Housing - What's this all about?
Every time you turn on a tap, a light switch or even feel the comfort temperature of your home needs adjustment, have you ever thought how your choice is going to affect thousands of other people?
Today many new homes are planned to cater for the changes climate change is dictating. Unfortunately some of the changes are extremely expensive and beyond the means of the average home buyer but small changes can be made that will help. Read through these pages and see what can benefit you and your needs now and in the future. Remember you have to spend money to make money so a dollar spent today will save many dollars in years to come.
The following points should be considered when planning your home:
- How can the sun warm my home in winter and yet help it stay cool in summer?
- How can I use nature to save on using electricity or gas in my home needs like hot water, heating etc?
- What's the advantage of using pavers against concrete for paths around the home?
- Do curved paths limit the reflection of heat when compared to straight paths around the home?
- Does a dark coloured roof absorb more heat into the roof space compared to a lighter colour?
- Do certain plants assist in cooling the house in the hot parts of the day?
- Will grey water be okay for my toilet, garden and basic household needs other than drinking?
- Have I space to instal a large rain water tank and have it plumbed to the house?
- How much insulation is really enough in the walls and ceilings?
- Is double glazing a posibility or can I increase my eaves to stop direct sunlight in summer shining directly on my window panes?
- Am I able to take advantages of gully or sea breezes in cooling my home in summer?
- What type of fences and trees am I going to have? Will they allow air to circulate at reduced speeds or cause total wind breaks?
- Am I going to use energy sources that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere or am I able to use green fuels instead?
These and many more questions can be asked and answered. Your answers will be determined by what you can afford, but some of the choices you make are relatively cheap especially when you are concerned about the externals of your home like the roof colour and landscaping. Give Australia's future a go and see how you can help save a few dollars in the long run by sound decisions now rather than later. Good Luck!
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