Real Living Australia - June 2018

SOLAR ELECTRICITY

The promise “By combining energy effi ciency and solar electricity

it’s feasible to have negative (or tiny) energy bills,” says Finn

Peacock, founder of SolarQuotes. “My house has a family of fi ve

and we run a small business from it. Our last electricity bill was

a credit of $128.” What’s involved A solar system consists of

panels on your roof and a small inverter for each panel to convert

the energy to 240V AC. Opting for a battery to store the energy

means you don’t need grid electricity when the sun’s not out.

For more info, go to Cleanenergycouncil.org.au/consumers.

Cost A 3kW system will cost about $4500 to $7500 and may

receive a discount of around $2000 under the Small-scale

Renewable Energy Scheme. Best for Anyone who owns an

unshaded roof and wants to be free of power bills.

WATER-SAVING SHOWERHEAD

The promise Changing to a four-star showerhead that fl ows

at six litres per minute can save 105 kilolitres of water and $315

per year in bills. You’ll save energy too, as less water is heated!

What’s involved Check the Water Rating label for four stars

and water usage between 4.5 to 7.5 litres per minute. According

to the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, which runs

the site Waterrating.gov.au, “a four-star shower will use less water,

and must meet special requirements to make sure the spray comes

out with an adequate force and coverage,” Cost From about $99.

Best for Making a money-saving switch.

ENERGY-SAVING LIGHTBULBS

The promise Lighting is roughly eight to 15 per cent of a typical

household electricity bill – but you can halve this by switching to

LED light bulbs! Plus, you’ll be lowering your home’s greenhouse

gas emissions. What’s involved Get the free Light Bulb Saver

app (Energyrating.gov.au/apps) to help you fi nd the right bulbs.

Not all LEDs are the same in terms of performance,

energy effi ciency or longevity, so it’s worth following

this guidance. Cost LED bulbs are more expensive

upfront but cost less to run over their 15,000 to

50,000 hour lifetime. Best for Everyone! R

“For 85 per cent of the people I talk to, the

motivation for getting solar power is fi nancial

• the eco benefi ts are a bonus. Benefi ts to the

environment include reduced CO2 and particulate

emissions because of your home. Your home can

become part of the solution, not part of the

problem.” – FINN PEACOCK, SOLARQUOTES styling

mette helena rasmussen (right) |

photography

tia borgsmidt (right) |

design

sigurd larsen for the green house (right)

LAUNDRY

SHOP IT!

LEFT TO RIGHT Go Bamboo Biodegradable clothes pegs, $7.95 for 20, Flora&Fauna. Rattan laundry basket in Small, $195, Weylandts. Electrolux 10kg UltraMix

Front Load washing machine, $1344, Harvey Norman. Clothes airer #1, $199, Miss Glass Home. Ecoactive laundry detergent, $21.99 for 1.8L, Omo.

BATHROOM

LEFT TO RIGHT Bamboo toothbrushes, $13.90 for 2, Bamkiki. Contemporary Luna Fixed Overhead shower (4 Star WELS rated), $258, Caroma. Economy Amber

Glass spray bottle (300ml), $5.50, Oils For Life Australia. Estilo WELS 4 Star toilet, $149, Bunnings. Pomegranate Seed Oil and Pink Clay with Bergamot, Pepper and

Sandalwood soaps, $24 each, Sphaera. Philips 8W 806lm Warm White Scene Switch LED globe, $16.95, Bunnings. Pure-Castile liquid soap, $5.95, Dr. Bronner’s.

Look for more

eco-friendly

laundry detergents

that are kinder to

the environment.

Omo Ecoactive uses

plant-based

ingredients,

no dyes and

biodegradable

fragrance.

@reallivingmag

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