Sustainable House Day is back in 2026!
On Sunday, 17 May 2026, neighbours across Australia will open the doors to their homes and share what they’ve learned about making homes more comfortable, affordable and climate-ready.
Visitors step inside beautiful, thoughtfully designed architectural homes, carefully retrofitted weatherboards, or small apartments made cooler for summer. They hear from renters who’ve cut their energy bills with clever upgrades, families who’ve undertaken all-electric renovations, and people rebuilding after floods who explain the choices that now help them sleep better at night. These neighbour-to-neighbour conversations are the heart of Sustainable House Day — and they only happen because people like you put your hand up.
Buy tickets online for Sustainable House Day 2026 now!
News
Advocacy
NSW opens the door to energy efficiency standards for rentals
The NSW Government has opened consultation on minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes, including insulation, heating and cooling, and hot water systems. For the one in three NSW households who rent, the outcome could shape comfort, energy bills and health for years to come. Submissions are open until 31 May 2026.
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Advocacy
AEMC proposed rule change on fixed charges not in consumers’ interests
Renew’s submission to the AEMC electricity pricing review supports fairer energy bills for households but warns that shifting toward higher fixed network charges could undermine solar uptake, energy efficiency and equity. The submission urges reforms that protect consumer choice, encourage clean energy investment and keep electricity pricing simple and affordable.
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Advocacy
Solar Sharers should be checked for unintended consequences
Renew has made a submission to the Federal Government's proposed Solar Sharer Offer whereby consumers are offered free electricity generated by solar in the network. Our submission supports the intent of the proposal and outlines how, with careful design, the SSO could support affordability and grid reliability while maintaining incentives for households to invest in solar and batteries.
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Latest from Sanctuary magazine
News
Sanctuary 75 coming soon: Renovation & retrofit special
Bring on the retrofit revolution! In Sanctuary 75, we turn the spotlight on renovations and retrofits, for eco homes without starting over.
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House profiles
Coastal calm
Prefabrication and a resolutely simple design were key to the realisation of this elegant, flexible-use backyard studio with beautiful ocean views.
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Ideas & Advice
Designers in profile
Sanctuary talks to two skilled home designers on their experiences and what shaped their design philosophies.
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Latest from Renew magazine
All-electric
Mother’s Day
For the maker, the nurturer, the woman shaping a greener future – a subscription to Renew or Sanctuary magazine delivers a year of beautifully considered ideas for sustainable, stylish living, straight to her door.
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Sustainable tech
The Electrify Bouddi experience
In Killcare on the NSW Central Coast, Electrify Bouddi is helping residents accelerate the shift to clean energy. Local journalist Michael Troy reports.
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All-electric
Hidden benefits of solar
In the maelstrom of claims and counterclaims that passes for debate over climate policy in this country, it’s easy to overlook the benefits rooftop solar can deliver, for households and the planet. Paul Barry explains.
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