![A house built of straw: Learn how with a strawbale workshop](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/a-house-built-of-straw1-816x524.jpg)
A house built of straw: Learn how with a strawbale workshop
You’re unlikely to go from building newbie to strawbale expert after a four-day workshop, but you should come out with basic skills, a better understanding of the process and the ‘right’ questions to ask.
Read more![Designed to last: Long live sustainable housing](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/renew_132_featured_designed_to_last-816x524.jpg)
Designed to last: Long live sustainable housing
What would our houses look like if we designed them to last 100 years, or longer? Ande Bunbury, designer of the award-winning Double Century House concept, examines the issues.
Read more![Comfortably ahead: A tale of two heaters](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/airconremote-1224x786-816x524.jpg)
Comfortably ahead: A tale of two heaters
Turn on your air conditioner—and knock hundreds of dollars off your heating bill. Tim Forcey describes the learnings (and savings) gained from his experiment with reverse-cycle electric heating.
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Subscribe to Renew magazine
Australia's premier magazine dedicated to technology for a sustainable future.
Subscribe![Energy-efficient renters](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/R134Renters_1TimForcey-816x524.jpg)
Energy-efficient renters
Sarah Coles attends a Melbourne house energy audit—and learns the steps renters can take to use less energy and reduce household bills.
Read more![It’s in the Stars: The importance of efficiency ratings](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/renew_134_featured_image_importance_of_efficiency_ratings-816x524.jpg)
It’s in the Stars: The importance of efficiency ratings
With household appliances the main contributors to a home's energy use, it makes sense to 'buy smart' and 'use smart'. Eva Matthews investigates how to achieve savings and help save the planet.
Read more![Reducing air conditioner impacts: The state of solar cooling](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/renew_130_featured_image_reducing_air_conditioner_impacts-816x524.jpg)
Reducing air conditioner impacts: The state of solar cooling
It's the holy grail of cooling – using the sun to power your cooling system. Mike Dennis from ANU takes us on a tour of the solar cooling market and where it's headed.
Read more![Downlight transformers: the good, the bad, and the very inefficient](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Transformers-816x524.jpg)
Downlight transformers: the good, the bad, and the very inefficient
Not all halogen downlight transformers are created equal when using them with retrofit LED globes. Alfred Howell explains how the wrong transformers can be costing you money.
Read more![Fresh air without the heat loss (or gain)](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/renew_127_featured_image_mechanical_ventilation_with_heat_recovery-816x524.jpg)
Fresh air without the heat loss (or gain)
Clare Parry explains what mechanical ventilation is and why we might want to use it as our homes become better sealed.
Read more![From earth, cans and tyres: Earthship Ironbark](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/renew_133_featured_image_earthship_ironbark-816x524.jpg)
From earth, cans and tyres: Earthship Ironbark
It took a few years, but Australia's first permitted earthship has set sail in its new life as B&B accommodation, and as a living laboratory. Owner-builder Martin Freney describes the voyage so far.
Read more![New choices in lighting: An LED buyers guide](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LED-filament-globe-786x524.jpg)
New choices in lighting: An LED buyers guide
The move to LED lighting has become mainstream, with more options appearing constantly. Lance Turner takes a look at what’s available.
Read more![Mass effect: <br>The messy realities of mass](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/renew_132_featured_image_mass_effect-816x524.jpg)
Mass effect:
The messy realities of mass
Mass in buildings can help moderate internal temperatures, but it can also be tricky to control its effects. Alan Pears examines when and where thermal mass works well – and when it doesn't.
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