Easy ways to reduce energy bills

LEARN how to prevent heat loss in the home this winter with a series of workshops organised by Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions, or BREAZE.

Home energy efficiency workshops will be held virtually for four Wednesdays on Zoom, and for four Sundays face-to-face at local neighbourhood centres.

The workshops, led by Dale Boucher an accredited Victorian Energy Scorecard Assessor, will offer free professional advice including how to get a better deal from energy retailers, cheap DIY fixes, the ins and outs of insulation, and how to prioritise bigger purchases to stop using gas.

There will also be one session for rental property managers whose clients, both renters and landlords, may have questions about these topics.

“Retro fitting the draughty old houses many of us have in Ballarat can be complicated,” said Mary Debrett on behald of the BREAZE board.

“As a professional in this field, Dale has a wealth of tips and know-how that can help locals stay warm, slash energy bills and get off gas; a win win for the hip pocket and the environment.”

The workshops will also discuss how to use a thermal imaging camera, which is available at the Ballarat Tool Library, to detect draughts.

“Our members tell us that having access to home energy efficiency advice and tools is helping them save on energy costs at a time when energy bills are increasing significantly,” said Ballarat Tool Library’s Greg Jakob.

The workshops conducted via zoom will begin Wednesday 14 August and the face-to-face sessions will begin Sunday 11 August.

Bookings can be made on the Trybooking website.