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About Hume Home Energy Upgrades

The Hume Home Energy Upgrades program helps residents in the City of Hume make their homes more comfortable and energy efficient.

We aim to make it easy and cost-effective for you to improve your home’s energy performance, saving you money, improving your comfort and health, and reducing your carbon emissions.

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Update: Temporary pause on solar and electrification registrations

The Hume Home Energy Upgrades program is currently not accepting new registrations from residents seeking quotes on rooftop solar, heating and cooling, hot water, or induction cooktops (as of Friday 6 December 2024).

The appointed supplier, EnviroGroup, is focusing on helping residents who have already registered by providing quotes and completing installations for those who wish to proceed. There has been a high level of interest in the program from the Hume community; and there have been challenges with the capacity of the supplier.

Hume City Council is working with Yarra Energy Foundation to select and appoint a new supplier for solar and efficient electric upgrades in early 2025. Further updates will be communicated on this page.

Insulation and draughtproofing still available

Hume residents can continue to register for insulation and draught-proofing upgrades. Once registered, the supplier, Enviroflex, will contact you to arrange a free, no-obligation quote, in the usual way.

For residents who have registered for solar and electrification quotes or are progressing to installation

If you registered for solar or electric upgrades by Friday 6 December 2024, you will still receive no obligation quotes, or you may have already received quotes, from EnviroGroup, the supplier. If you decide to go ahead, your upgrades will be installed as quoted.

If you have paid a deposit for an installation, EnviroGroup will progress the installation as agreed. YEF and Council continue to have full confidence in the quality of installations and products quoted by EnviroGroup.

For any queries about the Hume Home Energy Upgrades program, please contact Yarra Energy Foundation on (03) 7037 6040, email information@yef.org.au

Which Home Energy Upgrades are included in the program?

Reverse cycle heating and cooling: Room heating is typically the largest energy user in the home. A reverse cycle air conditioner (or split system) is around four times more efficient than using gas. Gas heating is no longer a cheap heating source.

Electric hot water heat pump: The second largest energy user is usually hot water heating. Hot water heat pump systems are much more efficient than other systems and work well in Melbourne.

Rooftop solar: A typical Victorian household can save more than $1,000 a year on electricity bills by installing rooftop solar, with the largest savings enjoyed in homes with all electric appliances.

Ceiling, wall and underfloor insulation: Thick, continuous insulation provides year-round comfort by keeping warm air in during winter and excluding heat in summer. Our vetted supplier can install in homes without insulation or top up existing insulation.

Draught proofing: Gaps and cracks, such as around windows, doors and exhaust fans can account for up to 25% of heat loss in winter, and allow hot air to enter in summer. Sealing gaps prevents air leakage and improves comfort.

Induction cooktops: These cooktops heat up quickly while leaving surrounding surfaces cool to touch. They avoid the health risks of emissions from gas stoves, providing a safe, efficient way to cook.

Why upgrade your home’s energy efficiency?

Save money: By making your home more energy efficient you can reduce your energy bills. The less energy you use, the more money you save.

Increase comfort: Well insulated, weatherproof homes stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer. This makes your home more comfortable to live in all year round and means you don’t have to use as much energy for heating and cooling.

Improve health: Switching from gas to efficient, electric appliances can reduce exposure to harmful pollutants, making your home healthier. Plus, good insulation in conjunction with effective ventilation, moderates indoor temperature conditions which can help prevent dampness and mould, improving the air you breathe.

Benefit the environment: Generating your own solar energy, using more energy-efficient appliances and reducing your overall energy use are all ways you can reduce your carbon emissions and help our environment.

Increase property value: Energy-efficient upgrades can increase the value of your home or make it more comfortable and attractive to renters.

The Hume Home Energy Upgrades program aims to provide you with the information and support you need to choose the right energy upgrades for your home. You can use the Hume Go Electric Plan to plan out replacing existing hot water systems, heating, cooling and cooktops with efficient electric options.

Hume City Council have partnered with Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF), a not-for-profit working to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy. YEF’s energy experts have vetted suppliers and products, ensuring that Hume residents have access to reliable suppliers and good quality products at affordable prices. YEF can also provide free advice on priorities to save energy and improve home comfort or help you review quotes.

Program Partners

This program is a partnership between Hume City Council and the Yarra Energy Foundation, with the following Home Energy Upgrade suppliers.

EnviroGroup install rooftop solar PV systems, reverse-cycle air conditioners, hot water heat pumps and induction cooktops.

EnviroGroup has a 20 year history of delivering the best renewable energy and sustainability solutions to their customers and believe in creating a better future both environmentally and socially.

The Hume Home Energy Upgrades program is currently not accepting new registrations from residents seeking quotes on rooftop solar, heating and cooling, hot water, or induction cooktops (as of Friday 6 December 2024).

EnviroFlex install ceiling, wall and underfloor insulation, and draught proofing.

EnviroFlex are dedicated insulation specialists committed to improving your thermal and acoustic comfort and reducing your energy costs and carbon footprint.

These suppliers have been selected for their technical expertise, customer service, high-quality affordable products and installation works, and their commitment to helping people improve the comfort and energy efficiency of their homes.

When you register your interest in the program, you will be contacted by the relevant supplier(s) who can provide advice and visit your home to prepare a free, no obligation quote for one or more home energy upgrades to suit your needs. If you decide to proceed, they will install your products.

If you have any questions along the way, you can speak to the team at YEF on (03) 7037 6040.