Page 2362 - Week 06 - Thursday, 10 May 2012
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board” to control standby or active power consumption for nests of computers and other home entertainment equipment. Or maybe they will be offered the installation of a real-time in-home display to help change consumer behaviour. This might be just for electricity or could cover both electricity and gas. These are likely to be at very low or no cost to the consumer.
As I said the energy efficiency measures will reduce bills for Canberrans not just once but on a continuing basis over the life of the installed measures. These provide significant reductions. For example, a rental tenant who installs just one stand-by power controller and a single water-efficient showerhead could achieve savings of $287 per annum for an up-front cost of only $140 after incentives as a result of the scheme.
A homeowner who is assisted by the utility to install insulation and so increase the star rating of their home will generate savings for themselves of around $500 per annum, while increasing the value of their property. Equally a landlord who installs insulation and so increases the star rating of their property increases the rentability of the property and the capital value of their asset, and the tenant makes direct savings on their utility bills.
Of course the exact nature of how electricity retailers will deliver the eligible activities to ACT residents is for the retailers to establish. It is, after all, a market-based scheme. What we do know is that the mix of activities eligible under the legislation will be offered at very competitive pricing and that quite a few will be at a nominal or no cost to participants, whilst saving householders on average about $300 on their electricity bills by the year 2015.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Hargreaves, a supplementary.
MR HARGREAVES: Can the minister provide a brief background, please, on how low income households will benefit from having improvements to the energy efficiency of their homes?
MR CORBELL: Again I thank Mr Hargreaves. The government has made sure that low income households will be provided with additional incentives to participate in the energy efficiency scheme by the 25 per cent priority household target which the legislation imposes. The retailers will employ targeted marketing campaigns to engage this group of consumers and overcome some of the up-front cost barriers that otherwise act as a real disincentive for low income households to participate.
In Victoria and in South Australia the schemes have been exceeding the targets set for low income earner participation, which means direct, tangible savings for more people who are in that most vulnerable group in our community. Importantly, and it is often overlooked, many of the eligible measures also mean much improved, year-round comfort and amenity for residents, not just measured in dollars but of great comfort and value, therefore, to the individuals concerned.
It is important to note too that these schemes have been strongly supported by electricity retailers and governments of all persuasions. That is contrary to the claims
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