Home Improvement - Renovation Tips You Can Use to Improve Your Existing Home

Prioritising Your ChoicesThe "Your Home" projecttemperate areas. Examine these suggestions and
should be about improving the quality of life of thedecide what may be able to improve your quality of
residents and reducing the overall environmentallife and reduce your impact the on the environment.
impact. Cost is usually the main consideration whenInstall AAA rated shower heads and dual flush toilet
selecting what to include and what to leave out.cisterns that save water; Reduce water demand;
Creating the perfect sustainable home will be out ofRainwater harvesting; On-site wastewater reuse;
the range of most budgets - but what does thatWaterless toilets; Stormwater management; Outdoor
mean anyway. This sums it up: "Sustainablewater use; Fix leaking taps.Passive CoolingAir
development is development that meets the needsmovement is the most important element of passive
of the future without compromising the ability ofcooling, and this is produced by fans. They increase
future generations to meet their own needs" (WCED,cooling by increasing evaporation rates. Hot humid
1987 Brundtland Report).Planning a reno includes(tropical) climates limit the body's ability to lose heat
prioritising the things you want to achieve such asby evaporation of perspiration. Sleeping comfort is a
more space, a better kitchen or bathroom, moresignificant issue. Design eaves and shading to
sunlight, reduced energy and water consumption etc.permanently exclude solar access to rooms; Maximise
Search the internet for facts on suitable materials,shaded external areas with trees and plants - this will
types of glass, well designed lighting, and energyalso lower the ground temperature.Use low energy
saving appliances.The following importantceiling fans and natural cooling whole house fans to
considerations are helpful when decisions have to bedraw the cooler air in from outside and when there is
made on designing, buying, building or renovating ano breeze. Note that natural cooling whole house fans
home.Energy Efficient, Sustainable HomesThese arealso remove the odors and toxins from your home
rapidly increasing in value owing to their greaterand lower the need for refrigerated air conditioning.
comfort levels and lower running costs. Your homeChoose windows with maximum opening areas e.g.
will be around for at least 50 years and its resalelouvres or shutters - avoid fixed glass areas.Hot dry
value will be increasingly linked to these features.areas require the introduction of water into the
Sustainable housing include technologies that cover aatmosphere. Evaporative cooling is an effective
wide range of topics including rainwater storage, solarpassive cooling method and works best when relative
energy, composting, renewable building materials,humidity if lower (70 percent or less during hottest
efficient appliances. In Australia there are now wholeperiods) and the air has a greater capacity to take
housing developments being built as sustainableup water vapour. Design solutions include the use of
homes.Reducing Energy ConsumptionThis is an urgentpools, ponds and water features immediately outside
priority. Global warming and its effects on climatewindows or in courtyards to precool air entering the
change are already becoming apparent.These willhouse. Carefully located water features can create
invariably lead to higher prices for energy fromconvective breezes. Other cooling tips in tropical
non-renewable sources. Look for appliances with highareas can also be applied to hot dry areas.Passive
star ratings that will not only save on your pocket(Solar) HeatingIn cold climates establish where your
expenses but will help save our planet. Little thingssun moves during summer and winter and design
like monitoring your gas and electricity bills foryour windows to let the suns heat in while insulating
unexpected increases then working out how you canagainst the cold. In hot and moderate climates admit
further decrease your usage; Insulate hot waterlight but reject the heat. Open floor plans allow more
pipes; Set the thermostat at 60-65 Deg C onsun inside. The sun's heat is stored in the thermal
storage hot water systems and 50 deg C onmass of your building - concrete, masonry, stone
instantaneous systems; Turn off hot water systemsslabs - and is slowly released. Proper building
when on vacation; Put a timer on the electric boosterorientation will allow solar heat to enter the home in
of solar hot water heaters and on peak electricwinter, while allowing in as little sun as possible during
storage systems to avoid heating water when notsummer. Shading and overhangs also reduce
needed; turn appliances off at the wall (you'll beexcessive summer heat, while still permitting winter
amazed how much energy you can save - not tosun. In passive solar designs, the optimal
mention reduce the risk of fire).Water UsageWater iswindow-to-wall area ratio is 25-35 percent.I hope that
in short supply the world over. Rising demand forthis information has helped you make important
houshold water is competing with needs ofdecisions on your most important projects.Author:
agriculture and both are reducing the environmentalBrendan Hogg. Brendan is Manager of Cardiffair
flow needed to keep our rivers and waterwaysnatural cooling fans. He is Housing Industry
healthy. The application of these ways to use waterAssociation Green Smart Qualified and experienced in
in a sustainable way will depend on whether you liveair movement for comfort and a healthier indoor
in the country or the cities, in the tropics or theenvironment.