What makes a house...
Castle Calibre?
A house with 'castle calibre' is a house you're proud to call home
"one's home is their castle"
Darryl Kerrigan was incredibly proud of his castle. So proud, he fought to save it in the High Court.
Darryl's castle was a place of pride because it reflected his values: gratitude, fairness, humility. A man of simple pleasures, his home provided his family with a place of refuge - a place to spend quality time together.
Castles are a place of privacy, security or refuge. Built to stand the test of time, they represent history, accomplishment, or even ambition.
Calibre is the measure of worth, the quality, of an object or pursuit.
In the real world however, for a house to be a home it needs to be 'liveable'. It needs to be comfortable, affordable, responsible and resilient.
My mission is to empower people to find pride in their home through maximum 'liveability'.
What elements of a home most impact liveability?
In the era of social media, we're all very aware of the current architectural and interior design trends... but if we set aside the (often unrealistic) vision of 'a beautiful home', what are the key elements of a home that can impact our quality of life?
1
Thermal Envelope
The all-important barrier between the inside of your home and the elements outside.
2
Energy Efficiency
Energy is valuable, so let's put modern technology to work to ensure we make the most of what we use.
3
All-Electric
The term 'natural gas' is a misnomer; it's a fossil fuel, and the planet would really like us to stop burning it.
4
Renewable Energy
Fully realise the potential for an all-electric home by producing your own electricity.
5
Indoor Air Quality
The often overlooked ingredient to a liveable home. Cleaner, drier, fresher air promotes good health.
6
Certified
Add value to your home by making it official. Have your home assessed by a government-accredited expert.
To best improve these elements and maximise the value of your investment, consider a home energy assessment for your house. With Blake's expert knowledge and the help of the Scorecard tool you can simplify your home liveability journey (including demystifying the many government incentive programs!).
Hi, my name's Blake.
My background
A Mechanical Engineer by trade, I spent many years designing, operating and maintaining complex engineering systems for the industrial world.
In 2019 my wife and I had our first child. 8 months later, COVID arrived in Australia. Time spent at home suddenly rose to an unprecedented high - and so did our energy bills. Why was the house so cold? Should it be this expensive to run? I became so obsessed that I decided on a career change.
My passion
I consider myself very fortunate to be a homeowner. Transforming our original 1950s weatherboard home into something that I considered appropriate for our young family became more than a necessity... it became my passion.
I retrained in Home Energy Efficiency & Sustainability, became a Certified Passivhaus Consultant and obtained govenrnment-accreditation as a Residential Efficiency Scorecard assessor.
My promise
My focus is to help make your home warmer, drier and use less energy. My service combines not only my technical expertise, but also my practical knowledge and a genuine interest in your wellbeing.
I strive to be at the forefront of industry developments and building science best-practice, so that I can be better informed and offer you the best possible advice for a more liveable home.
Frequently asked questions
What's this 'Scorecard Assessment' all about?
A home energy audit, also known as a Residential Efficiency Scorecard Assessment, is a comprehensive evaluation of a home’s energy performance. Conducted by an accredited assessor, the process analyses the major appliances of your home such as space heating & cooling and hot water heating, in addition to key thermal features such as air-tightness, insulation and windows.
You'll notice that I didn't mention anything related to you as the occupant. Your habits, behaviours, and how much (or little) energy you consume are not under scrutiny. The Scorecard Certificate focuses on the house and fixed appliances only, so that you have the best platform for liveability.
What are the outcomes of a 'Scorecard Assessment'?
Utilising government software, your home is benchmarked and given a star rating certificate, corresponding to its overall energy performance. In addition, areas of potential are identified and paired with tailored recommendations for improvement. The result is a clear path towards enhanced comfort, reduced energy bills, and a smaller environmental footprint.
Is retrofitting my home going to cost me a fortune?
To make drastic changes you may need to consider upgrades, but it's important to remember that every change helps. For each problem there are low-cost (or no-cost) solutions that can be implemented. I tailor my advice to suit your situation and match your budget.
What does an assessment cost?
I have a flat rate of $350 per assessment. This includes the Scorecard Certificate and your personalised Home Energy Handbook to guide you through your home improvement journey. There is a Victorian Government rebate associated with the assessment I perform, but for your convenience I process this and include the amount as a discount (which is already reflected in my fee).
What areas do you service?
I am based in Geelong, but I travel to Melbourne regularly. Head to my booking page to see the council areas I service. If you are located outside of these areas, please get in touch to confirm if there will be any additional travel charges.
How long does an assessment take?
The assessment generally takes between 2 to 2.5 hours to complete. This includes plenty of time to hear about your energy-related experiences with the home, to review the assessment once completed, and to discuss your options going forward.
Do you work after hours?
An adult occupant of the home is required to be present during the assessment and as such I make a limited number of timeslots available to accommodate after-hours assessments.
How can I learn more about what you offer?
Head to the CONTACT section below and drop your email in the box. I'll be in touch with you shortly!
What's the best way to book an assessment?
I have an online booking system where you can see my availability and select your preferred day and time. Click here
Card payment is handled securely via Link by Stripe. Once your booking is confirmed you will receive a calendar invite and more information via email.
contact
What do you want from your home?
Some of my customers are planning to renovate their home and want to make sure performance is a priority. Many of them are trying to do the right thing by the planet and reduce their carbon footprint. The vast majority just wish their lovely home didn't cost a fortune to keep comfortable. And who could blame them...
I'd love to hear from you! Drop your email in the box below and I'll be in touch with more details about what I have to offer.
Your submission has been received!
Presented in an easy to understand, tailored action plan.