Northern Territory News
Source: wire
Homeowners have been urged to take grass roots action to green their homes through a Climate Change on a Shoe String program to complement environmental programs aimed at improving sustainability in Australian homes.
Climate Change on a Shoe String was a simple combination of management and basic upgrading of fittings, many being low cost, according to Archicentre's Queensland spokesman Angus Kell.
He said the management and maintenance of small fittings around the home, such as dripping taps, the installation of a water efficient shower heads and turning off lights and electrical equipment such as Plasma TVs or computers when not in use, were all part of the simple plan.
Mr Kell said most established homes were neither designed nor built with much regard for energy efficiency or water conservation.
"Ironically, many of our earliest homes came complete with verandas and water tanks, but recently these features have been abandoned as homes have become bigger, more energy-hungry and more water-thirsty than ever before over the past two decades,'' he said.
"This Climate Change on a Shoe String concept will be driven home by the rapidly increasing prices in energy and water which are set to increase by 70 per cent to 100 per cent in the next three to five years as governments move to pay for expensive new infrastructure to secure water and energy supplies.''
Mr Kell said the challenge for Australian families was to improve the environmental performance of existing homes, reducing the demand for energy and water, but at the same time maintaining their existing quality of life.
"It is also important that homeowners renovating ensure that any home improvements or renovations are sustainably designed by someone qualified and experienced to maximise the potential,'' he said.
"Many people are concerned enough about the environment to spend money on energy or water-saving home improvements, but often are looking for a starting point.
"The first step was to simply conduct an audit of the home to find out where and how energy was wasted.
"The Federal Government's website www.yourhome.gov.au was a good starting point to find information and make a list related to homes, he said."