Renew 159 out now: aircrete, heating buyers guide, sustainable dying, tyre recycling and more!
In Renew 159, we revisit one of our most popular buyers guides just in time for winter: the comprehensive heating buyers guide, with a detailed comparison of hydronic and reverse-cycle systems plus an overview of personal heating, tips for renters, and more. We also meet the couple building Australia’s first council-approved aircrete home on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, examine the decarbonisation of the arts industry, and take a detailed look at sustainable dying—from water cremation to sustainable cemeteries.
A bumper edition of our regular recycling series examines tyre recycling, while Rob McLeod examines how the energy transition provides an opportunity to improve cooling in rental properties. Elsewhere, Lance Turner takes a detailed look at the facts behind the media noise about lithium-ion battery fires, our EV guru Bryce Gaton updates his quinquennial examination of EV carbon footprints, and we visit Melbourne institution CERES to hear about their new EV-powered carbon-free food delivery service.
There’s also a chance to win one of 24 Residential Efficiency Scorecard assessments for your home—valued at $400 each!—plus our regular crossword, opinion section, member profile, and plenty more.
Renew 159 is on sale now and available to purchase online and in newsagents. Or, you can always subscribe, and guarantee you’ll get every issue delivered to your door.
further reading
Sustainable tech
Preparing homes and towns for floods
For those in flood-prone areas, preparing your home for a flood isn’t just smart; it’s essential. Without it, recovering from flood damage can be slow and difficult. But with the right retrofits, and an understanding of flood policy and insurance in Australia, damage can be minimised, and life can return to normal more quickly.
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Pears Report
Energy costs, climate impacts and quality of life
Alan Pears brings us the latest news and analysis from the energy sector.
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Products
Product profile: Smart, simple hot water
Commercial vehicles are a big contributor to Australia’s greenhouse emissions, but slowly we are seeing more affordable light commercial EVs entering the market here.
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