“The cheapest rainwater tanks are round
and usually plastic or steel, but are often
not suitable for inner-city houses because
they’re too big. A slim-line tank that goes
up against a wall can be used instead, but
they are generally more expensive.”
- JEAN BRENNAN, SYDNEY’S INNER WEST COUNCIL
RAINWATER TANKS
The promise Sydney Water estimates households
can cut water usage by 40 per cent – that’s a saving
of about $200 a year. “You’ll also have water during
drought periods and if you have a garden you can
use water more freely,” says Jean Brennan, urban
ecology manager at Sydney’s Inner West Council,
which offers a water tank rebate to residents. She
says a huge benefi t is that your tank will help to
prevent stormwater from degrading local waterways.
What’s involved Brennan suggests you look at
how much water you use, how you use it and the
space available before deciding on the size of tank.
“If you have space for a larger tank, you can plumb
it into your house and use the water to fl ush the
toilets or wash clothes,” she says. Cost Small tanks
start at $500, in-ground tanks are $2000 and up,
and slimline tanks for small spaces are about $1000.
Installation could be $300 to $1000. Best for
Eco-conscious homeowners – especially those
renovating or building a new home.CEILING & WALL INSULATION
The promise “Insulation is one of the best energy-
saving measures you can take, and generally pays
back its investment quickly,” says energy analyst
at the Alternative Technology Association (ATA),
Andrew Reddaway. A 2016 study by Sustainability
Victoria found topping up ceiling and wall insulation
reduced annual heating bills by about $322. What’s
involved “For ceilings, a popular option is insulation
batts, which are easy to add in most homes,” Andrew
says. Batts can be installed during construction,
but to retrofi t, options include making small holes
in plasterboard or external cladding to pump in
insulation. Check out the ATA’s Insulation Buyer’s
Guide at Renew.org.au/buyers-guide. Cost Ceiling
insulation costs from $7 to $16 a sq m. Wall insulation
batts are about $8 a sq m – roughly $1000 for a
typical house. Both can be installed yourself. Pump-
in cavity insulation starts from $4400 and may
require an electrician to check wiring. Best for
All homeowners seeking to lower energy costs.GREEN WHEELS
The auto industry is all afl utter with the next gen in green
drives. Here’s how to tell your hybrid from your electric...ELECTRIC
What they are: Electric vehicles (EVs) run only on electricity. How they
work: Electricity is stored in a battery pack. Some cars have two engines for
the front and rear wheels. Charge at home (you’ll need a carport or garage)
or a charging station. How they reduce environmental impact: Zero
exhaust emissions means no harmful air pollution. The electricity to charge
the car may be sourced from greener energy such as solar or wind. Some
EVs are made from recycled materials. Cost: Battery costs are dropping, so
EVs will become more affordable – Tesla’s $60,000 Model 3 is coming soon.
Running costs are about 70 per cent less than conventional vehicles.HYBRID
What they are: Hybrid vehicles have a petrol and electric set-up. How
they work: There are several types – some run just on electricity, others
only run on petrol. Some models use petrol to charge the electric battery,
while others can be plugged-in to recharge. How they reduce
environmental impact: Hybrids have smaller petrol engines and use less
fuel. Studies have shown one of the most famous hybrids, the Toyota Prius
emits about 66 per cent less CO2 than similar conventional cars. Cost: The
cost is more in line with conventional models, starting at $25,000. ASmall home, small footprint In the market for a new home? Consider converted shipping
containers, like this Gippsland home by Modhouse Australia, featuring solar panels and windows to
encourage cross-ventilation, giving it an energy rating of 7.8 stars – which means no energy bills!text
molly furzer
| photography
annette o’brien/bauersyndication.com.au (left); shelley pri
ce (right) |
design
archier for sawmill house (left); modhouse australia (right)
real living129
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