Return in Light

The energy-efficient home office

Working at home has become the new normal for many of us. Lance Turner takes a look at how you can help reduce your energy consumption while stuck at home, with a focus on ensuring your computer setup is fit for purpose and not an energy guzzler.

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.

Goodbye to Bass Strait gas

After 55 years, Bass Strait gas output is running down. Are you ready, asks Tim Forcey?

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.

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.

A tale of three winters

In a well-designed house, can you get by without heating? And how does far infrared heating compare to split systems, for efficiency and comfort? Jenny Edwards put her own home to the test.

Interview with a designer: cladding in the sub-tropics

Rain and heat mean different cladding and finishing choices in the sub-tropics, says Stephanie Skyring, an architect based in Brisbane. But a focus on sustainable materials is key, no matter the climate.

Cladding case study: Charred for a long life

Quentin Irvine has been making and using charred timber cladding since 2015, both on his own house and for clients.

Cladding case study: Timber cottage with low-maintenance twist

This house in Willunga, SA, uses timber cladding for a cottage feel, but adds low-maintenance Colorbond and magnesium oxide board for the hard-to-reach areas.