Rising energy prices and a more volatile climate means managing energy usage is more important than ever. A new energy efficiency project may help residents reduce energy use and save money this winter. (Photo: Adobe Stock via WSU license.)
Story by Gabiann Marin
In response to rising living costs, Western Sydney University’s Lithgow Transformation Hub is offering eligible residents an opportunity to take part in a unique informational study, which could result in huge savings as well as a better understanding of how to make more empowered choices about energy use. Gabiann Marin finds out more.
Key Points:
An accessible solution to high heating bills and emissions is being supported in Lithgow. It allows residents to measure their energy usage and learn how to save power and money over winter and throughout the year.
Through sharing information gathered during this project, Lithgow Transformation Hub, a community engagement campus of Western Sydney University, can help residents develop greater resilience to rising energy prices and climate uncertainty.
Even on a somewhat sunny first day of winter, the temperature in Lithgow has dropped to a chilly 4 degrees centigrade, with the forecast suggesting the cold could push the mercury down to around 2 degrees overnight. It’s a sure indication that heating bills are going to be a real focus for residents over winter, particularly for those already struggling with higher cost of living pressures and inefficient or limited heating options.
While rugging up is inevitable, huge energy bills don’t have to be, thanks to a new project running through the Lithgow Transformation Hub. The Energise your Savings: Powerpal Energy Monitoring project is offering up to 20 residents a free energy monitoring device, which they can use to help them understand and reduce their energy use, leading to savings across the year, not just in winter.
Twenty Lithgow households have an opportunity to learn more about, and reduce, their energy consumption through the Energise your Savings: Powerpal Energy Monitoring project (Photo: Adobe Stock via WSU license.)
The Powerpal Energy Monitor, an innovative device which works in combination with an Energy Smart Meter, can monitor general energy use as well as look at how much power individual devices and appliances are drawing at any given time, helping you to make smart choices about which ones to use and how to use them more effectively.
The monitor allows anyone to compare energy use charges at different times of the day and can provide great tips on ways to make appliances and heating options more energy efficient and cheaper.
The Powerpal Energy Monitoring Device can help anyone make better and cheaper energy choices. (Photo: Powerpal Website)
The Lithgow Transformation Hub has up to 20 Powerpal Energy Monitoring Devices available for those who sign up for the project which starts in the second week of June and continues through until mid-July.
Powerpal Energy Monitoring devices work with Smart Energy Meters, which have been rolling out across Australia over the last six years.
Smart meters connect to the internet and automatically transmit all energy data directly to the energy provider. This means information is uploaded daily and is a far more reliable indicator of energy consumption. This information is then communicated through daily usage graphs on individual monthly or quarterly bills to show the exact usage per day.
However, with a Powerpal Energy Monitor you can see your usage levels in real time, and make quick and efficient changes to energy consumption in real time, which means more opportunity to understand and reduce energy use and track how different activities affect daily energy costs.
This information is valuable not just for the individual, but for the whole community. Sharing the data gathered by the monitor during this project can help everyone make better energy choices going forward, even if they do not have a current Smart Meter or a Powerpal Energy Monitoring Device.
“That is why we are inviting residents, who have a smart meter installed, to take part in this project.” Natasha Markert, the casual programme coordinator who is overseeing this project for the Transformation Hub, explains. “People can save a lot of money simply by changing their energy habits.”
While the project is limited to 20 households, Nastasha believes it will benefit the wider community, as those involved in the project are asked to monitor their power use over four consecutive weeks using the Powerpal. Their findings, including any efforts they undertook to reduce their energy usage, will then be shared with the greater community through a short end of project survey. Later in the year a larger community wide Energise event will be held, where everyone in the community can learn about ways to save on their energy bills.
Light snow dusts a road near Lithgow (Photo: Adobe Stock via WSU license.)
The Powerpal Energy Monitors, which usually retail at $129 each, will be given free of charge to those who have signed up for the project, and is theirs to keep.
If you would like to be involved in the project there is still time to register. All you need to qualify for inclusion is:
To be a resident of the Lithgow LGA.
Have a smart meter installed on the property.
Be willing and able to download the Powerpal Energy Monitor App on a smart device or phone
Be willing and able to monitor energy use, using the Powerpal Energy Monitor, across four weeks, and use the information to help reduce energy usage over winter.
At the end of the project period, all participants will be asked to share their findings and activities through a short survey.
Smart Meters have been rolled out across Australia since 2017, and can help households monitor their energy usage. (Photo creative commons license).
How you can get involved:
Be part of the Energise Project
To take part in the project you must attend a Powerpal Energy Monitor collection session at the Lithgow Transformation Hub. You can register for a session by using this link:
Collection sessions will take place at the Lithgow Transformation Hub on Thursday the 13thof June at 6 pm and Friday the 14th of June at 2pm and run for approximately 45 mins, during which time you will be given your very own Powerpal device, as well as be fully briefed on how to use it. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions or concerns about the device or the project more generally.
If you would like further information on the project or the collection sessions, please contact the Lithgow Transformation Hub on 02 6354 4505 or 0410 305 254
Get to know your Smart Meter
Smart Meters offer information on your monthly bill which can help you determine when and how you are using energy across the billing cycle. Keeping an eye on your energy use and where there are fluctuations can help identify areas where you could be making savings.
If you don’t currently have a Smart Meter installed, you can upgrade free of cost by contacting your energy provider.
If you’re not sure if your property is equipped with a Smart Meter there are some easy ways to find out. The first is to know when your meter was installed. Under federal law any meter installed after December 2017 has to be a smart meter, so if you have had a new meter installed since that time, you have the smarter option.
Another way is to contact your energy provider and ask them if a smart meter is registered on your property. If it isn’t, you can take the opportunity to look into upgrading your current meter.
Snow in Lithgow (Photo: Adobe Stock via WSU license.)
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
We had a thoroughly enjoyable final Skill Share Saturday for the year yesterday with Qigong, Fashion Upcycling, Seed Saving and Bushcare! We shared seeds from local gardens and harvested carrots, as well as Mizuna, Broad Bean, Daikon and Land Cress seeds from the Planetary Health garden. We then packaged up (and shared) our first Upper Mountains Seed Savers packs for our fledgling Seed Bank. In Bushcare it`s very exciting to see whole new areas of the Planetary Health Precinct open up as we remove invasive weeds. It`s been a year of great progress as we`ve restored habitat for wildlife and given local native plants the opportunity to flourish and re-establish on the site.
Join the Planetary Health Centre this Sat 6 Dec for the last Skill Share Saturday of the year: Qigong at 9am, Seed Saving & Gardening Group at 10am, and Bushcare at 1.30pm. One perfect day with great company, great coffee and food, and great steps for living a healthy balanced life, while also contributing to the health of our planet for present and future generations. All ages welcome!
Registration links in profile and below.
Register for Qigong here: https://bit.ly/48wlHjD Register for Seed Saving & Gardening here: https://bit.ly/4prcRe7 Register for Bushcare here: https://bit.ly/4oAFDrz
We have a rare opportunity to learn about the newest and best possible ways to support family and community members struggling with mental health issues, at a free talk and afternoon tea provided by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 Nov. Hear from Peter Joseph AM, Chair of the Black Dog Institute, and Professor Helen Christensen AO, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and former Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Black Dog Institute. They`ll be in conversation with journalist Emma Rossi. Dr Christensen is a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
This Saturday Sherlie McMillan from Rotarians 4 Planetary Health will be running a workshop on How to use a sewing machine from 9am at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Learn how to set up a machine, service it, troubleshoot when it`s not sewing correctly, and learn some basic sewing skills.
Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/how-to-use-your-sewing-machine
NB. This class is a prerequisite for our very popular Fashion Upcycling classes held once a month.
We`re thrilled to announce that Professor Helen Christensen, a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression, will be joining the conversation with Peter Joseph AM from the Black Dog Institute and journalist Emma Rossi at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 November. Helen was the Executive Director and Chief Scientist for the Black Dog Institute for 10 years and has now been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. This free event is being co-hosted by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Human composting is increasingly being legalised around the world. Read about it in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/legalising-human-composting/
If you’d like to see this option available in NSW you can now sign a live petition to the NSW Parliament here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/43QIHbz
Thanks to everyone who contributed to deliver a fantastic Disaster Risk Awareness Expo and Family Day yesterday. @mark_greenhill_mayor opened the event at which we celebrated the 13th birthday of Betty the Asbestos Education House; @firecoat_au demonstrated and launched its range of fire retardant products that can help protect homes, gardens and even electricity poles; the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit was launched; Santa arrived and delighted young and old; and @plantinspired99 and Action for Animals fed us all with a delicious plant-based sausage sizzle. The day was filled with talks, workshops, stalls and the sharing of a huge amount of expertise to keep us, and the other species we share our planet with, safe and healthy! @southkatoomba.rfb @nswses @fireandrescuensw @nswrfs @redcrossleura @redcrossau @shelter.building.design @firehalo.au @asbestosawareness @amelie_ecology @bbagsbluemtns @wireswildliferescue @handsheartfeet
Our marquee is up and we`re excited about our Expo and Family Day tomorrow (Sat 22 Nov). There`s something for everyone from a free sausage sizzle, plants from Santa and drumming and pollinator workshops, to sessions on keeping you and our community safe from extreme weather events and hazardous substances like mould and asbestos. Learn how intumescent paints can slow the spread of fire and pick up a sample pot; check out all our emergency service organisations; learn how to dispose of hazardous materials; paint a native orchid, make some seed balls or sew a boomerang bag to give as plastic-free Christmas presents this year; enjoy coffee and locally made sweets; and get tips on how to retrofit your home safely and beautifully to be prepared for future extreme weather events. View the full program and register here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many new and innovative ways of doing things, like the new cooking techniques being explored by Michael from Good Fat Pastry, and the new fire protection methods being launched at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Check out Michael’s recent presentation at the Food Security Fair in our video here: https://bit.ly/4pnXbIg (link in profile) and come along to taste his delicious carrot cake and pastries at the Expo on Saturday. Check out the program and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
In 2006 Peter Joseph’s son Michael suicided after a 14-year episodic battle with mental illness. Peter is now the Chair of the Black Dog Institute which is working to achieve better outcomes for all those struggling with mental health issues. Journalist Emma Rossi will engage Peter in an intimate and moving conversation about a life of purpose and mental health advocacy. As a Rotary scholar Peter will also reflect on how Rotary helped shape his values and sense of purpose as a young man - and how those early lessons continue to guide his work today. This free event is being hosted by the Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary Club and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative on Saturday 29 November from 2-4pm at the Planetary Health Centre at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Learn about intumescent fire retardant paint and a range of other strategies to prepare for extreme weather events, and to manage hazardous materials, at the upcoming Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre on Sat 22 Nov. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J We checked out how intumescent paint works in this video.
When temperatures reach a certain point the intumescent paint begins to swell and expand, often up to 50 times its original thickness. It forms a thick, carbonaceous "char" that acts as an insulating barrier. This layer slows the rate at which heat reaches the structural elements and buys valuable time for people to safely exit a building during a fire. It makes the structure safer for firefighters and rescue teams. #intumescentpaint #fireretardant #bushfire @firecoat_au...
Mould, lead paint, asbestos, silica dust from engineered stone bench tops and a wide range of chemicals, are amongst some of the many hazardous substances entering our environment and negatively impacting our health. Asbestos is found in over 3000 products including textured paints, moulded garden pots, brake pads and clutch linings in older cars, floor and ceiling tiles, lino, fibro, roofing, pipes and gutters, hot water systems, backing for switchboards and insulation boards in air-conditioning ducts, insulation, sealants, fillers, caulking and adhesives, gaskets for industrial and lab equipment and more. We’ll have information to take away and Blue Mountains City Council and the Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Consultants Association (AHCA) will be running free workshops on how to identify and manage these hazardous substances at the Planetary Health Centre`s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. Find out more and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Gabiann has worked as in-house writer/editor for Amnesty International, Greenpeace and Médecins Sans Frontières across Australia, Africa and the Asia Pacific. She is an award winning novelist and children’s book author, having won or been shortlisted for several Australian and international writing prizes. She was one of the key designers and the writer of the award-winning multimedia interactive narrative, Kids Together Now, which focuses on helping children deal with issues around bullying and racism.
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