Aussie households have a huge impact on the environment. Not only through the amount of energy used to build houses, but also through a household’s day-to-day consumption of resources. This is paving the way for more action within the home including cutting down how much power we consume to thinking about the products we buy.
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Saving energy in the home is one of the easiest ways to tackle emissions. The average Australian household generates over seven tonnes of greenhouse gas a year by using power, according to the Department of the Environment and Energy. The lion’s share is gobbled up by heating and cooling, making this a key area people can concentrate on.
The general view is homes can be much better designed to harness the natural environment and create more stable temperatures indoors. This includes better use of the sun, shade or wind and focusing on how the built environments around our home can impact temperature.
House energy ratings explained
The Australian Government has introduced The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), a 10-star energy rating system for all buildings. This scale looks at a property’s design and how efficiently it can keep the internal environment cosy. It’s important to note this system only applies to the shell of the building and isn’t to be confused with the energy rating system applied to household appliances.
A low household energy efficiency rating means the structure does nothing to moderate the impacts of the elements outside. A dwelling that rates higher has features that help regulate the internal temperature. In 2010 it was mandated all new housing in Australia must have a minimum energy rating of six stars, however many new dwellings now aim for a seven-star rating. If you’re thinking about how to improve efficiency in your home, consider the following.
- Orientation designed to capture northern light
- External shading to shield from the summer sun
- Using materials that contribute to temperature control
- Insulation of walls and roofs
- Window placement to capture light and breeze
- Windows that open and encourage airflow
- Double-glazed glass
- Light-coloured roofs and walls
- Ceiling fans and ventilated roof spaces
- Living areas that can be opened to the outdoors
What makes a 7-star home?
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Given Australia’s dry climate, households should be thinking about how to save water. Some people think it’s only necessary to conserve water in times of drought, however every drop counts. Reducing the amount of water wasted helps maintain water storages and puts less pressure on infrastructure such as dams, rivers, and wastewater facilities.
Using less water
A quick look around your house will usually give you some ideas on how you can save water in your home. Relatively pain-free changes can include installing dual-toilet flushes, and only using the half-flush button, or putting in water saving taps. Keeping showers to under five minutes, not overwatering gardens and installing water-efficient whitegoods are also common approaches. For people planning a new build, forgoing the luxury of a pool is recommended as is minimising paved areas and using native drought-tolerant plants for landscaping.
Harvesting and storing water
For some households using less water isn’t an option. You may have a large garden, a pool, or animals to care for that require lots of fresh water. In these cases, creating your own water source and becoming self-sufficient is the best way to go.
Tanks
A water tank is an easy way to store your own rainwater. They have become so popular that these days most of the necessary parts can be purchased at your local hardware store. Firstly, you will need to identify if you can collect enough rainwater. On average, one square metre of roof will collect one litre of water per one millimetre of rainfall. This is then diverted to a tank where it is stored, and the excess overflow can be managed. This gives you a source of water that can then be redirected to the house for later use, flushing the toilets, running the washing machine, or watering the garden. Some people also filter the tank water for drinking.
Bores
Ground water which accumulates in aquifers underground is another option for water harvesters. The water is accessed by a deep hole drilled into the ground and pumped out. Contrary to popular belief, city homeowners can usually drill bores, although the initial testing and drilling may be costly, and you must get the appropriate approvals from council.
Grey water collection
Wastewater from around your home, including water from sinks, the laundry and showers can be easily collected and reused. Grey water systems will help capture the water, which can be diverted for storage and treatment, or directed to your garden for secondary use – but it isn’t suitable for drinking. Water recycling is less common than other water saving measures, but it does help significantly reduce the amount of useable water that would otherwise be flushed down the drain. It is important to note though that these systems need ongoing maintenance, and installation will require the expertise of a plumber. Cost alone may make this option unattractive for many households.
The pros & cons of grey water recycling at home
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Many people choose to go sustainable to cut down their household costs rather than to save the planet. Luckily, you can achieve both at the same time. In some cases, people will opt for expensive upfront solutions like installing solar panels and rainwater tanks to shrink household bills. Other households will choose to conserve costs by changing their habits. One easy approach is to avoid using power during peak times when it is more expensive. For example, running your dishwasher and washing machine overnight. This has no real environmental benefit, but power is generally cheaper between 10pm and 7am when there is less demand.
Get to know your bills
Most utility providers will include a usage gauge on your bill. This shows how much power, water, or gas you use and how your usage compares to other households of a similar size in your area. Keep track of your energy use by focusing on your daily average. This will help you identify the activities that use the most power and whether you can make changes.
What you need to know about your household bills
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Carbon footprint is simply a term used to describe the amount of greenhouse gases that you produce living your everyday life. This includes emissions created from food, transport, energy, waste, and your household products. Shrinking your footprint is an easy and effective way to help the earth. Typically, people do this by cutting the greenhouse gases they produce in the first place but also offsetting emissions that can’t be avoided.
Carbon offsetting and carbon neutral
People often talk about reducing their carbon footprint to zero. However, in reality, reducing household emissions to absolutely nothing is an unrealistic goal. Instead, you can aim to be carbon efficient and then compensate elsewhere for unavoidable emissions. This means that once you balance it all out your climate impact is effectively zero. This is known as carbon offsetting or being carbon neutral.
Common ways people do this is buying offset credits. This is when you pay extra to purchase a carbon credit from a company, with the money to be put toward green initiatives, such as planting trees, or installing wind turbines in developing countries, to balance out your usage.
Effectively this balances the scales when it comes to how much carbon you produce.
Ever wondered what your household carbon footprint is? If you’re intrigued, head online where there are plenty of calculators available. The Australian Greenhouse Calculator has been setup by the Victorian Environmental Protection Agency. It will calculate your footprint based on the energy efficiency of your dwelling, water use, your habits, and property size, and explore options to save carbon.