ReNew Issue 122

Date published: 1 Jan 2013

ReNew Issue 122 is out now!

  • Finders keepers: the hows and whys of reuse
  • Homemade house
  • Journey from schoolroom to home
  • Shipping container reuse
  • Radically sustainable homes: evaluating earthship performance
  • Mixing it up: upscaling waste paper
  • What a corker!
  • Towards guilt-free cooling
  • Doing small wind right
  • Selecting PV panels in a buyers market
  • Pool pump buyers guide
  • Inverter buyers guide: mains power anywhere
  • How to build an EV- or how not to!
  • DIY: Adjustable solar
  • The Pears Report
  • Salvage it!

Issue Contents:

Finders keepers: the hows and whys of reuse

Reduce the embodied energy in your home build and help the local economy by visiting your local tip shops, writes Beth Askham.

Homemade house

Peter Ascot takes time out from building to share his art and heart of reusing second-hand materials to build his house in Bega, NSW.

Journey from schoolroom to home

Andy McLeod’s building journey highlights many of the opportunities and challenges of reuse, writes Robyn Deed.

Shipping container reuse

From pop-up shopping malls to low-cost housing, shipping containers construction offers creative and energy efficient possibilities, writes Kathryn Kernohan.

Radically sustainable homes: evaluating earthship performance

Earthships are all about energy and resource efficiency, but just how well do they stack up against other housing types? Martin Freney is working it out.

Mixing it up: upscaling waste paper

Ben Wall describes how waste paper can be transformed into a useful building material.

What a corker!

One organisation is recycling items that most people wouldn\’t think could be reused, writes Jodie Meehan.

Towards guilt-free cooling

When it comes to sustainable cooling, there are many conflicting pieces of advice. Alan Pears explores the options for increasing comfort without costing the earth.

Doing small wind right

Small wind energy systems have the potential to provide all of your energy needs- if you have a suitable site and install the right system. Katie Ross explains the truth behind small wind system design.

Selecting PV panels in a buyers market

There are many factors to consider when looking for solar panels. Stephen Ingrouille from Going Solar explains how distributors evaluate panels.

Pool pump buyers guide

Reduce your pool’s carbon footprint with our pool pump buyers guide. Lance Turner explores the options.

Inverter buyers guide: mains power anywhere

Whether you live off-grid or have a grid-interactive generation system, the right inverter can make all the difference. We check out what’s available, where to get them and which one is right for you.

How to build an EV- or how not to!

Building an EV takes some planning and requires certain safety rules be followed. Leigh Hateley of the ATA Geelong Electric Vehicle branch explains.

DIY: Adjustable solar

Fixed and roof-mounted solar arrays are not ideal for everyone. Adam Thomson describes the solution he’s evolved for his holiday home.

Pears Report

Communities and smart consumers drive change as policymakers and industry lag behind. Alan Pears explains.

Salvage it!

All avid DIYers need a good workbench, but they can be expensive to buy. Julian Edgar describes how he built a heavy-duty workbench from scrap steel and recycled timber.