Inspiring, enabling and advocating sustainable living

Solar system buyers guide 2020

Recycling solar

With the recent boom in solar PV installations and the increasing uptake of storage batteries, we take a look at what will happen to these products when they reach the end of their lives.

Offsetting EV energy at home

Electric vehicles are finally emerging in Australia. A recent Renew study explores to what extent solar PV and energy storage can offset an EV’s grid energy usage and bills.

Fan club

Today, sustainable designers agree that ceiling fans can be useful in cutting down on the need for more energy-intensive air conditioning.

On the drawing board: Nineties townhouse turnaround

Houses only 30 years old shouldn’t need major renovations. But many 1990s townhouses, often built cheaply and poorly insulated in this pre-energy ratings era, are not ageing well. Melbourne architect Ben Callery tackled one recently, demonstrating what can be done to turn these homes around.

Getting it right from the start: Dos and don’ts for your sustainable build or renovation

A new house, or even a big renovation, is a dauntingly large project and often a significant financial investment – and few of us do it often enough to become experts.