Thursday 26 February 2026

Article Browser

Browse all cached articles

⌘K⌘Btoggleopen
Harness the sun to power your future with clean, renewable energy. Picture Shutterstock
FREE

Future-proofing your home: A guide to smarter energy

Elizabeth Habermanna day ago

Support The Examiner by visiting the original article

View on Examiner

Future-proof homes use electrification and solar to boost resilience.

Harness the sun to power your future with clean, renewable energy. Picture Shutterstock
Harness the sun to power your future with clean, renewable energy. Picture Shutterstock

This is sponsored content for Carbon Savers.

A future-proofed Australian home is no longer defined by its size or cost, but by energy use, intelligence and resilience.

From the building materials used through to the appliances installed, every element of the home can influence energy efficiency, comfort and longevity.

The truly future-proofed Australian home is fully electrified with an integrated energy ecosystem.

This includes solar panels, batteries and heat pump hot water all connected on an app with real-time usage data available at the homeowner's fingertips.

The path to a future-proofed home

Getting there isn't about a single renovation; it's a strategic evolution. Whether you are building from scratch or retrofitting, the focus is on electrification and autonomy.

Victorian-based home electrification experts, Carbon Savers, have outlined the process of creating a future-proofed home.

Step one: Engage with experts

The first and most important step is to start with a professional home energy assessment.

"A proper energy assessment helps homeowners prioritise upgrades based on how they actually use energy, their budget, and what rebates apply," Carbon Savers operations manager Reno Damianou said.

"It prevents costly missteps and ensures each upgrade works as part of a long-term electrification plan."

Step two: Install solar panels

By installing solar panels for renewable electricity, homeowners will be able to cut daytime electricity use and tap into clean energy.

Step three: Install a home battery

"A home solar and battery system was once seen as a luxury but is now the key to energy independence, allowing households to store solar energy, avoid peak tariffs, and stay powered during blackouts," Carbon Savers installation manager Mathew Marsh said.

With a battery and solar panels homeowners can expect to save on energy bills and become more self-reliant.

The battery is charged during the day by solar panels. At night the hot water system can be powered by the battery rather than take power from the grid.

"This gives the homeowner near 24/7 self-sufficiency and huge savings," Mathew said.

Step four: Update hot water systems

Hot water heat pumps use 65 to 70 per cent less energy than conventional electric systems.

"This is often the biggest energy user after heating and cooling and qualifies for multiple rebates," Mathew said.

Experience total comfort with energy-efficient heating and cooling. Picture Shutterstock
Experience total comfort with energy-efficient heating and cooling. Picture Shutterstock

Step five: Upgrade to energy-efficient heating and cooling (reverse cycle)

Remove and replace any gas heating. Opting for reverse cycle aligns with complete home electrification and allows for complete climate control in summer and winter.

Rebates and incentives

The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers thousands in rebates off eligible batteries, while the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program provides rebates on heat pump hot water and reverse cycle heating. STC rebates also apply to solar panels and some hot water upgrades.

Talk to an expert about what rebates may apply to you.

Learn more about home electrification or Carbon Savers here.

Topics

freerecommendedstory-commercial

Version History

1 of 5