Get Yourself an Interest-free Green Loan

I want to share with you Australia’s new world record and unfortunately it is nothing to be proud about.  According to The CO2 Energy Emissions Index, released by risk assessment company Maplecroft, Australia is now the world's highest per capita carbon dioxide emittors from energy use, in the world.
On average a person emitts 20.58 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, we have overtaken the US - responsible for 19.78 tonnes per head. 

What can you do to reduce your Pollution?

1)    Make your house carbon neutral and get your street to follow your lead. Remember, from little things big things grow and everyone’s actions count.
2)    Do what you can with what you’ve got. You may be starting out with no or a low budget to achieve you goal to carbon neutrality. If so, or even if you have some money set aside, use the government’s money first. The first step in your journey is to become as energy efficient as possible through your habits, then install energy efficient or energy producing technologies and then offset whatever is left over.

Use Government Help to be more Energy Efficient

The government is giving out 3.8 billion dollars to help Australian Homes become more energy efficient. It starts with a Home Sustainability assessment, normally $250, now free through the Federal Government Green Loans Program. The Assessment gives a clear picture of where you are at as far as sustainability goes and then helps you develop a game plan with an experts help.
The expert may highlight you take too long showers, you have a second fridge that you never use, which is inefficient and adding to your your already expensive electricity bills. The experts will also remind you that leaving on non energy efficient light bulbs and standby power (TV and Video Lights) adds 10% to your total energy bill. Simple actions like switching of standby can save you money and also the environment.
The assessor will produce a report highlighting the green technology you could retro fit to your house and explain to you all the local council, state government and federal rebates you could be eligible for. Once you have decided on the products you want from Solar Power System (Up to $7500 worth of Federal Rebates), Energy efficient how water ($1000 from the state government, $1600 from the Federal Government and a small rebate from your local council) and a new super efficient fridge. Then the Assessor (paid for by the government) will show you how to apply for a $10,000 interest free Green Loan as part of the Federal Government Energy Efficient Home Program.

So you have spent this $10,000 Green Loan:

• A 1.5 kW Solar Power System Linked to the Grid saving around 30% of the 20 T bring you down to 17 T.
• You install roof installation for $500 because the government paid $1600 as an instant rebate. Saving you 40% on your heating and cooling costs. Bringing you down to 15 T.
• Then you decide to get rid of you old electric Hot Water Service and save about 40% on you electricity bills. Saving a further 8 T, now you are down to 7 T.
• You take the assessors advice stop using stand by on the TV and stereo and install effecient light globes. Saving 10% on energy and you are at 5 T.
• You buy green power or some Carbon Credits that help a developing country prevent de-efforestation by replanting trees. Covering the final T and costing about $150 a year.

So your payment of about $2650 PA for 4 years and them $150 a year after that... You and your house are doing your bit, you have added any where up to 3% to the value of your property and make the envy of your neighbours...
All sounds too good to be true well for once it may not be... 
Now your house is more energy efficient, your next task is to make you workplace carbon neutral.

Written by Sam Lane, Springday Environment Expert.

Back to Environment.

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