Sustainability
How to choose a location for your home
Find out what you need to consider when you're choosing a location to build your house on, and why comfort, convenience and safety are so important.
Should I renovate or demolish?
If you're buying an old house, the choice between renovating and demolishing can be a hard one. Here are a few of the things you'll need to consider.
Which hot water systems are most efficient?
The wrong hot water system can easily account for the lion's share of your electricity consumption. In fact, electric tank systems are being phased out. Find out how different systems compare in terms of efficiency.
Light globe comparison guide
Check out our comparison guide to see how different types of light globes compare in terms of how much energy they consume, how much light they produce per watt, and what other factors you need to consider.
How to calculate heating and cooling costs
Heating and cooling can be very expensive, and knowing what you're paying to use your heaters and air conditioners is a good way to rein in your usage. Here's how to calculate your costs.
What is passive design?
Ever noticed that some houses are cooler or warmer than others without relying heavily on powered cooling or heating devices? This usually comes down to clever design...
Which cooling systems are most efficient?
If you need to artificially cool your home, it's well worth considering how much that'll cost, and what kinds of options you have. Air conditioners are effective, but they're also very energy hungry...
Which heaters are most energy efficient?
There are many different types of heaters, and many different sorts of fuels you can use to heat your home. Find out how each compares in terms of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions.
Design an energy efficient kitchen
Kitchens are busy places filled with all kinds of energy-hungry appliances and specialised work surfaces. Find out what kinds of choices you can make to create a more energy efficient kitchen.
What is energy management?
Relatively speaking, there’s a tremendous amount of energy used in Australian homes these days. And while our energy consumption is beginning to decrease, we’re still consuming almost twice as much per capita as we did in 1960.
What is water management?
Water management’s the process of assessing how water’s used and abused throughout your home, and then managing and monitoring for increase efficiency. Find out how to improve your water management.
How does solar power work?
The sun is the greatest source of energy in our solar system, throwing out heat and light in huge quantities across vast distances to reach us here on Earth. Find out how solar panels work to harness it.
How is solar power installed?
Read our simple guide on what to expect if you're planning on getting solar panels installed. Find out what to look for, who to talk to and how to get a deal that suits you.
How to choose a solar setup
There are many different models and suppliers of PV systems. Find out how to narrow down your options by first figuring out what you really need.
Pros & cons of solar
Most of Australia has more than enough sunlight to make solar power a sensible and effective choice - but it's not for everyone. Find out more about the pros and cons of solar power.
Why choose wind power?
Wind, like solar, can help you generate your own electricity using an infinite and fuel-free resource - and sometimes it may make more sense than solar. Find out if wind power is right for you.
How to install a wind turbine
If you’re considering wind power as an option, there are a few questions you'll need to be able to answer to make sure it's right for your needs, and to ensure you know what to look for.
What's a sustainable home?
Pinning down exactly what constitutes a ‘sustainable home’ isn't easy - but understanding the kinds of things that really matter will help you go a long way towards building one.
Types of solar setups
Although most solar panel installations will go on roofs, this isn't always an option. Learn about solar pergolas, ground-based solar arrays and other ways in which you can install solar panels in your home.