Living Greener

Living Greener- Home Sustainability Assessments

A Green Loans Partner

Living Greener is a partner in the Australian Government's Green Loans Program, now called the Green Start Program. Green Start is funding free home sustainability assessments to show you how to save energy and water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Note - Important changes have been made to the Green Loans program. Please see
• www.environment.gov.au/greenloans
• www.climatechange.gov.au/government/programs-and-rebates/green-loans/about.aspx

What is the Green Loans Program?

The Australian Government's Green Loans Program is funding free home sustainability assessments

The assessment uncovers the best energy and water savings options for your home, plus practical ideas to get you started. In some cases it may be as simple as switching to energy efficient light bulbs and repairing leaking taps.

Your assessment may also recommend bigger projects like installing solar panels, grey water filtration systems and rainwater tanks.

Through Green Loans the Government is creating greener homes—ultimately helping around 900,000 Australian households save energy and water and look after the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

What is a free home sustainability assessment?

A qualified assessor will visit your home and advise you on the best actions to reduce your energy and water bills, increase the comfort of your home, and reduce damaging carbon pollution.

Your assessment will involve the physical inspection of major energy and water systems relating to thermal comfort, water heating, lighting, refrigeration, cooking, entertainment, water efficiency and outdoor consumption and waste management.

Your assessment will take around 1.5 hours depending on the amount of information readily available, the size of your property and the number of energy and water systems to check.

A few weeks after your assessment you receive a tailored home sustainability assessment report which is valid for six months. Your report recommends the best water and energy saving changes you can make to your property and practical information to help you get started.

How does it work?

The Green Loans Program is delivered in three steps.

Step 1 - Book your free home sustainability assessment

• At no cost, a qualified home sustainability assessor will visit your home to investigate energy and water consumption patterns to identify actions that your household can take to save energy and water.
• Only one free assessment will be available per applicant at a given address.

Step 2 - Receive your tailored home sustainability assessment report

• A few weeks after the assessment you receive a tailored home sustainability assessment report, including:
  • the best water and energy saving changes you can make to your home
  • practical information to get your household started.

Step 3 - Choose which recommended actions you will take to improve your home

• With a home sustainability assessment report, your household can make water and energy saving changes as simple or as large scale as you like.

Your household may simply accept the report and implement the simplest recommendations.

Eligibility and conditions

Free home sustainability assessment conditions

To be eligible to apply for a free home sustainability assessment or an interest-free Green Loan, you need to meet certain conditions. Applicants must be:

• aged 18 or over
• an Australian citizen, permanent resident and/or an Australian registered charity
• the dwelling owner, a trustee or renter listed on lease
• have an income below $250,000.

The house/property being assessed must:

• be in Australia or its territories
• have been completed and occupied for at least 12 months (not necessarily by the applicant).

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Common questions and answers are at: www.environment.gov.au/greenloans/households/faqs.html

Arrange a free home sustainability assessment now...

To book your free home sustainability assessment contact us