Living Green

According to the Australian Burean of Statistics, around 56 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the residence. Although it is important that we pressure company and government for sustainable initiatives, some of the easiest changes can be made in our own dwellings. From basic lifestyle changes such as adopting the Green Pages Top 50 ideas to a more substantial investment in your home’s design features.

For quite a few, building a sustainable property may well seem too challenging, too daunting or just not feasible. Numerous people claim ‘we can’t afford it’, ‘I already own a house (and am still paying it off!)’, or ‘I’m renting’; these are all ready made excuses that make even the most die-tough greenie resistant to making a far more substantial investment in a sustainable property.

‘Money is often 1 of the significant impediments to investing in a sustainable property,’ says Julien Laclave, renewable energy promotions officer for Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZES). A green residence can save a family thousands of dollars a year. ‘We can’t force individuals to invest in a sustainable renovation or a new property, but we can show them that it truly pays off.’ Decreased energy bills from renewable energy sources and far more comfortable living conditions that don’t call for artificial heating or cooling are just some of the advantages of a sustainably created home.

Lacave is also the project manager of the ANZES Sustainable Home Day, a nationwide event that showcases a number of sutainable homes to the public. This year, over 100 homes had been on diplsay and visitors could speak directly with the owners and get first hand data about the residence and its sustinable features. Lacave finds taht numerous attendees come to sources ideas for their own projects. ‘People who go to the homes locate it really inspiring. It’s very special to be able to talk wiht the residents,’ he says.

So what’s behind good green design?

Essentially, building a ‘green home’ is to make sure a home is as ’self sustaining’ as possible. Key features contain minimising energy use, rainwater harvesting, managing waste water disposal and even sustaining its inhabitants with a lush green garden. Renowned celebrities such as Csate Blanchett have brough popularity to green residences. Sustainable house design is reaching the mainstream. People are realising eco homes make very good sense. Households can lower their energy bills by as much as 50 per cent and save on their water bills. Green homes stay comfortable throughout the year with out the aid of artificial heating and cooling, which make them a real pleasure to live in. ‘A sustainable house is just a house that is well created and cleverly thought out’, says Lacave.

For much more details on the green house go to the Green Pages, Australia’s leading directory for all things green.