Improving the energy performance of housing through energy efficiency and electrification is one way to reduce energy costs for First Nations households and communities.

Energy efficiency is providing the same or better service using less energy.

Home energy efficiency includes electrification, which means replacing fossil fuels in the home, like gas stoves and heaters, with electrically-powered equivalents, such as induction stoves and heat pump hot water systems. These replacements are typically more efficient, reducing energy demand, and therefore reduce energy costs.

Learn more about home energy efficiency and electrification here

The First Nations Clean Energy Network is part of the Efficient Electric Homes Collaboration (EEHC) — a cohort of some 65 organisations from across social, energy, climate, local government, health, research and industry sectors all working towards efficient and electric Australian homes. 

EEHC recently released its ‘Roadmap for Efficient and Electric Homes’. The Roadmap sets out the actions required from governments and decision-makers to upgrade homes, and how to co-ordinate and prioritise these actions.

It also identifies of number of recommendations to improve energy performance in First Nations households, and therefore reduce energy costs.

These recommendations come from the First Nations Clean Energy Network’s submission to the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy consultation.

Priority Recommendations

• Phase out gas in First Nations community / social housing by 2030. 
• Leverage partnerships to conduct comprehensive housing assessments of existing stock to identify deficiencies, prioritise upgrades and address energy inefficiencies in First Nations housing stock. 
• Directly invest in energy audits and deep and accelerated upgrades for First Nations housing and utilise this investment to (i) support new First Nations business development and local manufacturing; and (ii) support training and job creation with First Nations people and in First Nations communities. 
• Develop a “First Nations Electrification Program” (which should also include financial incentives and affordable financing, including grants) which would be designed to support fuel shifting to electric appliances (e.g. replace existing inefficient heating and cooling systems with efficient reverse cycle air conditions; replace inefficient hot water systems with heat pump hot water systems; replace gas cooking systems with efficient induction electrical systems; plan for electrification of transport systems including electric vehicles, etc.) 
• Establish a funding pool to be called “Renewable Energy Funding for First Nations Housing” the purpose of which is to install renewable energy technologies (like solar and battery storage) on First Nations housing - noting the positive impact of rooftop solar on reducing electricity costs and improving energy security for First Nations households. 
• Mandatory energy performance reporting and disclosure requirements for any Australian Government funding directed towards First nations housing - requirement to (a) report on energy performance of portfolios and (b) measure and address financed emissions in First Nations housing portfolios. 

Additional Recommendations 

• Strengthen and enforce energy efficiency regulations and standards for residential buildings, incorporating First Nations perspectives and cultural considerations. 
• Implement reforms to metering and payment regulations and protections to ensure more robust payment assistance protections and support. Reforms should respond to community needs and involve community developed models. 
• The Federal Government, in partnership with state and territory governments, build on existing social housing upgrade funding to establish a multi-year program to fully fund energy performance and climate-resilience upgrades for all First Nations housing before 2030. 
• Mandate minimum standards for appliances being sold in remote communities, and regional towns and centres (Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards) 
• Assist First Nations residents in accessing federal and state financial incentives and subsidies for energy upgrades with targeted communications and ‘all-in-one' concierge services and vetted providers. 

Read the roadmap