These days the media gives a lot of attention to the problem of rising energy costs. While these increases make it harder for everyone to meet monthly bill payments, they particularly affect those who are no longer in the workforce.
Anglican Retirement Villages’ management team is also concerned about projected electricity cost increases and has initiated programs to help conserve the amount of electricity consumed.
One initiative includes energy saving projects at selected villages. These projects reduce energy consumption by replacing existing lighting systems with energy-efficient lighting, adding voltage-reduction units, installing sensors and timers on hot water systems and installing controls for lighting and air conditioning.
Donington Court is one village where residents will benefit. According to Marcelo Rouco, CEO of Ecosave who is the specialist contractor for this project, it is estimated that Donington Court will save 637 megawatt-hours of electricity and 682 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the first 10 years. Similar estimates apply to the other villages that are a part of this initiative.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet initiated the ‘Community Savers’ energy saving program, supported by the NSW Government’s Climate Change Fund, and ARV has received approval and funding grants for a number of projects, including Donald Robinson Village, Donington Court, Goodhew Gardens, Lemongrove Gardens, Mary Andrews Village, Nuffield Village, Roden Cutler Lodge, Rohini Village, The Donald Coburn Centre and Warrina Hostel.