The City of Sydney is after 20 high-rise apartments to join its Smart Green Apartments Program, designed to cut carbon emissions and energy bills.
The call-out for apartments follows a pilot of the program, which produced average savings of $25,000 a year and carbon emissions cuts of 3000 tonnes.
Under the program, energy, waste and water assessments are provided to identify cost-effective upgrades, along with an online system to monitor energy and water use.
Chief executive Monica Barone said residential high-rise was being targeted because the buildings were often large energy consumers, due to common area services like lifts, common area lighting, HVAC and pool pumps.
“Residential apartments are responsible for around 10 per cent of the City’s total greenhouse gas emissions, so this program gives us the opportunity to make some serious cuts,” Ms Barone said.
“Simple changes like upgrading lighting, equipment tune-ups and water efficiency upgrades can save owners money and reduce carbon emissions.
“By offering apartment owners the means of reducing emissions we can make apartment living far more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.”
Bauhaus Apartments in Pyrmont was one of the buildings to participate in the trial. The building’s executive committee chair Gordon Streight said the program provided a huge amount of information on how the building was being used.
“The program’s ongoing support and networking opportunities helped us learn how other buildings tackle the same issues as we do,” he said. “I would encourage other buildings to embrace the Smart Green Apartments program and leverage the experience of others across the city.”
Aria Apartments in Waterloo also made big cuts to bills and emissions by changing lighting to LED, and introducing recycling stations and an e-waste bin.
To be eligible buildings must be strata or company title residential buildings, a minimum of six storeys or 50 apartments, and be located in the City of Sydney local government area.
Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 28 September 2016.