News & events
Renew 151: energy transition special coming soon
Renewable energy can be beautiful: see how in our Renew 151, our energy transition special, on news stands soon.
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Renew magazine is the nation's premier magazine devoted to practical, cost-effective technologies for environmentally sustainable homes and lifestyles.
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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Electric vehicles
EV charging hits the streets
How do you charge your EV if you don’t have off-street parking? A ‘smart’ light pole and a pop-up charging pillar are options being explored for on-street car charging, explains Bryce Gaton.
Read moreRead more on making your home more efficient
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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gardening
Gardening for habitat
Beauty, habitat and always more to learn: there’s a lot to be said for bringing a bit of the bush into the suburbs. Bill Aitchison and Sue Guymer describe their Australian native garden in Melbourne’s east.
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Efficient homes
Air conditioner vs hydronic heating
Heat pumps can provide air conditioning or hydronic heating. But which is more efficient, and which more comfortable? Cameron Munro tells us what he learned by trying both in his super-insulated home.
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Scenes from Sustainable House Day 2019
Our Sustainable House Day event this on 15 September featured a record 252 homes open across Australia and nearly 50,000 visitors. Watch our video to see some scenes from the day.
Read more on solar and batteries
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.
Read more
Solar & batteries
On the energy storage scene
We talk to installers and Renew’s own energy policy team to find out what’s happening in the world of energy storage. Where are prices heading, what subsidies are available and are there trends of note?
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Sustainable tech
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.
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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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