Non-profits receive energy-saving upgrades

EFFICIENT hot water heat pumps will be donated to Anglesea’s Sirovilla Retirement Village, Phoenix Housing and Geelong’s Samaritan House, as part of Geelong Sustainability’s 2024 Electric Homes Program.

The initiative, which was first launched in 2023, aims to support households across the Barwon region to make the transition from gas to renewable energy and efficient electric appliances.

A key feature of the program is its partnership with community donation partners, with every system installed through the program contributing to the donation of solar panel systems and hot water heat pumps to not-for-profit organisations across the region.

As one of this year’s community donation partners, Sirovilla Retirement Village, which provides affordable aged care units and housing to seniors, was the first to receive its donation, with two efficient Reclaim hot water heat pumps installed at its Anglesea site earlier this week by program delivery partner Too Hot To Handle.

A rooftop solar system, to be installed by fellow delivery partner Winki Energy, will also be donated to another local non-profit organisation in the coming months, with the recipient still to be revealed.

Geelong Sustainability chief executive officer Jane Spence said the donation partnership is an important piece in the organisation’s Electric Homes Program.

“As a community-driven initiative, we are delighted to be able to give back to local not-for-profit organisations that are making a difference to others in our community – helping them take climate action and save on energy bills, directing funding and energy to where it’s needed most,” she said.

Sirovilla Retirement Village manager Vicky Chettleburgh said the organisation was excited to be involved in the program and for its residents to reap the benefits.

“We are thrilled to be receiving hot water heat pumps for our residents, that will see significant cost savings for them and will reduce our carbon emissions, which we’re very proud of,” she said.

Geelong Sustainability is now preparing to launch the third edition of its highly successful program, with more information to be released in the coming months.