The ninth annual Sustainable House Day on Sunday 12 September will showcase Australia’s most environmentally sustainable homes to the public as millions of Australians continue to embrace renewable energy, recycling and other practices designed to lessen our impact on the environment.
And for the first time, community groups with an environmental focus will be encouraged to hold sustainable living expos and workshops that will be promoted under the Sustainable House Day umbrella.
After a record 180 homes opened in 2009, Sustainable House Day organisers are calling for even more participants to open their homes this year to help share the sustainable message and help continue make the event a success.
“More and more people are looking for a more natural lifestyle with a return to the basics. Things like growing their own vegies while we’re seeing greater investment in harvesting water and generating electricity from the sun as communities realise our resources are finite and likely to become more expensive,” event organiser Judy Celmins says.
"Sustainable House Day, a free event presented by Solar Shop Australia, provides a unique opportunity for people to meet with home owners who have ‘been there, done that’ and are able to provide unbiased advice about their own personal experience. There is nothing more valuable.”
Solar Shop Australia managing director, Adrian Ferraretto says that it is great to once again support Sustainable House Day in 2010.
“Sustainable living is at the core of what Solar Shop Australia does each and every day, making homes sustainable with the installation of solar power systems. However, we want every Australian to realise that making their home or business sustainable doesn’t have to cost you the earth and Sustainable House Day is the perfect way for all Australians to see how simple it can be,” Mr Ferraretto says.
Ms Celmins says there are things that most people can do to make homes more efficient, whether they own their home or rent.
Already a number of homeowners and builders have committed to the 2010 event with a range of purpose built sustainable display homes, and private homes featuring a variety of sustainable features and ideas. The houses will give visitors opportunities to see firsthand the benefits such as solar, ventilation, water harvesting and recycling, shading, thermal mass (materials that absorb and release heat), glazing and window treatments. Architects and builders will also be on hand at many of the homes to provide expert tips.
Each year the average Australian household contributes 13 tonnes of greenhouse gas to the atmosphere—enough to fill more than 700 balloons every day while each household also draws an average of 73,000 buckets of water a year - enough for around 12 baths a day.
For more information about Sustainable House Day visit www.sustainablehouseday.com
About Sustainable House Day
Sustainable House Day gives people the chance to get a real-life look inside houses that have been designed, built or fitted out with sustainability in mind and talk to owners, receiving unbiased advice. This year's event will be held on Sunday 12 September. To find out more visit www.sustainablehouseday.com.
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