How to improve energy efficiency in older homes

Older Australian homes have a unique charm, but many struggle with comfort and high energy bills. If your house was built before the 1990s, it may lack modern energy-efficient features, making it hot in summer, cold in winter, and expensive to run. Here’s how you can make your vintage home more energy efficient.

Understand your home’s energy performance

Many older homes were built before energy efficiency standards became mandatory. While new homes are now required to meet at least a seven-star energy rating, an estimated 70% of Australian homes were constructed before these standards and often have a rating below three stars.

The first step in improving energy efficiency is understanding where your home stands. Programs like the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) allow assessors to provide a home energy rating certificate. These certificates highlight areas where upgrades can make a big difference, helping you see exactly where your home loses energy and what can be done to improve comfort and reduce costs.

Small changes can make a big difference

Improving your home’s energy efficiency doesn’t always require a large budget. Simple changes can have a noticeable impact on comfort and bills. Switching to LED lighting, for example, can dramatically reduce electricity use compared to older incandescent bulbs. These lights last longer and consume far less energy, making them a quick and easy upgrade with immediate benefits.

Draught-proofing is another simple but effective strategy. Sealing gaps around floors, walls, and windows can prevent heat from escaping in winter and keep cool air inside during the summer months. This not only makes your home more comfortable but also reduces the workload on your heating and cooling systems. Even sealing bathroom exhaust fans can stop energy wastage while improving indoor air quality.

Adding or upgrading insulation, particularly in ceiling spaces, is a highly effective improvement for older homes. Ceiling insulation is relatively low-cost but can have a high impact by maintaining a more consistent indoor temperature year-round. It keeps the home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, lowering energy bills and increasing comfort.

Consider larger upgrades for long-term savings

For homeowners willing to invest more, larger retrofits can lead to significant long-term savings. Installing solar panels and batteries can cut electricity bills while reducing reliance on the grid. These systems allow you to store energy generated during the day for use at night, helping offset the rising costs of electricity.

Upgrading to double-glazed windows is another high-impact improvement. Double glazing reduces heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, helping maintain a stable indoor temperature. Over time, this upgrade can provide significant savings and make your home more comfortable, particularly in older properties that were not originally designed for energy efficiency.

Investing in energy-efficient appliances is also worth considering. Modern appliances consume less electricity and water, offering ongoing savings while reducing your household’s environmental footprint. Combined with other upgrades, these changes can transform an older home into a comfortable, low-cost, and eco-friendly living space.

Energy ratings could boost property value

Energy-efficient homes are increasingly valued in the property market. Research shows that buyers and renters are willing to pay more for homes with higher energy star ratings. When looking at properties, it’s important to ask about energy performance - currently, many people know more about the energy efficiency of their fridge than their own home.

By improving your home’s energy efficiency, you not only lower energy costs and increase comfort, but you can also make your property more attractive to future buyers or tenants. As energy ratings become more common and potentially mandatory at the point of sale or lease, having a high rating could be a significant advantage.

Take the first step

A home energy assessment, which typically costs around $300, provides tailored recommendations for your property. Assessors can identify where your home loses energy, suggest affordable DIY fixes, and highlight high-impact upgrades.

From simple draught-proofing to installing solar panels or upgrading insulation, knowing where to focus your efforts is key to achieving a more comfortable and cost-effective home.

For personalised advice on improving your older home’s energy efficiency, talk to the experts at Compare Energy on 1300 790 106.