Julian does his block to help cut power bills

May 9, 2018

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Jim O'Rourke

One of Sydney’s leading architects has signed on with Northern Beaches Council to spruik the benefits of making homes more energy efficient and cost effective.

Julian Brenchley, the architecture adviser on the Channel 9 reality program The Block, is the ambassador for council’s new Charge Ahead initiative. The project is designed to encourage those who are renovating existing homes, or building new ones, to install devices and infrastructure that could slash power bills as well as help clean up the environment.

Council set up Charge Ahead as part of its pledge to implement five actions to tackle climate change and reduce pollution as part ofits membership of the Cities Power Partnership. Mr Brenchley met with Mayor Michael Regan, Federal MP for Mackellar Jason Falinski and council’s climate change councillor Greg Bourne at a building site in Manly’s Stuart St where semi-detached houses are being extended upwards. He said the renovations to the brick 1920s home would include thermal insulation; wiring to allow solar power; skylights and energy-saving electrical fittings.

“These homes are being futureproofed for solar,” Mr Brenchley said. “As ambassador for Charge Ahead, I will back best practice”.

As part of Charge Ahead, council is offering three free services for residents including SunSPOT — an online calculator allowing homeowners and businesses to estimate the potential for electricity generation from solar power on their roof.

Council also offers free advice — Our Energy Future — on how to reduce domestic power bills including tips on solar power and insulation. “As a council we have just made our five CPP pledges that will see new initiatives in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport and working with our community,” Cr Regan said.

Here are some quick links to the Northern Beaches Council's resources:

CHARGE AHEAD:

https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/environment/environmental-programs-and-resources/charge-ahead

SUNSPOT

http://pv-map.apvi.org.au/sunspot

OUR ENERGY FUTURE

https://ourenergyfuture.org.au/