Anglicare has been selected to provide a new energy efficiency scheme in Tasmania.
It is one of 19 not-for-profit organisations rolling out the Home Energy Saver Scheme (HESS) across the nation. The Federal Minister for Community Services, Julie Collins, officially launched the program earlier this month, saying HESS would provide services to around 100,000 low-income households Australia-wide. It is a free information service for people having difficulty paying energy bills.
The contact number for HESS is 1800 007 001. People who call the service will speak with a trained consultant who can then make a referral to local staff. A financial counsellor with Anglicare, Anthony Plisek, said an ‘energy affordability visit’ is one of the services available. “The aim of this visit is to identify ways that can help people to use less power and so pay less on their electricity bills,” he said.
Minister Collins said additional money had also been allocated to the No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) to enable people to upgrade their electrical appliances. Anthony said this was important as appliances accounted for 29% of a household’s running costs.
For a limited time, the No Interest Loans Scheme is also able to offer eligible applicants a 30% subsidy on the purchase of energy efficient appliances including refrigerators, freezers, heat pumps, washing machines and hot water systems.
The subsidy has been made available by the State Government especially for low-income Tasmanians living with a disability, senior citizens, or people with health issues relating to specific temperature control conditions (such as a neuro-muscular condition).
NILS can be contacted on 1300 301 650 for more information.
Pictured: Federal Minister for Community Services, Julie Collins, with Anglicare's Anthony Plisek.
