Sustainable design

Good design of a new building is integral to its energy efficiency and will make it easier to achieve higher BASIX ratings. Even here on the Tablelands, very little energy may be needed to heat or cool a well-designed home – a home that has appropriate insulation, draught-proofing and passive solar design.

For existing houses, high efficiency heaters, draught-sealing, insulating blinds or curtains with pelmets, energy efficient hot water and lighting, and effective shading can assist with reducing energy bills.   

However, even if your house design or renovation is efficient, behavior is still critical to how much energy a household uses. For instance, closing off unused parts of the house, opening blinds to let in winter sun and drawing them at night, dressing appropriately, letting your hair and clothes air dry instead of running a machine, not leaving heating on overnight, and maintaining systems will all reduce energy use.

A spot to safely and conveniently store bikes can encourage their easy use. One-quarter of all car journeys are less than three kilometres, yet most of us still use a car to travel that distance. To ride a bike the same distance uses less than one-fiftieth of the energy and has positive effects on our health and wellbeing.

When selecting appliances, use the Energy Rating label to compare energy consumption of similar products.

You can generate free, clean electricity at home by installing a solar (photovoltaic or PV), wind or small hydro (water) renewable energy generation system. Your choice of sustainable power can make a big difference to your energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.

Use a local, accredited installer who can advise you on the best system for your home and household needs.

Feed-in tariffs for renewable energy pay for excess electricity generated by small-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) or wind power systems. The amount paid varies between different retailers and can be compared using the Energy Made Easy website.

Solar power

Energy from the sun can be captured in two ways: as heat energy (thermal energy – for instance, hot water heaters) or as light energy. Photovoltaic (PV) technology, also known as solar panels, converts the sun's light energy into an electrical current.

Solar power systems have become very popular with Australian home owners, with more than 1.88 million roof top systems installed across Australia (as at 31 May 2018).

While the upfront cost of a solar power system must be met, once installed they require little maintenance, can be expected to last at least 20 years, and the electricity they generate is free. The cost of solar panels and storage batteries has been coming down and systems are becoming more affordable for many households. In addition, Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), are available to eligible households and small businesses when you buy approved solar hot water, solar/wind power systems or solar panels. You can receive cash back on your purchases by selling the certificates or use them as a point of sale discount. STCs are calculated based on the amount of electricity a system produces or replaces (that is, electricity from non-renewable sources).

New developments in lithium-ion battery systems for the home will enable households to get more out their solar power system. Being able to store excess energy you don’t use during the day and access this at night means being less reliant on buying electricity from the grid.

The process of converting sunlight into electricity using PV systems produces no greenhouse gas emissions. Any excess electricity above your needs can be fed back into the mains power grid or into a battery storage system.

To check if your proposed solar system needs planning approval, check with Armidale Regional Council.

Wind turbines

Wind turbines use the power of the wind to turn a propeller which drives a generator to produce electricity. Australia has an abundant wind resource, which, like solar, can be used to radically decrease our greenhouse gas emissions.

To maximise their output, wind turbines are ideally located on tall towers, away from trees and buildings, and at the top of a gentle rise (and so are more common in rural areas). They don’t like turbulence and so should be installed away from the house to capture stable winds and minimise any noise disturbance. Wind turbines are usually part of a stand-alone system where they can be used to charge batteries, or coupled with solar power. Sometimes it is recommended that a generator be added for rare instances of no wind or sun. Depending on your location, some systems may also have the ability to connect to the mains power grid to feed in excess electricity. However, it is important to research wind energy systems and undertake some wind speed monitoring prior to committing to wind turbines. Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) are available when you buy qualifying wind or solar/wind power systems. You can receive cash back on your purchases by selling the STCs or use them as a point of sale discount.

Site assessment, determining appropriate tower heights, and choosing a system size, design and manufacturer are best done by an experienced contractor.

To check if your planned small-scale wind turbine is exempt from planning approval, contact Armidale Regional Council.

Careful selection of your building materials may minimise environmental impacts by encouraging the use of materials with a favourable lifecycle assessment. Consider, for example:

• the embodied energy of materials (the energy used to process raw materials, manufacture and transport materials, but not their disposal at end-of-life)
• use of materials with recycled content, and
• future recyclability of materials.

Water-efficient toilets and wastewater recycling systems have a lower environmental impact than conventional toilets, and well-designed toilets that don't use water for flushing can be even better. With no smell, conservation of precious water resources and reduction in effluent, they can also save money on your water bill. Your Home provide more comprehensive information.

Some toilets may require planning permission, so check with Council when considering water-efficient or water-less toilets.

Minimise water use

When fitting out your house, reduce water use by choosing water efficient showers, toilets, taps and appliances. Look for Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) labels on showers, dishwashers, washing machines, toilets and urinals, and taps.

When designing your garden, choose local native plants and plan low water use areas. Minimise paving or concrete which increases heat radiation and water runoff. Avoid the use of mains water for landscape irrigation and re-use water (eg. greywater).

Water tanks

Thinking about installing a rainwater tank?

Water is our most precious natural resource and it's something that can’t be taken for granted. We are increasingly becoming aware of the importance of water to our survival and its limited supply, especially in such a dry continent as Australia.  

Where a reticulated service is available, rainwater can be reused for non-drinking uses, such as toilet flushing, washing clothes and outdoors uses include garden watering, car washing, filling swimming pools, spas and ornamental ponds. Use of rainwater conserves the public water supply and helps to reduce stormwater impacts. In urban areas NSW Health recommends that people use the public water supply for drinking and cooking because it is generally filtered, disinfected and fluoridated.

Rainwater tanks reduce the physical impact of stormwater on drainage infrastructure, roads, urban streams and mitigate flooding. They also contribute to reducing contaminants in our waterways.  Retention of rainwater allows for its reuse for outdoor use such as gardening and washing cars.

For information about rural drinking water and rainwater tanks visit the New South Wales Health website.

Rain water tank installation is subject to Council policies for domestic rain water tanks. 

The landscaping around your home can make a vital difference to its ambience, comfort and sustainability. It can affect air quality and temperature, support biodiversity, reduce the release of storm water into the street, provide food and improve your wellbeing. Landscape and garden design should be considered an integral part of your home design.

Try to ensure there is a space for a compost bin. Composting food scraps can reduce climate impact while also recycling nutrients.