Over the past two years, Switch Your Thinking has been working alongside local governments and community resource centres across Western Australia (WA) to help households understand their energy use and take practical steps to reduce it. The Energy Efficiency Pilot Program has now officially wrapped up, but its impact is far from over.
With energy audit kits now available in many libraries and community resource centres across WA, now is a great time for households to borrow a kit, learn more about how their home performs, and make changes that improve comfort and reduce energy costs.
What was the Energy Efficiency Pilot Program?
Launched in July 2024 with support from Energy Policy WA in the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, the Energy Efficiency Pilot Program was designed to give communities practical tools and trusted information to make smarter energy choices at home. Delivered in partnership with 74 local governments and community organisations, the program focused on hands‑on learning and not just advice.
Across the state, 139 energy audit kits were distributed and supported by staff training, community workshops, instructional videos and online resources. These kits include a thermal camera and other tools that help identify draughts, insulation gaps, water use and the energy efficiency of home appliances.
Strong participation, real results
Between September 2024 and March 2026, more than 1,200 energy audit kit loans were made through libraries and community resource centres. There was high demand in metro areas and strong interest among regional communities.
Community feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Most users reported feeling more confident about energy decisions and went on to change everyday behaviours. From adjusting thermostats and using fans before air conditioning, to closing blinds and turning off unused appliances, many households switched their thinking about energy use. Many borrowers of the kits also completed upgrades such as draught proofing, insulation improvements, and purchasing more efficient appliances. Importantly, follow‑up surveys showed these behaviours tended to stick, with many people saying they were saving energy more consistently over time.
The tools in the audit kits have been well utilised, but the thermal cameras have been a standout favourite. They have helped people to see where heat is escaping in winter or entering in summer, often motivating action straight away.
Learning through workshops and training
Alongside the energy audit kits, Switch Your Thinking delivered 24 community workshops across WA, covering topics such as solar, electric vehicles, and home electrification. Attendee satisfaction was extremely high, with most participants eager to attend future sessions.
The program also included business workshops and carbon‑accounting training. While engagement was lower than anticipated, these activities provided valuable insights into the practical and promotional challenges faced by businesses when considering energy upgrades.
Local government and community resource centre staff were a key part of the program’s success. More than 200 staff received program communications and attended training, building confidence and capability to support their communities. By the end of the program, staff confidence in explaining the energy audit kits had increased significantly, helping ensure the kits remain accessible and easy to use.
Recognising participation with prizes
As part of the pilot program, incentives were offered to encourage participation and gather follow‑up feedback. A total of 92 Scorecard or NatHERS Home Energy Assessments were awarded to people who completed surveys after borrowing an energy audit kit or attending a workshop.
Two energy‑efficient appliance prize packs, each valued at $2,000, were also awarded through prize draws held in April 2026. These prizes recognised the time and effort participants put into providing feedback and taking action.
One of the prize winners lives in the City of Gosnells and chose a front‑load washing machine and heat pump dryer. The second prize winner lives in the City of Bayswater and chose an energy-efficient LG refrigerator (see photo on the right).
Congratulations again to all our winners and thank you to everyone who participated in the program by borrowing an energy audit kit or attending a workshop.
What happens now?
Although the pilot program has ended, the energy audit kits are still out in the community and ready to be used. Borrowing a kit is a simple, low‑cost way to:
- Understand how your home performs
- Identify simple improvements for comfort and efficiency
- Make informed decisions before spending money on upgrades
- Learn skills you can share with friends, family, and neighbours
Councils and libraries have told us the kits are an excellent conversation starter and a practical way to build energy awareness at a local level.
The pilot program demonstrated that when people are given the right tools and support, they can make meaningful, lasting changes that benefit their household and the wider community. Feedback consistently highlighted long‑term benefits such as lower bills, better home comfort, greater energy independence, and a stronger culture of sustainability.
If you haven’t borrowed an energy audit kit yet, now is a great time to get started.
Additionally, if you didn’t get the chance to attend one of the live workshops, or if you did attend but would like to view it again, we have recordings from all the online sessions available on the Switch Your Thinking YouTube channel.
