Renewable grid
Goodbye to Bass Strait gas
After 55 years, Bass Strait gas output is running down. Are you ready, asks Tim Forcey?
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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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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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Heating
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.
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Efficient homes
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.
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Efficient homes
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.
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Efficient homes
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.
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Efficient homes
Cladding case study: Cladding connections
This home in Melbourne has cladding made from beautiful 1960s timber, reused from the house that stood on the site before, combined with Colorbond and Shadowclad ply.
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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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Efficient homes
Considerations when buying and using appliances
Energy efficient expert Alan Pears on what you need to think about to minimise energy use when buying and operating appliances.
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DIY
DIY: Insulating aluminium windows
Many Australian houses feature aluminium-framed windows, which perform poorly thermally. But performance can be greatly improved with a simple DIY project. Glenn Newman explains how his friend Lisa Rime came up with an easy system for DIY double glazing.
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