News & events
Renew 171 out now: we look at building in fire zones, community resilience, the circular economy, timber sustainability, maritime CO2 emissions, Phillip Island’s push towards renewables, and much more!
Renew 171 is out now! We look at building in fire zones, community resilience, the circular economy, and a whole lot more. We get some lessons from an energy efficiency expert, look at timber sustainability, and discover the issue of maritime CO2 emissions. We also take a trip to Phillip Island to see how it's moving to renewables, look at some basic home electricity backup options, and get some tips on staying warm this winter. And, of course, Sustainable House Day is fast approaching, so find out when and where you can visit some of Australia's most sustainable homes.
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Renew magazine is the nation's premier magazine devoted to practical, cost-effective technologies for environmentally sustainable homes and lifestyles.
Make your home more efficient
ReNew
Building a bigger backup
If you have critical systems that need to stay powered in a blackout, you need some sort of battery backup. Lance Turner describes his DIY system for supplying water without mains electricity.
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Energy assessments
Lessons from an energy expert
The best way to do energy efficiency upgrades to your home? Call an expert before you start, writes Greg Howell.
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ReNew
The third way of organic waste management
Ashley Wearne makes a case for community composting.
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Transport & travel
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.
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Research
Renew delivers webinar on batteries
View a video on batteries in community buildings. Also relevant to households.
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Renewable grid
Hydrogen: help or hype?
Australia’s government is currently developing a strategy for including hydrogen in a future low-carbon energy system. Renew’s energy projects team has looked at where it has potential, and where it doesn’t.
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Research
All-electric solar homes save thousands over gas: report
New homes that are all-electric and have solar power will save their owners thousands of dollars according to a new report by Renew.
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All-electric
Direct PV solar hot water buyers guide
Solar hot water can dramatically reduce your water heating costs, but what if your house isn’t suitable for a conventional solar water heater? There is an alternative that can be used almost anywhere you have solar access, as Lance Turner explains.
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Buyers guides
Finding efficiency and quality: An appliance buying guide
When an appliance goes bang we often rush to buy a replacement. But there are important steps to take before you impulse buy. Lance Turner explains what to consider when looking for a new appliance.
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Buyers guides
MVHR buyers guide
As homes become more airtight, the need for mechanical ventilation grows. Heat recovery systems bring in fresh air with minimal heat loss. Joel Seagren explains how they work and what to look for.
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Buyers guides
A draught sealing buyers guide
Draughts can make your home far less comfortable than it needs to be, particularly in winter. Sealing them up is one of the simplest things to do for an energy-efficient home. Find out where the gaps are and how to fix them in our first-ever draught sealing buyers guide.
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