​On 23rd, 24th and 25th May 2022 two of our members completed Voluntary Home Energy Efficiency Advisor training provided by the Hume Community Power Hub,  https://www.communitypowerhub.net.au/hume/.

Community Power Hubs provide grants for community groups to install renewable energy and undertake energy audits, https://www.communitypowerhub.net.au/.

Indigo Power  https://indigopower.com.au/about-us/, and GV Community Energy https://www.gvce.com.au/ are jointly delivering the Hume Community Power Hub.

Once endorsed our Voluntary members will be able to advise about improving Home Energy Efficiency.  We hope to then have a contact form here to use this service.

​Peter Maddock

Following the cancellation of the Tuesday 24 July Session 3 Workshop the remaining  schedule is as follows;

Session 3 will now be on Tuesday 21 August at 7.00pm-9.00pm and will provide additional information on Lighting, Draft Proofing and Insulation as we realise that these topics were not dealt with in sufficient detail at the last session.

Session 4 will be on Wednesday September 26 from 7.00pm-9.00pm and will provide information on Windows, Hot Water and Heating & Cooling.

The remaining topics, Appliances and Cooking, Energy Monitoring & Control and Solar Power, may be dealt with in a 5th session either later this year or early in 2019.

Download the workshop flyer.

RSVP Sunday before session, Phone/SMS Peter on 0418 135 330
Email, peter_maddock@iprimus.com.au.
Or submit details via our Contact Form.  Include Session Number in Comments,
http://www.reb.org.au/contact.html

​The workshops are held at the Benalla Gliding Club from 7 until 9 pm

The REB Efficiency Group had its second meeting on Tuesday June 26th at the Benalla Gliding Club. 

Howard asked us to think about orientation and how this might affect the comfort and efficiency of our homes.  The movement of the sun around our homes is very predictable.  Ideally the living area is best facing north to allow penetration of winter sun, however eaves will largely exclude the sun in the hot summer when the sun is high in the sky.  Sleeping and utility areas are better placed on the south side of the house.

The Australian Government website Your Home has an excellent guide to Passive Design, http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design.

Peter provided a brief outline of the Energy Freedom Home stepwise process of improving the energy efficiency of your home until eventually it can, after installation of solar panels, become a net exporter of energy.

As Peter's home has a northerly facing living area he is investigating better utilising this aspect of the home to make it more comfortable and energy efficient.  This could include replacing northerly windows with doors to allow more winter sun access.  These doors would then also allow access to an outdoor living area which would become a private area after changes to fencing.  He is also considering insulation, draft proofing, and windows.  Peter recommended Sustainability Victoria's video,  Energy Efficiency at Home.

Renewable Energy Benalla's Efficiency Group is conducting a series of workshops commencing Tuesday 22nd of May, from 7.00 until 9.00pm at the Benalla Gliding Club, Samaria Road, Benalla. RSVP Sunday before Session.

​Titled “Wipe Out your Gas and Electricity Bills - Come and Find Out How” the series looks at options to improve energy efficiency in our homes.  These improvements can increase the comfort of our homes and reduce energy costs. 

The series commences with an overview of how energy efficiency supports the Renewable Energy Benalla goal of Benalla becoming a Net Zero Stationary Energy City by 2028.

Session 1 - Tuesday 22 May:  Overview of project. Hear about the new Victorian Residential Efficiency Scorecard.  Major emphasis on reading your meter to establish baseline energy use. Please bring in your power bills.

Session 2 - Tuesday 26 June -  Lighting, Draft Proofing and Insulation.

Session 3 - Tuesday 24 July - Windows, Appliances & Cooking and Heating & Cooling.

Session 4 - Tuesday 21 August -  Hot Water, Energy Monitoring & Control and Solar Power. 

We encourage you to bring in your power bills to establish your baseline energy use.

Full details in REB's  'Wipe Out Gas and Electricity Bills'  flyer.

A light supper will be available at the end of the evenings.

RSVP by the Sunday before a session - let us know about additional participants phone Peter 0418 135 330, AH Howard 0409 504 420.