All-electric
Staying warm this winter: A buyers guide to heating
As autumn declines into another long winter, it seems an opportune time to revisit one of our most popular buyers guides: our essential guide to heating yourself and your home.
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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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Sustainable tech
Going electric with hydronic heating
One year after converting from gas to heat pump hydronic heating, Peter Hormann gives us a full account of the upgrades at his family’s Melbourne home and how they are staying comfy and zero carbon.
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Cooling
Underground cool
Architect Alvyn Williams describes why and how you might want to take advantage of the more stable temperatures underground to improve passive cooling, heating and ventilation.
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Buyers guides
Beat the winter chills: A guide to electric heating options
As we head into the colder months, thoughts turn to staying warm. What’s the best electric heating system for you?
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Heating
Heating case study: converting gas to heat pump hydronic
This 1908 weatherboard Edwardian in Melbourne has been renovated, extended and insulated — and is making the switch to all-electric, powered by solar PV and 100% GreenPower.
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DIY
Heating people, not spaces: the advantages of personal heating
How much energy can you save by heating yourself instead of your home? Will you be as comfortable? Dave Southgate describes his personal heating experiment.
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Buyers guides
Not just window dressing: High-performance curtains and blinds
Internal window coverings can protect privacy and dramatically improve the thermal function of a house, and if you choose with care, they can help keep you comfortable for years, writes Anna Cumming.
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Heating
Beyond solar PV: Renewable heat and why we need it
There’s more to renewable energy than just electricity. Renewable heat is an important alternative to gas for Australian homes and industry, writes Tim Forcey.
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All-electric
All-electric and hydronic: A model of efficiency
There's a lot to learn from this highly insulated and well-sealed renovation in Melbourne, not least how a heat pump is providing both hydronic heating and hot water. Cameron Munro explains the house's modelling-led upgrades and the tweaks made along the way.
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