The challenge
Using energy more efficiently where we live
It is becoming more expensive to keep the buildings we live in warm or cool to match the seasons, heat water and cook food, light up rooms, watch our favourite shows, and pursue our work and hobbies.
We need to be more efficient — Australian households are responsible for a significant chunk of energy use and carbon emissions. But there some simple ways we can save on power bills and lower emissions at home.
Home energy saving tips from our experts:
- Our top tips on renovating or retrofitting for energy-efficiency
- How do I use air conditioning more efficiently?
- No sweat - hot tips for a cool summer
- Keeping your older house warm without breaking the bank
Our response
Tackling energy efficiency from every angle
In response, CSIRO has been working on a wide range of research that impact how we assess housing design and materials, choose appliances and manage air temperature and ventilation.
We've been investigating how our behaviours around energy use are changing and how storytelling in the mass media can achieve environmental and social impact.
The 1950s called, they want their energy model back
With apartments now the dominant form of new housing in NSW, understanding how their residents use energy is more important than ever.
Dr Pippa Soccio is leading Australia's largest-ever investigation into apartment energy use, challenging outdated assumptions from the 1950s that still underpin energy efficiency models.
Her two-year research project involves monitoring energy use in 430 apartments - a process that has required innovative solutions to address logistical and recruitment challenges. The research will provide unprecedented insights into how modern apartment dwellers use energy, helping us refine future policies and efficiency standards.
Mind the energy gap
As Australia moves towards net zero by 2050, there is a crucial gap in our understanding of the energy performance of existing homes.
The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) sets standards for new dwellings and now Michael Ambrose and his team are trialling a method to extend NatHERS to existing homes.
New laser scanning technology - accessible via an iPad, can assess a double-storey home in 20 minutes, making energy ratings more efficient and affordable. The study will provide homeowners with a trial energy efficiency rating certificate and upgrade recommendations while also exploring how banks could factor energy performance into mortgage assessments, potentially offering financial incentives for energy efficient homes.
Lights... camera... sustainable action!
CSIRO’s behavioural scientists contributed to Renovate or Rebuild, a reality TV series promoting sustainable housing choices, by advising on sustainability content and behavioural science strategies to enhance impact. The show provided practical energy efficiency tips based on good science, covering design, orientation, materials, and appliances.
The first season, aired on Channel 9Life in 2021, reached over 3.2 million viewers, leading to a second season in 2024 and a third in development. Our evaluation found that viewers were significantly more likely to seek higher home energy star ratings, a key factor in reducing residential energy use.
The project was a collaboration with organisations including The Blue Tribe Company, NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change, and RACE for 2030.