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Sustainable living only a click away
Katie Adema, September
2015
Downloadable sustainable housing plans now available
Have you ever thought about building your very own sustainable home but have baulked because of the cost, time and effort involved in the process? As it turns out, you can’t be the only one thinking such thoughts - the government has just launched an initiative that makes it easier for Aussies to construct their own energy-efficient home. [caption id="attachment_2674" align="alignleft" width="690"]



Top tips for your sustainable life
- Properly orienting your home on your property can help you maintain a comfortable interior temperature - greatly reducing the need for auxiliary heating and cooling.
- Heating water accounts for 21% of the energy used in the average Aussie home, and is a big contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Switch from an electric water heater to solar or gas continuous flow system and lower your impact.
- Your home will need to adapt to the changing climate as the effects of global warming become apparent over the coming years – think about how your design allows the house to withstand heat waves, flooding, more violent storms and bushfire.
- Choose your building materials carefully to reduce your environmental impact – consider reusing materials from the existing home on site, or finding second hand materials to minimise waste.
- Reduce your water usage without changing a single habit by buying water efficient appliances for your entire home – showerheads, washing machines, taps and other appliances included.