You’ve got the power!
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, oodie or dressing gown are all great ways to keep warm on the couch. Heat packs and hot water bottles are also a wonderful way to warm up. 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, one shower. According to energy.gov.au, water heating accounts for 15-30% of energy usage 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. You'll reduce your energy usage and might even start your day with a singalong! 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 you’re getting the best deal for your situation and make sure any concessions or discounts have been applied. Energy consumption in Tasmania peaks in winter, which means electricity bills do too. Here are some hot tips to help keep you warm on a budget. Win a $50 voucher! Do you have an energy or money saving tip to share? We’d love to hear it. We’ll be sharing them over on our Housing Choices Tasmania Facebook page. We’ll also select a winning tip at random to win a $50 voucher. Send your tips through to the Community Development team on 1300 312 447 or communitydevelopmenttas@hcau.org.au.
Above: Next Steps recipient Melanie with Housing Officer Georga.
Next Steps Incentive
Hobart resident Melanie was recently presented with an iPad, provided to her through our Next Steps Incentive program.
The program supports young residents to take their next steps in education, whether it’s a trade, support school or a more formal educational setting like university. Melanie, who completed short courses in Colour Design and Interior Design last year, will begin a Certificate 4 in Interior Design at TasTAFE this week. The iPad will be used to draw sketches and access her course materials. Melanie will be studying online. “I’m really glad I can do this at home. Going into class would have been hard for me. I’m all set up at home, and I focus much better there, too.” she said. The Next Steps Incentive provides up to $1,000 to help Housing Choices Tasmania residents cover the out-of-pocket costs of education and training.
If you’re aged between 15 and 25 years and enrolled in training or studies at TasTAFE, a support school, college or university, you could be eligible. To find out more, please contact our Community Development team on 1300 312 447 or communitydevelopmenttas@ hcau.org.au .
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