Increasingly, home owners and businesses are realising and experiencing the trade-off between the purchase and use of energy efficient products and a long term reduction in their cost of household bills. Many are actively seeking new information and opportunities to make their businesses, homes and lifestyles more efficient, sustainable and cost effective.

Some Australian State Governments have implemented energy efficiency schemes such as the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) in New South Wales and the Retailer Energy Efficiency Scheme (REES) in South Australia and the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) in Victoria to assist households and business to reduce electricity consumption and costs.

In the context of electricity generation in Australia there are a number of factors at play:

• Whilst many electrical products are becoming more efficient, as consumers we are using more products and therefore increasing our household consumption
• Our population is increasing, which will inevitably increase our electricity demand
• With no more new power stations coming online, our energy supply may not be keeping pace with demand

If we take the above factors into account, businesses and home owners are increasingly looking at new ways in which to become more energy efficient. With the development of new technologies, NECA members can offer businesses and home owners a range of electrical options such as;

• Energy Efficient Lighting;
• Solar and Hot Water Management and Solutions;
• Pool pump solutions;
• Home Networking and Communications installation; and
• Preventative home maintenance and energy efficiency checks

NECA also offers the EcoSmartElectricians initiative – a program that connects the home owner with electricians and contractors to provide tips for and support energy efficient product use that lead to savings on household energy bills. The program covers training and education in energy management, lighting and solar generation and upon completion, an electrician is provided with a nationally recognised certification that delivers an added benefit for householders.

Energy Efficiency is not just about the environment, it’s also about providing options that can save businesses and home owners money.

Any one of our NECA members should be able to provide you with a calculable payback period or estimated savings for whatever options you might have in mind. Talk to a NECA member to find out how they can help you realise these savings.

-ENDS-

Media enquiries and interviews

Barry Jackson – National Marketing and Communications

E barry.jackson@neca.asn.au

D 02 9962 6904

M 0457 767 328

Notes for editors

1. NECA is the peak industry body representing the interests of electrical and communications contractors Australia-wide.
2. NECA is run by electrical contractors, for electrical contractors.
3. We have 5,000 contracting companies as members – and they in turn employ over 50,000 people Australia-wide.
4. NECA employs almost 350 people across its seven chapters (Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia).
5. The chapters provide NECA members with a range of services including: Industrial Relations, Health & Safety, Legal, Technical, Training, business-support services, product discounts and advocacy representation in Canberra with Government, Industry bodies and Training bodies.
6. NECA wholly-owns its Legal firm, Group Training and the NECA Colleges (in WA) and EcoSmart Electricians – and has joint ventures with a superannuation company (NSW) and one of the national cabling registrars (ACRS).
7. NECA also employ around 2,000 apprentice electricians and provides training to a further 2,000.
8. For further information go to www.neca.asn.au.