Home Sustainability Assessments Explained

envirochick is an all female team undertaking free Household Sustainability Assessments for the Australian Government.

We are taking bookings now from January 18, 2010.

If your home is in Melbourne's north, contact us to book your free sustainability assessment valued at $250. It's free to the householder because the Australian government pays for it as part of their new sustainability policies (thanks Peter 'How can we sleep when our beds are burning?' Garrett).

WHAT AREAS DO WE SERVICE?

We are a Melbourne organisation that services primarily northern suburbs with postcodes from 3039 - 3079. If you are outside these areas and can persuade two other households in your street to participate, we'll pack our lunch and a thermos and hop out for the day.

WHAT HAPPENS IN AN ASSESSMENT?

In an envirochick assessment we go around your house with you to count what fittings and appliances it has, how many windows and doors it has, what type of light bulbs and what heating and cooling it has. These details are written into the report to be submitted to the government.

We then take a light-hearted look at your household opportunities for saving your money and the planet all at once.

Within 3 months your government assessed report, based on the details we filled in together, will be posted to you. This document will be the basis for making adjustments in conjunction with our on-site conversations.

The Household Sustainability Assessment is a requirement to be eligible for a GREEN LOAN but it does NOT guarantee that you will receive one. Normal credit ratings etc apply.

WHAT IS A GREEN LOAN?
A GREEN LOAN is the new government initiative to assist Australians to upgrade to more sustainable household systems and practices.

It is $10,000 interest free repayable over four years to retrofit your house, upgrade your appliances to a higher star rating, and install water tanks and solar systems.

GREEN LOAN are available from these banks.

WILL I HAVE TO CHANGE EVERYTHING?

No. For one thing, these are only recommendations. You are not obliged in any way to take on any of our independent suggestions/recommendations.

And we know from our own lives that if there is to be any change it needs to be do-able and enjoyable. So we'll suggest approaches that fit your life and personal style, from no-cost (what you can do a little differently) to full cost (what you might do with a $10,000 interest-free GREEN LOAN).

No shoulds. No guilt. Every little change helps.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

To be eligible you must own the house or have your name on the lease. You must be over 18 years of age and an Australian citizen. The house must be more than 12 months old and your income under $250,000.

Based on the recommendations you may be eligible to apply for a GREEN LOAN. You can apply for your interest-free $10,000 (repayable over four years) GREEN LOAN from these banks.

WILL THE ASSESSMENT TAKE LONG?

envirochick will do a home visit at a time that suits you. As women we have sustainable work practices ourselves; we won't hang around your home for HOURS overwhelming you with information.

In our opinion what can't be assessed in an hour, probably can't be achieved in a year. And who can plan that far ahead, really? This initiative is all about efficiencies, remember? We'll make it short and sweet and useful. Promise.

CAN I BOOK AN ASSESSMENT FOR SOMEONE ELSE?

No. If you have friends who are into the environment or in over their heads with household bills you can recommend that they contact us themselves. The smallest of adjustments can lower household bills by up to 40%. It's worth finding out how.


I ALREADY KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO FOR MY GREEN LOAN.
We'll be quick then, OK? The Household Sustainability Assessment is a requirement for an application for a Green Loan and can be done with super efficiency if you are enviro-literate and ready to go.

WHY CHOOSE envirochick?

We are Australian Government approved Home Sustainability Assessors. Our all female team values a sense of humour and a pragmatic approach to sustainability. Our team motto is 'It's got to be fun to be sustainable.' For you this means an enjoyable, achievable improvement process.

We look forward to meeting you and helping to increase your home's efficiency.

BOOK NOW FOR LIFT OFF!