![Avoiding the winter cold: Housing retrofits as a health intervention](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/AE-GladstoneSt-02-web-816x524.jpg)
Avoiding the winter cold: Housing retrofits as a health intervention
As well as reducing your energy bills and your carbon footprint, upgrading your home’s building envelope can have a positive effect on your health and wellbeing. Health researcher Dr Toby Cumming explains.
Read more![The household gas dilemma](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/seastar-web-816x524.jpg)
The household gas dilemma
As Australia’s electricity grid greens, gas is losing its position as the cleaner and cheaper fuel choice for households. In fact, by installing gas appliances, many people are locking themselves into higher bills and emissions compared to choosing an all-electric home, as Renew’s ongoing research shows.
Read more![Are we aiming for the stars?](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/canberra-web-816x524.jpg)
Are we aiming for the stars?
Two decades after the introduction of the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, an analysis looks at how we’re building, the Star ratings we’re achieving and what needs to change to deliver climate resilient homes.
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Subscribe to Sanctuary magazine
Modern green homes in Australia's premier publication dedicated to sustainable home design.
Subscribe![Airtight design](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web-Jennys-house-816x524.jpg)
Airtight design
If you’re planning to build an airtight home, it’s important that you also consider indoor air quality. We ask building scientist Jenny Edwards to tease out the issues around mechanical ventilation with heat recovery – including when it’s needed and when it’s not.
Read more![Light saviours: ways to upswitch your lighting](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Light-Saviours-1224w-816x524.jpg)
Light saviours: ways to upswitch your lighting
With so many lighting products to choose from, why are most homes – even sustainable ones – still so poorly lit? We ask three lighting luminaries for their advice on how to avoid the 'she'll be right' status quo.
Read more![Energy upgrade: From 1 to 7 Star](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/1-to-7-Star2-816x524.jpg)
Energy upgrade: From 1 to 7 Star
Danielle King and her partner were keen to find a way to measure the impact of their renovation, and she explains what they did to improve their 1 Star home into one with a 7 Star energy rating.
Read more![Solar sizing latest: ‘Go big’ with your PV system](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/John-Robson-solar-array-816x524.jpg)
Solar sizing latest: ‘Go big’ with your PV system
Wondering what size solar photovoltaic system to install? The latest ATA modelling shows that bigger is better, even if you don’t use much electricity.
Read more![Case study: Energy renovation](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Energy-retrofit-by-Carlos-Gali-Photography-816x524.jpg)
Case study: Energy renovation
Retrofitting a 0.8 Star brick veneer unit to achieve an 8.4 Star rating proved to be a savvy investment in energy efficiency and better health.
Read more![When do investments in energy efficiency pay off?](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web-1-11-816x524.jpg)
When do investments in energy efficiency pay off?
Energy efficiency can improve health and comfort and can be good for the hip pocket too. But at what point do retrofits start to pay off? We ask energy efficient housing experts Trivess Moore and David Whaley to find out.
Read more![Gas versus electric for heating, cooking and hot water](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/fig-1-web-816x524.jpg)
Gas versus electric for heating, cooking and hot water
Should you select gas or electric to fuel your new cooktop, heating or hot water system? Renew energy analysts Keiran Price and Dean Lombard present the latest economic and environmental findings to help guide your decisions.
Read more![Open source home automation](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/14GlydeSt_HighRes_4K_2-feature-816x524.jpg)
Open source home automation
Designer Paul Hendy explains how he used the open standard KNX software to augment his passive solar home for ultimate comfort.
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