As Australian householders consider the impact of the Emissions Trading Scheme on their budgets, they will increasingly be looking at ways of reducing their energy consumption to better manage the impact.
One of the easiest ways of reducing the financial strain is to reduce energy use in the home. For some time now we have heard that we need to do it, and been presented with many ways to do it. However, talking to people who have already made the changes is often the best way to learn.
As part of the 7th Annual Sustainable House Day, homes across the country will open so others can learn and experience the benefits of all aspects of sustainable living. And what’s more, these houses appear normal on the outside…so it’s only when stepping inside that the learning begins!
Event organiser Judy Celmins said “there is nothing better than talking to people who have already done it.
You can learn the good, and the bad, from the home owner’s personal experience and talk to architects, designers and builders. And once you have experienced living in a home that is cool in summer without airconditioning, and warm in winter with little or no heating, it’s hard not to get excited.”
Judy Celmins said “there will be a variety of sustainable living tips on display at the houses open this year,
The aim is to motivate, and provide information so people can go home and start implementing some of the fundamentals straight away.”
You can find an open house in your area by logging onto www.sustainablehouseday.com from August 2008. Tickets can be purchased at any house visited for $5 per person per house, children free.
Images, kits and interviews on participating houses are available on request.