RESOURCES - REFERENCES

Comprehensive Sustainable dwelling design

Your Home manual (Free - produced by the Australian Federal government a number of years ago)
Australian Energy Foundation - guides for selecting solar panels and batteries, hot water heat pumps, aircon units, sealing buildings, insulation
Mullum Creek Sustainable housing estate Donvale Building Green advice and materials guides (produced by Paul Haar Architects and the project team)
Mullum Creek Sustainable Housing estate Timber Guide
NSW Good Wood Guide - Produced by the Rainforrest Information Centre (last updated 1998)
Living Futures Institute Declare List of products (Australia)
Living Futures Institute Declare List of products (world-wide)
Living Futures Institute Red List - products to avoid

Podcasts

Life Cycle Assessments for common building materials

The EPIC database (Environmental Performance in Construction database - free opensource database developed by the University of Melbourne).

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TRENDS IN ESD

Solutions for Success

Carbon neutral homes by reducing energy consumption (maximising energy efficiency including higher energy rating which impacts heating and cooling only plus efficient appliances) and offsetting the difference with renewable power generation eg PV solar electric panels. Install an electric heat pump storage hot water unit that can utilise the electrify generated during the day to heat the water.
Also passive design is back - orientation, room positioning, shading, natural ventilation and breeze paths. All windows with an openable component and easily accessed openers. Check designs for tweaks to improve in these areas.
WSUD - driveways not falling to stormwater pits in the centre but shedding to adjoining garden beds below pavement level - to allow in ground infiltration.
Electric charging stations - a 30amp Power Point very little extra cost.
Food Organics collections coming in next 1-3 years

Resources - References: About

Solutions for Success

Resources - References: About