Our energy-saving tips will help you turn your rental property into a place that's comfortable and attractive to renters all year round! ‍

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With the recent rises costs of energy globally, it makes sense to look into how to make your investment property more energy-efficient. Electricity is an essential part of life for appliances, hot water, home entertainment, and those heating and cooling systems: they're crucial to life, but they don't equate to lower energy bills.

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Despite the growing popularity of solar power, it isn't always affordable or suitable for everyone due to the large investment involved and it's also not appropriate for every home. You might not pay the electricity bills for your rental but it’s ultimately in your best interest to care as you’ll attract better tenants and they are more likely to stay in a home with a comfortable environment that has lower utility bills - a win for you as a property owner. ‍

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Check out our top 3 tips for saving energy in your investment property.

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Tip 1 - Start with the right tools and equipment to heat and cool your home‍

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Australia has a diverse climate - Depending on the location of your property, cooling and/or heating can account for 20% to 50% of the energy usage.

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• Installing ceiling fans is a great way to become more energy-efficient. Fans are inexpensive, and quiet and can be installed in most rooms compared with air conditioners.
• Blackout curtains and window glazing are an affordable way also help to keep your property cool in the summer and help keep the heat in during the winter.
• If your property has an air conditioner, you could encourage tenants to set timers and keep the air-conditioner at an optimal temperature depending on the season to keep their costs under control.
• Ensuring you stay on top of maintenance helps too - ensuring that air conditioner filters are cleaned and serviced as often as they should be to help with running efficiency.‍

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Tip 2 - Seal off those gaps and insulate your home‍

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Australian houses are known for being built to keep the heat out and can be a nightmare to keep warm in the winter. Try to seal off any gaps that let in draughts from doors and windows to help keep the heat in.

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Home insulation makes a big difference to a property’s energy performance. It’s worthwhile investigating either replacing or adding insulation to your roof and/or ceiling floor and walls. It’s recommended that you select a high R-value insulation and get it installed professionally. As an example, R2.5 is the minimum recommendation for walls in places like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. ‍

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Tip 3 - Water Matters too!‍

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The second-largest energy user in the home, after heating and cooling it, is water heating.

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To reduce heat wastage, a plumber can make sure that your thermostat is set to the right temperature and insulate external hot water pipes. Ensure your water boiler is serviced regularly and any leaks are fixed promptly.

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For appliances like dishwashers or washing machines, you should compare water and energy efficiency star ratings between models and choose WELS-rated appliances. For fixtures like taps and shower heads, you could install AAA WELS-rated fittings in bathrooms and laundry.‍

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It all makes a difference.‍

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There are many little things that you can do to make your property more energy-efficient, especially during these cooler months, to ensure your tenants are comfortable.

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If you’re looking for a tenant and your home is equipped with energy-saving appliances and proper insulation, this can make a difference to the interest you get for your property when it's on the market. Quality tenants appreciate and are attracted to properties that are more energy efficient and by investing in these measures, you may also improve your gains if you decide to sell.

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You may qualify for rebates to offset the upfront costs of energy or water-saving features so check with your local council and your energy provider for more information on what could be available to you.

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