Category: Save Money on Your Home

Quick Answer Draught-proofing a Melbourne home costs $30–$200 in materials and takes 2–4 hours as...

Skill level: Beginner  |  Time: Half a day  |  Cost: $30–$150 depending on how...

Queensland’s Climate Smart Energy Savers program offers interest-free loans of up to $10,000 for QLD homeowners to upgrade to solar, battery storage, heat pump hot water systems, and energy-efficient appliances.

The NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) provides financial incentives to NSW households and businesses that upgrade to energy-efficient appliances, insulation, and heating/cooling systems.

Roof ventilation whirlybirds (turbine vents) do work — they extract hot air from roof spaces passively via wind-driven rotation, reducing ceiling temperatures by 5–15°C in summer.

Victoria’s Solar Victoria program has offered rebates of up to $1,400 for home EV charger installation, though availability changes with each funding round. A 7kW home charger costs $800–$2,000 installed before any rebate.

The average Melbourne household uses around 155,000 litres of water per year, costing approximately $700–$1,200 annually with South East Water or Yarra Valley Water.

Replace worn evaporative cooler pads in a Melbourne weekend for $80–$180. Old pads cause hard water mineral buildup, weak cooling, and wasted water. Step-by-step DIY guide with tools, materials, and safety tips.

To check your home’s insulation, go into the ceiling cavity with a torch and measure the insulation depth — Melbourne homes need R3.5–R5.0 ceiling insulation to meet current standards (Climate Zone 6).

Cleaning your split system air conditioner filters takes 15–20 minutes and costs nothing — just warm water and a soft cloth. Do it every 4–6 weeks during heavy use. A dirty filter can reduce efficiency by up to 30% and increase running costs by $80–$150 per year.

An uninsulated garage door lets cold air flood the entire garage and adjacent rooms, adding $200–$500 to annual heating bills in Melbourne.

Melbourne winters cause condensation on windows, walls, and in roof spaces — especially in older brick homes across the south-eastern suburbs.