularly for homes with timber floors or that sit on stumps rather than a concrete slab.

Draught proofing

Next, look at windows, doors and other draughts. Small changes here can have a big impact. Window frames can be sealed with foam strips or rolled up tissues. Plastic film can be applied to the frame to create a thermal barrier. Bubble wrap can be used in areas like bathrooms where natural light is more important than the view. Even if you already have double glazing, these additions can improve thermal performance.

Curtains and blinds also matter. Heavy drapes, block-out blinds or layered coverings that trap air are particularly effective. The best setup is a blind that sits close to the glass, with a pelmet at the top, and a curtain that hangs outside the frame to trap airflow.

Doors and vents can let in draughts too. A rolled-up towel or door snake can stop cold air from coming through the gap under a door. In older homes, you might find gaps where the floor meets the skirting board, or vents that allow too much airflow. Try lighting a candle and watching for a flicker on a windy day to spot leaks.

To get a better idea of how heat moves through your home, you can borrow a thermal camera from Darebin Libraries. They also have energy efficiency kits and induction cooktops available for loan. These can help you test how well your home retains heat, and whether your cooking equipment is compatible with induction before you make the switch.

Talk to an expert

If you are not sure which improvements will give you the best return, or you would like help planning your approach, Graham Moore can help. Graham is a retired Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering and now volunteers with DCAN to help Darebin locals electrify their homes. He can meet with you at a café, library or over the phone to talk through your options.

Resources:

Darebin Libraries, borrow thermal efficiency tool kit

Quick Links

1. Why Electrify? Understanding the Energy Market and Your Role in the Transition
2. Getting Ready: What to Check Before You Begin
3. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
4. Make the Switch: Heating, Hot Water and Cooking
5. Solar, Batteries and EVs: Powering Your Future
6. Renters: What You Can Do Now

Darebin Climate Action Now (DCAN) is run by volunteers who want to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future. The information on this website, and provided by our volunteer expert Graham Moore, is general in nature. We recommend you seek independent advice applicable to your individual circumstances.

Make the Switch: Heating, Hot Water and Cooking     

Once your home is more energy efficient, you can start replacing gas appliances with cleaner, more efficient electric options. These upgrades can drastically lower your bills and reduce your carbon footprint, while improving comfort, health and safety.  The Victorian government has a range of rebates to make the switch cheaper.

Heating and cooling

Reverse cycle air conditioners, also known as split systems or heat pumps, are the most efficient way to heat and cool your home. They use around one third of the energy of ducted gas heating and can often pay for themselves in reduced energy bills within a few years. If you are short on outdoor space, multi-head systems can allow several indoor units to run off one external compressor. Some units can also be controlled remotely using a phone app or even respond to AI temperature settings.

Hot water

If you are upgrading from a gas or electric storage system, the most efficient option is a heat pump hot water system. These systems operate like a reverse cycle air conditioner, compressing air to generate heat, and can be up to five times more efficient than other systems. It is best to avoid models with an electric booster, which are essentially standard electric systems. For a household of four people, a 300 litre tank is usually sufficient. Heat pumps take a few hours to fully heat the tank but are compatible with solar, allowing you to run them during the day when energy is cheapest or free.

Cooking

A lot of Australians have grown up cooking with gas and many people love the feel of a gas flame under a hot pan. If that sounds like you, you're not alone. The good news is that electric and induction cooking have come a long way since the old coil-top cookers many of us remember. Modern induction cooktops are incredibly responsive and a joy to cook on. You can go from a gentle simmer to a rolling boil with precision, and because they only heat the base of the pot, they are also safer and more efficient.

Induction cooktops use magnetic fields to directly heat compatible cookware, which means no open flame and no wasted heat. They’re cleaner too, improving indoor air quality by avoiding the combustion gases that come with cooking on gas. If you’re not quite ready to part with your gas stove, you don’t have to guess—try it for yourself first. Darebin Libraries have portable induction cooktops you can borrow to test at home.

Even keeping just one gas appliance, like a stove, means you’ll still be paying the daily gas connection fee, which can exceed $100 per quarter. Making the switch not only modernises your kitchen, it can also save you money in the long run.

Get free expert advice

If you would like help choosing appliances, finding rebates or planning your transition, Graham Moore is here to help. He is a retired Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering who now volunteers with DCAN, offering free support to Darebin residents. Graham can meet with you at a café, library or over the phone.

Resources:

Darebin Libraries, borrow an induction cooktop

Quick Links

1. Why Electrify? Understanding the Energy Market and Your Role in the Transition
2. Getting Ready: What to Check Before You Begin
3. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
4. Make the Switch: Heating, Hot Water and Cooking
5. Solar, Batteries and EVs: Powering Your Future
6. Renters: What You Can Do Now

Darebin Climate Action Now (DCAN) is run by volunteers who want to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future. The information on this website, and provided by our volunteer expert Graham Moore, is general in nature. We recommend you seek independent advice applicable to your individual circumstances.

Solar, Batteries and EVs: Powering Your Future     

Once your home is more efficient and your appliances are electric, you can get even more value by generating your own electricity. Solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles (EVs) are all part of the broader energy transition, helping you save money and reduce emissions.

Solar panels

A rooftop solar system typically includes photovoltaic (PV) panels and an inverter. The panels generate DC (direct current) power from sunlight, and the inverter converts it to usable AC (alternating current) power for your home. Most homes in Darebin will support a solar array between 3 and 10+ kilowatts, depending on roof space and orientation. Panels facing north, east or west are best, but south-facing roofs can still contribute. The fewer obstructions like trees, TV antennas or air conditioning units, the better your generation potential.

It is worth installing as many panels as your roof can reasonably fit. The Victorian Government is offering rebates for installing solar panels which can cover some of the expense. Adding a battery at the same time as your solar panels is usually the most cost-effective option, as installation and labour costs are shared. If you need to add a battery later, it is still possible and can be relatively straightforward, just make sure your inverter is appropriate for a future battery capacity. Ask your installer whether your system will allow for battery expansion or EV integration down the track.

If you want extra security, ask your installer about backup protection. This feature allows you to keep running on solar and battery power when the grid goes down.

Batteries

A battery stores excess solar energy generated during the day so you can use it at night or during periods of low sunlight. This increases your energy independence and reduces the amount of electricity you need to draw from the grid. It also allows you to keep more of what your solar panels generate, making your system more efficient and cost effective over time, especially as feed-in tariffs for excess solar energy continue to decline.

If cost is a barrier, consider a modular battery system. These allow you to start small and expand over time, so you can grow your storage capacity as your needs or budget change.

From 1 July 2025, the Australian Federal Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program provides a 30% upfront discount on battery installations. This significantly reduces the initial outlay and shortens payback periods, making batteries a more accessible and attractive option for many households.

Electric vehicles (EVs)

If you own a car or plan to buy one, an EV can be part of your household energy plan. Charging at home is simple, especially if you drive fewer than 50 kilometres a day. A standard 10 amp power point, which is standard in a Victorian home, will charge your car overnight. A 32 amp outlet can make charging faster. Installing a wall-mounted charger typically costs $600 to $700 if your switchboard is ready.

EV batteries are also large. Most have a storage capacity of 60 to 70 kilowatt hours, much more than most home batteries. In the near future, bi-directional chargers will allow you to use your car battery to power your home or feed energy back into the grid.

When deciding whether an EV makes sense for you, consider how often your car is at home. If it is regularly parked during the day, solar charging becomes even more useful. If you have a larger solar system and can plug in your car during the day you can probably do most of car charging for almost free in the non-winter months. There are smaller EVs that cost less than $35,000 and maintenance costs are low.

Get free expert advice

If you are unsure about how to choose a solar system, compare quotes, or understand battery or EV options, Graham Moore can help. He is a retired Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering who now volunteers with DCAN to help Darebin locals electrify their homes. Whether you are at the beginning of your journey or ready to finalise an install, Graham can offer free, independent advice.

Resources:

RACV’s list of solar and battery rebates in Victoria

The Australian Government Cheaper Home Batteries program

Quick Links

1. Why Electrify? Understanding the Energy Market and Your Role in the Transition
2. Getting Ready: What to Check Before You Begin
3. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
4. Make the Switch: Heating, Hot Water and Cooking
5. Solar, Batteries and EVs: Powering Your Future
6. Renters: What You Can Do Now

Darebin Climate Action Now (DCAN) is run by volunteers who want to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future. The information on this website, and provided by our volunteer expert Graham Moore, is general in nature. We recommend you seek independent advice applicable to your individual circumstances.

Getting Ready: What to Check Before You Begin     

Transitioning to an electric home is achievable for most households, but a bit of preparation will make the process smoother and more cost effective. Starting with a clear understanding of your home’s structure and wiring can help prevent surprises later on.

Begin by speaking with your neighbours. If they are planning a renovation or planting trees, it could affect where your solar panels go. Shading, even partial, can reduce your system’s effectiveness. It is also worth checking whether there are any heritage overlays on your property. These can limit where panels are placed, though in many cases you will still be able to install them as long as they are not visible from the street.

Next, have a good look at your roof. Is it in good condition? Are there signs of leaks or wear? Now is the best time to get any repairs done, before panels or insulation go in. If your house is older, consider getting an electrician to inspect your wiring and switchboard. You might not need a full upgrade, but many older homes need additional power points or circuit capacity to support new electric appliances.

Get free expert advice

If you are unsure where to start or what to check, Graham Moore can help. With decades of experience in environmental engineering and home energy systems, Graham now volunteers with Darebin Climate Action Now to help residents plan their energy transitions. He can visit your home, meet you at a local café or library, or chat over the phone to talk through your options and help you get started.

Graham’s support is free for Darebin residents.

Resources:

City of Darebin, Make A Plan To Go All Electric

Quick Links

1. Why Electrify? Understanding the Energy Market and Your Role in the Transition
2. Getting Ready: What to Check Before You Begin
3. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
4. Make the Switch: Heating, Hot Water and Cooking
5. Solar, Batteries and EVs: Powering Your Future
6. Renters: What You Can Do Now

Darebin Climate Action Now (DCAN) is run by volunteers who want to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future. The information on this website, and provided by our volunteer expert Graham Moore, is general in nature. We recommend you seek independent advice applicable to your individual circumstances.

Why Electrify? Understanding the Energy Market and Your Role in the Transition     

Victoria is shifting rapidly towards a renewable energy future. Electricity currently makes up around 22 percent of total energy use in Australia, but this is expected to grow to 90 percent within the next 20 years. In 2015 on one day, renewable energy made up 30% of electricity supply in any given moment. By 2025, the biggest day had jumped to 75%. South Australia regularly reaches 100% renewable energy and often exports to Victoria. On 6 November 2024, rooftop solar alone provided an estimated 43% of electricity across the National Electricity Market (NEM).

Gas, on the other hand, is becoming more expensive. Supplies from the Bass Strait have been largely exhausted, and Victoria is now increasingly reliant on gas piped in from South Australia and Queensland. As more households move away from gas, fewer customers are left paying to maintain the infrastructure, so prices will continue to rise.

Understanding a few key concepts will give you the vocabulary and help you make informed decisions.

• Power, measured in kilowatts (kW), refers to the electricity your home is using at any one time.
• Energy, measured in kilowatt hours (kWh), refers to how much power you use over a period of time.

Solar systems are typically measured in kilowatts. Most homes in Victoria install solar arrays between 3 and 10  kW, which refers to the maximum capacity of the system on a sunny day. If you have excess energy, you can sell it back to the grid, but there is often a 5 kW export limit.

The NEM connects electricity users across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania. Wind farms, rooftop solar and utility-scale solar farms feed into this system and help to lower electricity prices.

Get free expert advice

If you are considering electrifying your home, or would like help understanding how solar works, Graham Moore can help. He is a retired Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering who now volunteers with DCAN to support Darebin residents on their electrification journey. He offers free one-on-one guidance based on your home, needs and budget.

Resources:

National Electricity Market (NEM) explained

Quick Links

1. Why Electrify? Understanding the Energy Market and Your Role in the Transition
2. Getting Ready: What to Check Before You Begin
3. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
4. Make the Switch: Heating, Hot Water and Cooking
5. Solar, Batteries and EVs: Powering Your Future
6. Renters: What You Can Do Now

Darebin Climate Action Now (DCAN) is run by volunteers who want to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future. The information on this website, and provided by our volunteer expert Graham Moore, is general in nature. We recommend you seek independent advice applicable to your individual circumstances.

Electrify Your Home: A Practical Guide for Darebin Households   

This is a guide to help Darebin residents transition away from gas and towards an efficient all-electric home. Each page introduces free, expert support from Graham Moore, a retired Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Melbourne. Graham is a volunteer advisor with Darebin Climate Action Now (DCAN) and offers one-on-one support to renters and homeowners. Whether you are unsure where to start, need help understanding energy bills, or want guidance on appliance choices and solar installations, Graham is here to help.

He can meet you at a local café, library or over the phone, and the service is free for Darebin locals.

Quick Links

1. Why Electrify? Understanding the Energy Market and Your Role in the Transition
2. Getting Ready: What to Check Before You Begin
3. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
4. Make the Switch: Heating, Hot Water and Cooking
5. Solar, Batteries and EVs: Powering Your Future
6. Renters: What You Can Do Now

Darebin Climate Action Now (DCAN) is run by volunteers who want to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future. The information on this website, and provided by our volunteer expert Graham Moore, is general in nature. We recommend you seek independent advice applicable to your individual circumstances.