Draw on expert advice about energy efficiency

LOCALS attending the Electrify Wangaratta launch event in the rural city this month will have the chance to draw on the experience of home comfort and energy adviser Tim Forcey. Tim, who has built a Facebook community rising weekly by 500 people and recently launched his 'My Efficient Electric Home Handbook', will be part of the informative event at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Sunday, October 13. The free event has been organised by Electrify Wangaratta, a Wangaratta Landcare and Sustainability working group, which will use the platform to launch its online tool designed to assist people to transition to an all-electric home. Planned as an interactive, informative session, the afternoon will feature stories from locals who are going all-electric to optimise their homes, reduce energy bills and increase year-round comfort; a live home efficiency Q&A session; and the chance to win one of three lucky door prizes worth more than $500. Tim's expertise - which is widely-sought and accessed by individuals, community groups, businesses, government bodies, members of parliament and the media - is drawn from his extensive background working in energy efficiency. He migrated to Australia from the US to work in the gas industry, and was working with BHP when he said he became aware of the growing global climate emergency, and the need to act. Following roles with government, the University of Melbourne, and not-for-profit organisations, Tim started a business five years ago which sees him go into homes and help people make important changes to their energy efficiency. "I did some public speaking, and was doing a podcast when I was contacted by Jane from Murdoch Books, who suggested I produce a book," he said. 'My Efficient Electric Home Handbook: How to Slash Your Energy Bills, Protect Your Health and Save the Planet' was published in June, and since then Tim has been part of 30 events like the upcoming Wangaratta session. He said people often felt overwhelmed about the amount of information coming their way about switching to electricity or becoming more energy efficient at home, and found it difficult to choose a place to start. However, he said with some research via guides like his, there was plenty of scope for helping the effects on both the environment and the hip pocket. "I had a client the other day who had read the book, and what would usually be a three-hour session turned into a four-hour session because she had so much to ask and cover," he said. "One of the benefits of the Facebook group is that it's providing case studies of what people are doing in their homes, and shows that the research we did at Melbourne University nine years ago is really working out for people." Tim said even with his strong background in the area, he was constantly learning about energy efficiency, and working on improvements at home. "I'm 66, so I could give up and retire, but it's still really stimulating work, with new things popping up all the time," he said. On the weekend he's in Wangaratta, Tim will also visit Albury, Wodonga and Beechworth to spread the word about his book. "It's a great opportunity for people to come and see the information I've got, and I hang around as long as necessary at the event, so that everyone gets what they need," he said. He advised locals planning to attend the October 13 event in the WPACC Memorial Hall to take a look at the My Efficient Electric Home Facebook group or the book, and to come armed with questions which could assist their move towards an electric home. "There is no one question that is more common than another at these events; it varies according to people's homes and what they need to know," he said. The Electrify Wangaratta event will run from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday, October 13 at the WPACC. For more information about the event, and to register and be in the running for one of the three lucky door prizes worth $500, visit https://events.humanitix.com/go-electric-slash-your-energy-bills

Draw on expert advice about energy efficiency

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