WA households will receive ‘eco-coaching’ on how to green up their homes and cut their emissions under an innovative new energy efficiency program launched today by the Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water, Senator Penny Wong.

An initiative of the Perth Solar City, the ‘Living Smart’ program will work directly with Perth households to achieve behavioural change – such as encouraging households to save energy or water, cut waste or reduce their emissions.

Perth Solar City is part of the Government’s $94 million Solar Cities program. Under the program, 5000 households in the Perth Solar City will receive ‘eco-coaching’ over the phone. To commence later in the year, this eco-coaching will include analysis of a household’s energy and water bills, and discussion of ways to make savings.

“Everyone wants to do their bit in helping to reduce our emissions,’’ Senator Wong said.
 
“This eco-coaching will give Perth households the incentive to think about how they can reduce their energy use, and to make some positive changes.’’

Perth Solar City also today unveiled a ‘Collective Impact’ social marketing campaign. Directed at individuals, the ‘Collective Impact’ campaign hopes to drive behaviour change by showing people that their individual actions, however small, can add to something greater.

Senator Wong said educating and engaging households was crucial to reducing energy use.

“This program shows that the simple actions of individuals, such as not leaving appliances on standby power, can make a real difference,’’ Senator Wong said.

“Individual actions don’t have to be taken in isolation. The collective impact concept shows families that what they do in their homes can have a significant cumulative impact across a state such as WA, and across the nation.’’

Perth Solar City is one of seven Solar Cities across the nation looking at ways to help households, industry and the community better use and conserve energy. Each project is trialling a range of initiatives including photovoltaic and solar hot water technology and educating the community about energy efficiency.

Visit www.perthsolarcity.com.au for further information on Living Smart.