Victoria Home Stories Autumn 2024

You’ve got the power! Energy consumption in Victoria peaks in winter, which means electricity bills do, too. Here are some hot tips to help keep you warm on a budget.

How can I remove mould and mildew?

What should I do if I take actions to prevent mould and condensation, but mould won’t go away? If you are having problems keeping the mould away or have further questions, please contact your Housing Officer or our Maintenance Team on 1300 312 447. Do not brush mould as this releases spores into the air. The best thing you can do to prevent the mould from happening is to make sure your home is dry and well-aired. • Put straight white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray directly on problem areas. Do not rinse. The smell will go away after a few hours. All these products should be applied as soon as the mould appears as it is harder to remove it once it has been there a while. Carefully remove excess mould with a damp cloth and throw away the cloth afterward. The best way to treat mould is to kill it as soon as it appears and check it daily. There are several products that kill mould or mildew, some natural remedies include: • Add 1tsp of tea tree oil with 1 cup of warm water. Put it in a spray bottle and shake. Then spray on problem areas but do not rinse.

Heat yourself first. Heating a whole house or unit can become expensive. You can reduce your energy usage and reduce your power bill by focussing on warming your body up instead. A blanket or throw is a great way to keep warm on the couch, or you could try an oodie or dressing gown. Cook once, eat twice. Next time you cook a meal, make up a double batch. This works especially well for winter warmers like soups, casseroles and curries. You can enjoy one meal now, and one later... And reduce your energy usage. One song shower. According to energy.gov.au water heating accounts for 15-30% of energy use in Australian homes. Next time you’re in the shower, pop on your favourite song and challenge yourself to finish your shower before the song does. Check in. If something doesn’t look right on your bill, contact

your energy retailer to check it. While you’re on the phone, you can also double check that you’re getting the best energy deal for you and make sure any concessions or discounts have been applied.

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