The PowerHouse series – retrofitting existing homes net zero emissions

Chief Investigator:

Dr. Danie Nilsson, CSIRO

Purpose of project

The PowerHouse series (working title) will be a new reality TV series, based on the successful Renovate or Rebuild series from 2022. This project will expand and improve on the work of Renovate or Rebuild by broadening the impact framework and analysis and shifting focus to purely retrofitting existing homes.

It is looking to stimulate millions of Australian households to retrofit their existing homes to reach net zero emissions targets, focused on retrofitting homes on a budget.

The uniqueness of this project lies in learning from social scientists with expertise in behavioural and psychological science, as well as those with unique skill sets in social media analysis. These scientists will help design a strategic theory of change, and a pathway to impact and importantly, monitor and evaluate this with scientific credibility.

Again produced by Blue Tribe, the behaviour change framework for the TV show will be designed to empower consumers to undertake actions that reduce energy costs, including energy efficiency upgrades to their homes like improved insulation, improving air tightness, and upgrading appliances whilst also exploring solar energy, battery storage and electric mobility. 

The desktop research will be used to guide the direction of the pilot episode and TV show to fill existing gaps and target the right market.  This will be followed and supported by a focus group evaluation of the pilot episode. This research will be used by The Blue Tribe Company in the development of the pilot episode and full TV series.  

An Impact Production strategy will be created utilising the latest behavioural and social science. This will be used by the lead researcher and producer(s) to ensure the science is translated into practice and impact is created.

A longitudinal analysis will be conducted of the show, secondary content and impact strategy during filming and broadcasting stages to monitor and evaluate impact. This research output will be used by project partners to increase the impact of this specific project and related work moving forward.

Additionally, the research will be made available to academic and research bodies, industry, media professionals, including content creators, producers, directors (etc) and broadcasters to demonstrate a case study for how to create social and environmental impact using this approach. It will provide demonstrated results as well as recommendations for future projects and research in this space.

Impact of project

Educational entertainment has been shown to move consumers to take action. Viewers of Renovate or Rebuild demonstrated a statistically significant increase in desire to have a home with a home energy rating above the minimum standard for Australia (23% for non-viewers compared to 39% for viewers of the show).

Based on earlier research by Sustainability Victoria, a ‘typical’ (poorly performing) home in Melbourne can be taken from a Scorecard rating of 1 or 2 Stars up to 5 Stars, reducing a home’s annual energy cost from $3500/year to closer to $1000/year, based on the 2024 Victorian default power price. This would likely require draft proofing, ceiling insulation and efficient heating/cooling and hot water upgrades. Emissions in turn would be significantly reduced, by around 7 tonnes/home/year, based on moving from a 1.6 to 4.0 Star NaTHERS rating with these upgrades.

The project also aims to stimulate the following changes

• A reduction in household energy costs, achieved by empowering viewers to make affordable and actionable choices to retrofit their homes with energy efficiency upgrades.
• An associated reduction in Australia’s carbon emissions. 
• Aiding energy equity across the sector, through promoting affordable and accessible options that owners, investors and renters can adopt to lower energy bills and ongoing emissions.
• An increase in demand for energy efficient products and services and therefore also create jobs in this critical sector.

Project partners – industry and research

CSIRO (Lead), NSW DCCEEW, The Blue Tribe