LVHEUP - Latrobe Valley Home Energy Upgrade Program

The Latrobe Valley Home Energy Upgrade Program aimed at providing energy-efficiency upgrades to 1000 low-income households with a budget over 1 million €. It was delivered by Hills Energy Solutions, a heating and cooling company local to the Latrobe Valley, to provide low-income households energy efficient improvements and renewable energy, while stimulating local employment opportunities. Upgrades could include: split systems, solar PV, water heaters, insulation, energy efficient lighting, draught proofing, window furnishings.

The project started in 2018 and was completed in 2020. It benefited the low-income households and addressed the topics of heating and cooling system, indoor comfort, insulation, electrification, quality of dwelling, employment, energy efficiency and vulnerable consumers.

Some concrete key performance indicators (KPIs) of the project included:

• Homes upgraded: 1000. Products installed: 2706 . Participant satisfaction surveys: 185.
• Upgrade types were: water heating (35%), split systems (29%), insulation (14%), solar PV (13%), heating (9%).
• Surveys indicated that 83% of participants were completely satisfied with the upgrades they received.