Sustainability Begins At Home

Announcement by Sydney Morning Herald - 23rd of September 2008 - 3:00 PM

There is more to being green than changing a few light bulbs, writes Vivienne Reiner.

 When Joanne Mourney started researching how to improve her homeusing green principles, she contacted every kitchen renovationbusiness on the lower North Shore but was unable to get help. Onewoman responded: "I have never been asked that question."

But three years is a long time in sustainability and peopleembarking on the same journey today should find information morereadily available.

To help show the way, the Mourneys' house in Northbridge, alongwith about 100 other homes Australia-wide, will be open to thepublic this weekend for Sustainable House Day.

Surveys show four out of five Australians are concerned aboutthe environment, yet many people do not know where to start. Theanswer, however, could be close to home.

Residential and commercial buildings are a large consumer ofenergy; use in buildings accounts for 23 per cent of Australia'sgreenhouse gas emissions, according to a report released by theAustralian Sustainable Built Environment Council's Climate ChangeTask Group last year.

In 2006 it took three months of research before Mourney stumbledacross the website of the renowned green architect David Baggs, whoadvised her on sustainable products for her kitchen as well as forthe floor. The family has been able to halve energyconsumption.

"We were surprised at the effect of being more efficient and howeasy it was," Mourney says.

Two energy guzzlers - the under-floor heating in two bathroomsand the second fridge - have been switched off. Other improvementsinclude a skylight, insulation in the roof and replacing warpedglass sliding doors, using glass with enhanced insulationproperties.

The Mourneys also installed two 3000-litre rainwater tanks whichsupply water for the toilets, showers and laundry.

A grid-connected solar system generates excess electricity inthe warmer months - including the energy needed to charge anelectric motorbike for the 10-minute ride to work. But in winter,two large trees, an unhelpful aspect and heating needs haveprevented complete self-sufficiency for the family of four.However, the Mourneys plan a few more energy-efficiencymeasures.

The revamp has not come cheap but the Mourneys had some savingswhen Russell Mourney resigned from his position as a Macquarie Bankdirector and joined Solar Shop Australia, then in Adelaide.Fortunately, some green options are not expensive - such as therelatively eco-friendly laminate in the Mourneys' kitchen. And someimprovements can be easy - like turning off appliances at theswitch.

The Mourneys also changed their down-lighting approach andreplaced the incandescent bulbs which chew up 50 watts withenergy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps that use about ninewatts. They are now experimenting with the LED lights - which,unlike some fluorescent lights, do not require fittings to bealtered and are even more energy-efficient.

Mourney says that because the green industry is young, peopleshould beware of shonky installers or people touting products thatcome from an unreliable supplier.

For people building their own home, it is important to find ablock that runs east-west so the living areas benefit from northernsunlight, says Wayne Lever, who consults on sustainable practices:"That's the critical design feature of any sustainable home."Lever's purpose-built, five-star NatHERS-rated home in Glenhavenfeatures 100 sustainable design and building principles. Theserange from an internal double-brick wall which acts as a thermalmass, to use of natural paints, solar hot water, pelmets to retainheat, reversible ceiling fans, recycled tiles and doormats madefrom tyres. Outside, Lever keeps the lawn trim using anEnviromower, which is powered by rechargeable batteries.

As well as ample natural lighting, Lever says a big advantage ofthe clever design is that the house is 20 degrees inside in winterand in summer the temperature does not get above 26 degrees, so airconditioning and heating are never used.

When Lever and his wife, Avril, started looking into buildingtheir sustainable home, the approach was somewhat revolutionary.But they could have built even more sustainably using products onthe market today.

Lever says they generally paid 5 to 10 per cent more for thegreen products but today it should be cheaper. And for all thingssustainable, Lever consults his green "bible": Green Pages.

"Every product that's out there on the marketplace is nowavailable in a sustainable product," Lever says.