There is a wide held misconception that to build a sustainable house is difficult and costly. But it doesn’t need to be. There are some simple things you can do when planning your renovation or new home to make it more comfortable, accessible, safe and secure as well as economically and environmentally efficient.
It can be affordable now while saving you money in the long-term. A sustainable home is more responsive to the Brisbane climate – warmer in winter and cooler in summer, aims to meet people’s needs now and in the future, offers added security and can even lower on-going maintenance costs.
Here are some of the simple ways you can achieve a sustainable Brisbane home:
- have correct orientation – face the living areas to the north to take advantage of the winter sun, build eaves to shade out the summer sun, locate the bedrooms on the southern side to keep sleeping areas cool and locate infrequently used rooms (garage and laundry) on the western side of your home
- use cross ventilation and options such as breezeways above doors and in door panels
- position windows to capture prevailing breezes
- have short, direct paths between windows
- utilise windows with large open areas such as louvers, casements, sliding or double-hung windows
- allow heat to escape from the roof in summer with roof ventilation
- build eaves on your home
- insulate the ceilings and walls
- use ceiling fans and/or a central gas heating system or reverse cycle air-conditioners instead of an electric heater or wood-burning heater
- tint windows to avoid trapping heat in the home.
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