Renew 159 out now: aircrete, heating buyers guide, sustainable dying, tyre recycling and more!

In Renew 159, we revisit one of our most popular buyers guides just in time for winter: the comprehensive heating buyers guide, with a detailed comparison of hydronic and reverse-cycle systems plus an overview of personal heating, tips for renters, and more. We also meet the couple building Australia’s first council-approved aircrete home on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, examine the decarbonisation of the arts industry, and take a detailed look at sustainable dying—from water cremation to sustainable cemeteries.
A bumper edition of our regular recycling series examines tyre recycling, while Rob McLeod examines how the energy transition provides an opportunity to improve cooling in rental properties. Elsewhere, Lance Turner takes a detailed look at the facts behind the media noise about lithium-ion battery fires, our EV guru Bryce Gaton updates his quinquennial examination of EV carbon footprints, and we visit Melbourne institution CERES to hear about their new EV-powered carbon-free food delivery service.
There’s also a chance to win one of 24 Residential Efficiency Scorecard assessments for your home—valued at $400 each!—plus our regular crossword, opinion section, member profile, and plenty more.
Renew 159 is on sale now and available to purchase online and in newsagents. Or, you can always subscribe, and guarantee you’ll get every issue delivered to your door.
further reading

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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Bruce the better motorhome
Dick Clarke tells the story of building his self-sufficient, leave-no-trace motorhome, drawing on renewable materials and energy.
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5B or not 5B
Large scale commercial solar farms can be time consuming to install and commission. Lance Turner looks at a company that has solved those issues.
Read more