Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
It all starts at home
Whether you’re building, renovating or making subtle changes, there are many paths to increased sustainability
Our homes may be our havens, but they also offer the chance to contribute to the growing global trend for sustainability. Want to get involved? It’s easy, whether your thoughts lie with small steps or big-ticket moves.
START TODAY
A wonderful start is to create a sustainability self-audit and action plan. Here are four areas to focus on.
Lighting Consider using LED bulbs. According to energyrating.gov.au, an average household can save up to an estimated $253 in annual energy costs by swapping halogen bulbs for LEDS, which also last five times longer.
Shower heads Look to install an aerated or low-flow shower head, which will save on water usage.
Energy rating Be mindful of the energy rating of appliances, especially when it’s time to buy, as they’ll help to identify the most sustainable, costeffective option for your lifestyle.
Temperature control Think cleverly about how to make your home more comfortable when it comes to temperature. For example, you could use blankets and draught stoppers to preserve warmth, and open doors to create a cooling breezeway, rather than reaching for the aircon remote.
GARDEN FOR YOUR CLIMATE Consult your local nursery and plant only flowers that will thrive in your climate. Grow vegies to cut carbon miles to your plate (some, like kale, can also be ornamental), create a compost zone and use recycled water if possible. Want to go bigger? Consider a living green wall.
LOCATION, LOCATION
When you’re building or renovating, carefully plan your home’s orientation to suit aspects such as the sun and prevailing winds. This will allow you to tap into eco-conscious principles such as passive heating and cooling.
MATERIAL WORLD
Be mindful in picking building and design materials. Think recycled bricks, timber and steel, excavated soil for landscaping and eco-friendly materials like bamboo. Also look at treatment choices like double-glazed windows for insulation and draw on advancements such as halogen ovens, which use less power than conventional models.
GET SOLAR SOONER
Amid the evolving sustainable focus, growing numbers of Aussie households are also looking to solar energy. Visionary firm Brighte is supporting that journey with its 0% interest payment plans for the installation of solar panels and other sustainable home improvements. It’s part of Brighte’s ethos to make solar energy accessible and affordable for everyday Aussies.