10 top tips from our sustainable home renovation guide

For minor home improvements:

1. Install ceiling fans with a multi-directional flow (clockwise and anti-clockwise).

• Why it matters? Ceiling fans are an inexpensive way to facilitate better ventilation in your home and reduce reliance on air conditioning. In winter, the fan will push rising heat back down towards the occupied part of the room and in summer, it will let the heat rise. Meaning you’re more comfortable all year round.

2. Undertake draught sealing, including weather strips to doors and windows, dampers to vents and sealing gaps/cracks

• Why it matters? Uncontrolled air movement through a home is estimated to cause 25% (1) of winter heat loss, leading to more energy consumption and higher bills. Draught proofing will improve your home’s energy efficiency, comfort and acoustics.

3. Switch to a GreenPower electricity plan

• Why it matters? GreenPower is a renewable energy source from government accredited sources that lets you purchase between 10-100% of your electricity from a renewable source. It’s a great alternative if you can’t have solar in your home or live in an apartment.

4. Use door mats or have a ‘shoe-free’ household

• Why it matters? Pollutants and dust can be carried indoors on footwear and get trapped in carpets, which may be a direct problem for young children on the floor and reduce air quality.

5. Prioritise native plants in your garden

• Why it matters? 40% of the average household’s total water consumption is used for outside purposes, the majority of that for gardens and lawns (2). By choosing plants that are indigenous to your area, not only are you creating a resilient garden, but you’re also providing native habitats and increasing biodiversity.

For major renovations:

1. Consider the layout of your home, ensuring main living areas and windows face north where practical

• Why it matters? The way the sun travels across different seasons can be harnessed to provide free heating (in winter) and reduce overheating (in summer).

2. Insulate walls, roofing and suspended floors in all new construction

• Why it matters? Insulation helps to stop the transfer or heat both in and out of the home. This can make your heater/air conditioner run more efficiently, or in some cases, not need to be turned on at all.

3. Select efficient all-electric appliances and air conditioners, including induction cooktops and avoid gas ovens/stoves

• Why it matters? Cooking with gas is estimated to be responsible for up to 12% of the burden of childhood asthma in Australia. Replacing these appliances may be more costly upfront, but investing in all-electric appliances will save you money long term.

4. Install a rainwater tank and consider irrigation to toilets and laundry

• Why it matters? Installing a tank is a good strategy to reduce drinkable water use. They are best situated in higher locations as gravity will reduce pumping power.

5. Simplify the roofline and install light-coloured metal roof sheeting

• Why it matters? Reduce the opportunity for debris and embers build up. Metal roof sheeting offers greater protection from fire than tiled roofs as it is firmly secured and sealed at junctions. Having a light-coloured roof will also reflect the heat of the sun and safeguard you from intense heat.

(1) CSIRO, “House Energy EfficiencyInspections Project,” 2015

(2) Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), “Household Water Consumption and Conservation Actions,” 2011. [Online]. Available: https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstat... 

(3) C. C. A. Region, “Make the Switch,” https://maketheswitch.org.au/h... 2022]