Housing Sustainability Pyramid

Step 1 - Learning & Understanding

Learn and understand what a sustainable lifestyle is all about, is the first step a home owner should undertake. This first step towards sustainability at home is free with an abundant amount of information available through the Internet. Education is the most important tool in everyone's toolbox when undertaking a new building project or renovation. And remember that a good (passive solar) design shouldn't cost you anymore than a bad (and unsustainable) design.

Exhibitors that can help with Step 1

// Alternative Technology Association, Stand L02
// Australian Fire Bunkers, Stand O37
// Australian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA),
Stand I13
// Building Designers Association of Victoria,
Stand J14
// BuildSafe, Stand A47
// Consumer Affairs, Stand G02

// Global Modular Housing, Stand O27
// Master Builders Association of Victoria,
Stands G26, G30, F35, F26
// Maxa Design, Stand N27
// National Association of Steel Frame Housing,
Stand M38
// Naxos Group, Stand H26
// Theme Homes, Stand D13

Useful Tips:
// Start by researching the Internet (Google) for ‘Sustainable Designs'
// When building a new home, look for a block orientation that allows for a
   passive solar design
// Look for a designer/builder with ‘green' credentials
// When selecting a design, remember: ‘Small is beautiful'
// Incorporate, where possible, green or sustainable building materials
// Ensure that your design meets to required energy star rating before finalizing your plans
// Include energy and water saving fixtures in your specifications
// Remember that an energy efficient house design doesn't require ‘large' heating or
   cooling systems. Smaller systems are almost always more energy efficient
// Make yourself a ‘green & sustainable ‘expert. Builders and trades will be impressed about
   your knowledge and will accept your advice
// Don't be afraid to use an outside expert to ensure that you get the sustainability you want

Step 2 - Free Energy Reducing Strategies

Look where and how to save on energy in your home. There are a number of no-cost strategies that will reduce your overall power consumption.

Start by looking at your electrical appliances that are 24/7 on standby. You might not be aware of this, but many appliances like TV's and recorders are always consuming power. If you are just about to replace an old or broken appliance, shop around for one that gives you a high energy star rating. If there is no star label on the appliance, don't buy it!

Ratings apply to both electrical and gas appliances. Your last step in this no cost exercise is to lower the temperature setting on your heating and cooling systems, including the hot water system. Remember the simple rule that a 10 degree temperature difference between inside and outside will provide a good level of comfort. Adjust your thermostat accordingly.

Exhibitors that can help with Step 2

// Alternative Technology Association, Stand L02
// Building Designers Association of Victoria,
Stand J14
// Efergy-Martix Pacific, Stand O14

// Master Builders Association of Victoria,
Stand G26, G30, F35, F26
// Maxa Design, Stand N27
// National Association of Steel Frame Housing,
Stand M38

Useful Tips:
// Plasma TV's use more energy than LCD TV's
// Use a ‘Future Switch' to turn off multiple appliances on standby power
// Purchase an indoor/outdoor thermometer to keep track of temperature changes
// Unplug your rechargeable battery charger once the light turns green.
// Charge your mobile phone in the car during travel
// Avoid toys that need batteries

Step 3 - The Lighting

Lighting in a house is more important that you might think. It not only allows you to do things after it gets dark, it also can highlight certain features of your home and create the right kind of atmosphere. To reduce the energy consumption of your lighting, the first thing to do is replacing old light bulbs with the more energy efficient varieties, such as CFL's and LED's. If you would like to make a big impact on your energy bill, stop using halogen lights, especially the halogen down lights in your ceiling! Each down light consumes about 50 to 60 watts and the attached transformer in you ceiling space uses an additional 10 watts or so. Check how many of these are turned on with one single switch! Remember that the more heat comes of your light, the more energy it wastes!

Exhibitors that can help with Step 3

// Auzled Lighting, Stand A11
// Energy Reduction Systems, Stand O04

Useful Tips:
// Most halogen down lights can be replaced with CFL's or LED's
// Avoid multiple lights being switched on with a single switch
// Consider fire rated down light covers to be installed over down lights
// When renovating or building consider ceiling hugging fixtures over recessed lights.
// Orientate living spaces to the North. This will reduce the need for artificial lighting
// Light (solar) tubes or light wells in the ceiling offer free natural light

Step 4 - Sealing Building Envelope

Sealing your house is without any doubt the most efficient way of keeping energy (heat/cool) inside your home. Although many people will think that insulation and double glazing are more effective in keeping the home comfortable and cheap to run, sealing the holes in the walls, ceiling and floor should always be your number one priority. Walk around your home on a windy day and feel with your hand along windows, doors, wall vents and exhaust fans! You also can try this with an incense stick or tissue paper. You will be amazed about the amount of air rushing through. All holes and gaps combined amount to roughly a permanent open window of 1.5 square meters. Weather-stripping, caulking and draft stoppers are some of the products that will give you a good result and a lower energy bill.

Exhibitors that can help with Step 4

// Advantec Australasia, Stand P32
// Air Genius, Stand P24

Useful Tips:
// Check for draughts on windy days: windows, doors, wall vents
// Place draft stoppers over bathroom exhaust fans
// Do you have those old fashioned wall vents? : Seal them with plaster!
// Weather strip your attic access (usually to be found in utility area)
// Renting your home?: Consider heat shrink film as temporary double glazing

Step 5 - Appliances

Your appliances can be responsible for a large chunk of your energy budget. Especially those appliances that run 24/7. Do you have more than one fridge in your house? Do you have a beer fridge in the garage? Inefficient dishwashers, washing machines and dryers can cost you hundreds of extra dollars. So, before installing a solar system on your roof, just try to find out how efficient your appliances are. Saving on energy is always easier and cheaper than creating energy. The same applies to your hot water service: Water saving taps and water efficient appliances should always be considered before installing a solar hot water service. Check and compare the energy star labels on every appliance before making a decision.

Exhibitors that can help with Step 5

// Easy Hometronic, Stand A25
// Efergy-Martix Pacific, Stand O14

Useful Tips:
// Check for broken seals on your fridge. They make the fridge work much harder
// The larger the fridge, the more energy it uses. Pick a size that suits your needs
// One larger fridge will use less energy than two smaller ones
// Manual defrost fridges must be regularly defrosted to run efficient
// Front loading washing machines are often more efficient than top loading machines
// Use the cold water washing option whenever possible
// Run dishwashers only when full
// Take the economical program option whenever possible

Step 6 - Insulation & Ventilation

Insulation and ventilation are two smart ways of controlling temperature and comfort in your house.

Insulating your ceiling, external walls and (sometimes) floor can provide a good thermal barrier and minimize temperature transfer between the inside and the outside. Proper placement of insulation is crucial to its performance: If 5% of the area to be insulated is missed, the overall effectiveness is reduced by 50%. Also remember that insulation does not stop air movement, and therefore cannot be considered a sealing product.

Ventilating your home is important in several ways: In summer it can help getting rid of excess heat. Opening windows and allowing cool breezes to flow through the house is a smart and cheap way of cooling a house down. This is called cross ventilation and should be part of a sustainable design. In winter, mechanical ventilation (or exhaust ventilation) will assist in getting rid of kitchen smells and excess moisture from bathrooms & laundry. Too much moisture (or high relative humidity) is often the cause of mold growth on walls and dust mite growth. Two of the major triggers of childhood asthma.

Exhibitors that can help with Stage 6

// Advantec Australasia, Stand P32
// Air2Energy, Stand N16
// Asbestos Waterproof & Insulation Services, Stand E03
// AUSCA Blinds & Shutters, Stand K31
// Carrousel Blinds, Stand H34

// Eclipse Sun Control & Patios, Stand J51
// Enviroflex, Stand D2
// Instant Shade Marquees & Umbrellas, Stand F40
// Instyle Home Accessories, Stand J03

Useful Tips:
// Determine the appropriate thickness of insulation for external walls (standard is 90 mm)
// Never insulate over ceiling down lights, but keep a clearance of approx 200 mm around
// When using blow-in insulation in ceiling, consider installation of fire-rated
   down light covers
// Insulating internal walls only benefits noise reduction
// It's the trapped air in Batts that provide the insulation: never squash Batts to make it fit
// Make sure that ceiling Batts are always fully fitted over the top of the external walls
// Casement windows and double hung windows provide better cross ventilation
   than awning windows
// When designing a home from scratch, determine the prevailing wind direction
   to maximise cross ventilation
// Always ensure that ceiling exhaust fans have a draft stopper installed
// Buy a Relative Humidity (RH) reader to learn about the humidity in your house:
   between 30 to 55% RH guarantees good indoor air quality

Step 7 - Water Heating

Hot water use in a home accounts for a substantial part of the energy bill. As mentioned in Step 5, first install water saving shower heads, water saving taps and water efficient appliances before purchasing a efficient hot water service.

Choosing a solar hot water system is not easy. A good starting point is the Sustainability Victoria website where you can find information the efficiency ratings and the available rebates. If your house is hooked up to natural gas, always choose this energy source as a booster for your system. Instantaneous hot water systems will only use energy when you need hot water, and the lack of a storage tank means that you are not wasting energy keeping water hot 24/7. In a new home design it is recommended to ‘cluster' the bathroom/laundry/kitchen areas and install the hot water system nearby. This reduces the lag time of hot water reaching its destination.

Exhibitors that can help with Stage 7

// Braemac Energy, Stand M37
// The Heat Shop, Stand K14

Useful Tips:
// Turn down the thermostat on your hot water heater
// Have shorter showers
// Insulate your hot water heater and the connection pipes
// Locate your hot water heater close to where the water is required
// Always put the plug in the sink when using hot water
// Switch off the hot water system when you go on a holiday
// Use efficient shower heads and flow restrictors on taps
// Fix all leaks as soon as possible

Step 8 - Space Conditioning

It cannot be said often enough: It is crucial to undertake all the right steps (steps 1,4 & 6), before deciding on a heating and/or cooling system. A badly orientated, un-insulated and leaky home will require a massive system to condition any space (with an energy bill to match).

A small efficient system will have no problem heating or cooling a tightly sealed, well insulated house. Always look for the energy star rating of the system and compare the labeled energy consumption. Remember the rule: Cheap systems are expensive to run and expensive systems are cheap to run. Using renewable heating appliances such as heat pumps are an excellent alternative to the standard ducted gas heaters.

Exhibitors that can help with Stage 8

// Air2Energy, Stand N16
// Chiminea & Aussie Heatwave Fireplaces, Stand M22
// Braemac Energy, Stand M37
// Jetmaster, Stand I26
// Nobo Panel Heating, Stand O39

// Real Flame, Stand F22
// Smart Roof Australia, Stand M08
// The Heat Shop, Stand K14
// Westaflex, Stand G22

Useful Tips:
// Let your thermostat control your heater. Try adjusting your heat to around 18-21˚C
// Use the correct size heater for the room. Overheating wastes energy, while small
   heaters on a maximum setting will struggle to heat your room
// Don't leave your heater running overnight
// Use timers on heaters to make sure they turn on and off when you need them
// Heat only those rooms that are being used
// Carpet on wooden floors minimises heat loss
// Block off any chimneys that are unused or install dampers to stop draughts
   and prevent heat loss
// Remember to close your curtains to keep the heat in on cool nights
// Install ceiling fans in rooms that have high or cathedral ceilings. The ceiling fan
   should be running at its lowest speed to slowly push the warm air where it is needed
// Fit automatic door closers to ensure back and front doors are closed after use

Step 9 - Windows Insulation

The last decade has seen a substantial increase in suppliers of double glazed windows and doors. In many cases home owners will pick their windows and doors to suit the design of their home without being aware of their performance. The WERS (window energy rating scheme) is a great tool to find out how efficient these products are. Be aware of the fact that windows and (glazed) doors are rated on their overall performance. This means that glass, frame, weather stripping and hardware are all considered in the rating. Double glazing in a poorly weather stripped, aluminum frame will not perform as well as the same glazing in a timber frame with high quality weather stripping and a good locking system.

Exhibitors that can help with Stage 9

// Aalta Screen Systems, Stand K52
// ABCO Stainless Steel, Stand A09
// AC Bamboo Flooring, Stand I18
// Art Windows, Stand K10
// Australian Choice Timbers, Stand I10
// Binq, Stand L26
// BZM Australia, Stand F44
// Certainteed PVC Windows, Stand K26
// CSR Hebel, Stand K22
// Danish Constructions, Stand H33
// Easy Hometronic, Stand A25
// Eco Plus Double Glazing, Stand E22

// Ecobright Energy Solutions, Stand O29
// Global Modular Housing, Stand O27
// Green Energy Bricks, Stand C18
// Jemanaka, Stand K09
// Nu-Eco Windows, Stand K36
// Paarhammer Windows & Doors, Stand D08
// PVC Windows Australia, Stand F46
// Rylock, Stand H10
// StopNoise, Stand K04
// Window Energy Solutions, Stand L38
// Trend Windows & Doors, Stand L52
// Visionarii PVC Windows, Stand I36
// Windows for Life, Stand I22

Useful Tips:
// Shade North & West facing glass: 50% of unwanted heat gain is through windows
// If shading of windows is not practical, consider toned glass to reduce heat gain
// Size windows appropriate to the room
// The space between the glass of double glazed windows matters: 6mm spacing
is substantially less efficient than 12 mm spacing
// Double glazed, Low E windows allow winter sun in and reduce heat loss at night
// Double glazed skylights are great for living spaces, not for bedrooms

Step 10 - Renewable Options

You are just about to undertake the final step in becoming fully sustainable! As explained in Step 5, first replace that old beer fridge in the garage. It will chew up all the power you will generate with a solar system (also called PV, or Photovoltaic system). Before committing, do your research. Size of system, type of panel, type of inverter and available roof space are just some of the things to consider. It is always good to check the Clean Energy Council's website with a listing of accredited installers by suburb. This accreditation will give you the assurance that you're dealing with a professional company. Government rebates schemes seems to change from year to year. Contact Federal and State Department to find out about rebates you might be eligible for.

Exhibitors that can help with Stage 10

// Apricus Solar, Stand F14
// Beyond Building Energy, Stand J02
// Braemac Energy, Stand M37
// Clear Solar, Stand M40
// Global Energy, Stand O10
// Nu Energy, Stand M14

// Rezeko, Stand N14
// Solar Gain, Stand E26
// Solar Shop Australia, Stand N38
// Solar Switch, Stand F04
// Solarark, Stand M2

Useful Tips:
// Before you buy, check the feed in tariff details with your energy retailer
// Plan for the future and pre-wire for a solar system
// Be aware that there are many different solar panels on the market : look for
maximum efficiency
// If possible consider an inverter that allows for future additional panels
// Outdoor mounted inverters need protection from rain and sun
// Some solar systems are designed to accommodate North AND West facing panels
// Visit the Clean Energy Council website for a list of accredited installers