By Dongyun Kwon
Badger Creek Hall (BCH) committee and Healesville Community Renewable Energy (HCoRE) celebrated the success of the energy efficiency upgrade of the hall on Wednesday 24 July.
At the celebration, the two groups chatted about the upgrade process and the history of the 99-year-old hall while having morning tea.
HCoRE also prepared a special video showing the upgrade process.
HCoRE president Karen Roberts said this energy efficiency upgrade project is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when two community groups work together.
“Badger Creek Hall holds a special place in my heart, and I’m extremely happy that HCoRE decided to use some of the Sustainability Victoria funding to help spruce the hall up, make it more comfortable, and reduce their running costs in the form of lower energy bills,” she said.
“The timing has also been perfect as the Badger Creek Hall committee prepares for the centenary celebrations due to take place in February 2025.
“It’s been a pleasure working with their committee and I’d also like to acknowledge the dedication our technical manager Leo de Jong has shown as project manager.”
HCoRE managed the upgrade project with the grant received from Sustainability Victoria.
The project has made better use of the previously installed solar roof panels by electrifying the hall.
Two reverse-cycle air conditioning units have been installed instead of two large gas-wall heaters.
To improve the level of insulation in the hall, ceiling insulation, pelmets and heavy-duty curtains have been installed.
The electric heat pump has been installed after the gas instantaneous hot water boiler was removed.
Fly wire screens have been installed to allow cross ventilation of the hall.
Weather sealing of external doors and weather sealing of wall ventilation openings have been installed too.
BCH committee member Adam Cole said HCoRE has been very supportive.
“The most obvious change is the heaters, we haven’t used them as air conditioners yet,” he said.
“As far as heating goes, it heats the space up in five minutes which is amazingly efficient.
“Obviously, the insulation and the curtains greatly assist with maintaining temperature, and the heat pump electric hot water is brilliant.”
