News & events
Renew 152 out now: energy storage guide
Renew 152 will be out soon, and features our updated energy storage guide and much more.
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Renew magazine is the nation's premier magazine devoted to practical, cost-effective technologies for environmentally sustainable homes and lifestyles.
Policy
7 ways to build resilience
In response to the devastating bushfires and Covid-19, Brendan Condon, Richard Keech and Renew’s Damien Moyse call for seven practical steps to build a new climate-resilient normal for Australia.
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Reuse & recycling
How green are compostable plastics?
Increasingly, some varieties of plastic are marketed as more sustainable. But are they as good as they seem?
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Water saving
Nurturing your native garden
Just how much maintenance do you need in a native garden? Robyn Deed gets some tips from landscaper Haydn Barling on how to sustain a beautiful, biodiverse garden in the suburbs.
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Efficient homes
Keeping the smoke out
How does having a very airtight home impact on smoke infiltration? Cameron Munro and Joel Seagren present results from monitoring Passive House and ‘leaky’ homes this summer.
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Buyers guides
A cladding buyers guide
Building cladding is not just for aesthetics; it is an integral part of a building’s envelope and needs to be carefully selected to ensure the best performance. Lance Turner looks at cladding options and the pros and cons of each material type.
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Hot water heat pump considerations
Tim Forcey takes us through the world of hot water heat pumps, an efficient option for water heating at home. Learn more about heat pumps in our hot water buyers guide, available in Renew 151.
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Solar & batteries
Powering Indigenous communities with renewables
Many remote communities rely on polluting and expensive diesel generation. Jodie Lea Martire seeks out the Indigenous entrepreneurs and partnerships driving a more equitable renewable approach.
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Solar & batteries
Solar spring clean
Solar panels are largely a set-and-forget technology, but the occasional bit of maintenance can keep them performing at their peak. Lance Turner looks at what’s involved.
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Solar & batteries
New battery installation rules
If you’re planning a battery or you already have one, the new rules on where batteries can be located and who can work on them may affect you. Renew’s Andrew Reddaway explains what’s changed.
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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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Renew basics and buyers guides
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
Ending the ICE age, An electric vehicle buyers guide
As the world slowly wakes up to the need to electrify personal transport, the range of electric vehicles is starting to ramp up. Lance Turner looks at how Australia is doing in the move away from fossil fuels, and which EVs you can buy now and in the near future.
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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
Cooling buyers guide: active cooling
Renew magazine's cooling buyers guide gives you all the info on effective shading, ventilation, fans and efficient air conditioning.
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