Peek Green Meet locals making a difference at Sustainable House Day.

Step inside the homes open for Sustainable House Day for a glimpse into how good eco-friendly living can be, writes

When it comes to other people’s houses, everyone loves a bit of a stickybeak or the opportunity to chat with the owners about how their homes look, feel and perform. And that’s the appeal of Sustainable House Day, which takes place this year on Sunday, September 15. “It’s a chance for anyone interested in improving the sustainability and liveability of their own home to see how others have made improvements and to ask them for their honest take on what’s worked and what’s worth the money,” says Donna Luckman, CEO of the Alternative Technology Association, the not-for-profit body that organises Sustainable House Day.

About 250 homes across Australia will open their doors to interested members of the public, offering a rare view into homes designed, built or renovated with energy efficiency and the environment in mind. Among the line-up, you’ll find straw-bale houses, homes that incorporate electricvehicle chargers, impressive photovoltaic set-ups with battery storage, sustainable gardens and tiny houses.

“One of the things we’ve learnt from surveying visitors in past years is that they’re hungry for tips on how to reduce their energy bills and improve the comfort of their home,” says Luckman. “They want to know if, for example, battery storage or double glazing is worth the expense.”

This year will see more passivhaus properties open for tours than ever before. Developed in Germany, the passivhaus concept utilises insulation, glazing and airtightness to achieve an incredibly energy-efficient home. Some passivhaus homes use just 10 per cent of the energy of a similarly

‘[PEOPLE] ARE HUNGRY FOR TIPS ON HOW TO REDUCE THEIR ENERGY BILLS AND IMPROVE THE COMFORT OF THEIR HOME.’ Donna Luckman, CEO, Alternative Technology Association

sized, traditionally built home. “The idea isn’t new, but it’s gaining momentum in Australia and we’re seeing more designers becoming passivhaus certified,” she says.

Solar is always of interest, adds Luckman, as is the idea of utilising panels to charge an electric vehicle. “More than two million Australian households now have rooftop solar panels. It goes to show that people want to make their homes more sustainable.”

Luckman says some of her favourite houses are those that are new to participating in Sustainable House Day. “I love the homes that are open because someone attended a Sustainable House Day, took some advice onboard and went off and built their own sustainable home. By opening their own home up, they’re giving back. That makes me so happy.” To see the Sustainable House Day open homes near you, or to register to attend, visit sustainablehouseday.com.