It Is Easy Being Green ...
The Sunday Age
Sunday June 18, 2006
Sustainable living is cheap, relatively easy, and actually does make a difference. By Annie Reid.
WHEN Kermit the Frog croaked, "It's not easy being green", he lamented being the colour of leaves, as it "blends in with so many ordinary things". Little did Kermie know that a few decades later, every man and his frog would be jumping up and down to be green, and his pop-culture mantra would be used in the context of environmental sustainability.It's about time too. Australia is lagging behind Europe and the US in energy-saving initiatives, and we have a poor record on energy-efficient housing - 20 per cent of gas emissions come from the housing sector, according to the Housing Industry of Australia. The average Victorian home produces about 11 tonnes of greenhouse pollution, and the CSIRO reports that global warming will lead to higher temperatures and 8 per cent less water for Melbourne.But we are on the right track. Victoria was the first state to implement the 5 Star Energy standard a year ago - the rating system of environmental mandates required before building a new home. Sustainability Victoria says that within five years of introducing 5 Star, greenhouse gas pollution will be reduced by 600,000 tonnes - equivalent to removing 140,000 cars from our roads or planting 2 million trees.For those living in a 5 Star house, you will use about 25 per cent less water, your house will cost half as much to heat and cool, you will save about $200 a year on electricity and gas costs, and save $50 a year on water bills.A recent survey by Sustainability Victoria of 150 respondents found that 90 per cent of those living in a 5 Star home would recommend living in one to others. "Over 60 per cent of respondents said achieving the 5 Star rating was easy," Environment Minister John Thwaites said. But there are concerns that it is not making housing any more affordable, according to the HIA's Glenn Evans, executive director for building services. "The industry's position is not supportive of the 5 Star, and won't be until it is proven that it delivers a net benefit for new home-owners," he said.According to HIA executive director Graham Wolfe, problems arise when government, through regulations, takes away the various voluntary decisions that home-owners make - and as a result, affordability decreases."As a community we are moving along in the right direction, and there is a lot a home-buyer can do to make their contribution," he said.Whether you are high or low-end, there is sufficient demand and interest for making your home healthy, and you can benefit, regardless of your budget. WATERAbout 20 per cent of household water is used for flushing toilets and Australians spend about $300 million a year on hot water. So when then planning minister Mary Delahunty launched the 5 Star system in 2004 with a strong focus on water-saving measures, all new homes had to have a rainwater tank or a solar hot-water system. The commercial sector has joined ranks, with highly advanced water features used in Melbourne City Council's new CH2 6 Star building and the new Convention Centre development and entertainment precinct along the lower banks of the Yarra.So what are the easiest initiatives you can implement?? Water-efficient shower heads and taps are mandatory. Plumbers and bathroom and kitchen shops can help you choose the right products.? A rainwater tank for toilet flushing reduces reticulated water use by 20 per cent. Place it on the shadiest side of the house and install a larger one than you think you will need.? Solar hot water systems and rainwater tanks use simple technology and are easy to install. Don't forget to put the solar hot-water system in a northerly aspect to catch the full sun to deliver a 60 per cent solar gain. ENERGYHeating and cooling are at the forefront of energy consumption - they account for 60 per cent of your energy bill. During winter, this increases significantly. Sustainability Victoria has a number of rebates available for high-efficiency gas hot water and gas heaters, so it's worth checking out the website to see if you are eligible. Call 1300 366 195 for details. MATERIALSWhile the Home Energy Rating doesn't account for fixed appliances, smart shopping does. Smart electrical appliances can save the typical Victorian household up to $100 each year on water and electricity costs.When selecting appliances, watch for the highest star rating or TESAW award-winning models. Also make sure you choose the correct-sized appliance for your needs, as well as ensuring there are ample water, program and wash settings, as the more options available, the more energy and water saving the product is likely to be.If you take a step back again, you can also save significantly by choosing smart building materials, according to Sustainability Victoria's David Craven."Forty per cent of global waste is used by construction waste, so how do we go about minimising it?" he said. "One way is to log on to www.ecospecifier.org to the Preferred Materials List. This allows people to source their own materials on a growing range of products. A great resource for architects and designers predominantly, it is still useful to those less advanced for choosing waste-minimising products." For more information, see:www.5starhouse.vic.gov.auwww.hia.com.auwww.sunpowerdesign.com.auwww.masterbuilders.com.a
© 2006 The Sunday Age
