Efficiency in the home
Off the grid property opened up to visitors
THE designer of a highly sustainable and energy efficient house just north of Toowoomba says the city needs to have a conversation around the issue. Ross Campbell hosted more than 60 interested visitors to an open house tour at Grapetree in the Toowoomba region, to celebrate Sustainable House Day yesterday. Mr Campbell, a committee member with the Toowoomba branch of the Alternative Technology Association, said more people were embracing energy-friendly technology and design principles as part of their homes. But he said more work needed to be done, which is why he wanted to host tours of the offgrid house. “We’ve got a long way to go. Part of our job is to educate people,” he said. “As a building designer I find that some people are not as aware of sustainable practices and choices as they could be. “The obvious way to save on electricity is to use less of that.
“By designing it well, you can save on power.”
Mr Campbell, who has won multiple awards for his design work with business Eco-Blueprints, offered tips and advice to the property owners to improve their efficiency.
He said next year’s Sustainable House Day might feature four properties.
For more information, head to sustainablehouseday.com.
THE OBVIOUS WAY TO SAVE ON ELECTRICITY IS TO USE LESS OF THAT. BY DESIGNING IT WELL, YOU CAN SAVE ON POWER. ROSS CAMPBELL