Efficient homes
Two decades of monitoring
Detailed data collection can make for some interesting discoveries about how water and energy systems behave. Peter Coombes describes the results of almost 20 years of monitoring his house.
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Water saving
Stormwater reuse for parks and whole cities
If we change our approach, stormwater can provide water for irrigation, and even drinking. Jodie Lea Martire explores projects around Australia, including some in your own backyard.
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Water saving
Why I built a wetland not a dam
How high up on our priority list should biodiversity be? For Mara Ripani, her family and fellow wetland-lovers, it’s crucial—and there are practical benefits too. Mara explains.
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Buyers guides
Rainwater tank buyers guide
All the info you need on rainwater tank materials, siting, sizing, filters and pumps to make sure your rainwater is clean and useful.
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farming
The farmer next door
On a standard surburban block in Melbourne, Simeon Hanscamp is growing enough food to provide his local community with vegie boxes—and himself with an income. Anna Cumming visited him to find out what it takes to be a successful backyard farmer.
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Efficient homes
Living building challenge – Enhancing the local environment
Central to the Living Building Challenge is design that takes account of much more than thermal performance, such as giving back to the local economy. Sasha Shtargot looks at one of the first projects taking this on in Australia.
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Efficient homes
Meeting the water petal at The Paddock
For The Paddock, one petal of the Living Building Challenge, the water petal, has been an incredible challenge.
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Buyers guides
Hot water savings: Efficient hot water buyers guide
If your old hot water system has seen better days, maybe it’s time for an efficient replacement. We show you how solar and heat pump hot water systems work, what’s available and how to choose one to best suit your needs.
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Efficient homes
Sub-tropical build: bringing nature back
Richard Proudfoot and his partner have brought nature in to their suburban block, at the same time as reducing energy and water use. He describes their house and garden build, and the satisfying birdsong-filled results.
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DIY
Straight up: Vertical garden lessons
The last thing you want is to spend a lot of money on a vertical garden system and then have it fail. Jenny and Bevan Bates provide advice and inspiration from their own living walls—five years old and growing strong!
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Water saving
Put your stormwater to use
Even dense inner-city housing can easily hold back most of its stormwater runoff—saving water, cooling cities, reducing flooding problems and protecting rivers. Chris Walsh’s inner-Melbourne house shows how.
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