January 24, 2022
Save Costs With Sustainable Design
Since the pandemic arrived we are all spending more money in, and on, our homes than ever before. And while working from home, staycations and online shopping can save us money, it can also cause our power bills to rocket upwards (and wipe out the savings we’ve made by staying home) if we’re not careful.
If you’re building now, choosing sustainable design is a great way to keep your living costs down. You can find out more about sustainable house designs in Queensland here. And, if you’re already in your dream home then some simple changes will help you to be both energy efficient and benefitting the environment.
The four main areas of energy usage in an average Australian home are:
Heating and cooling account for roughly 40 per cent of the average home’s energy usage, which makes it a great place to start when you’re looking into your energy efficiency. We know that Queensland gets hot and humid meaning your air conditioner will often need to be on 24/7. When you’re building from scratch you can ensure you choose an energy efficient model for aircon, whether it be ducted or split system. And after you move in, there are some additional small changes you can make to reduce costs:
Lighting accounts for another 10 per cent of the average home’s electricity usage, so give these little tips a try to save some $$$:
Household appliances account for another 30 per cent of our energy usage, and while you’re home 24/7 this figure can rise much higher. Watching your favourite shows on a large TV screen for extended periods can burn more energy than a fridge, which is a pretty big power sucker in its own right. And while no one is expecting you to do without a TV (the humanity!), there are a bunch of things you can do to save your wallet some pain:
Heating water uses around 20 per cent of an average household’s energy usage, and even more if you have a big family and enjoy long showers! Save money with these quick tips:
If you’d like to learn more about sustainable design in Queensland, Moreton Bay Regional Council has an excellent resource on their website here with heaps of great ideas for building and living in Moreton Bay.
Find North Harbour
North Harbour’s Sales and Information Centre & Display Village is open seven days a week, 10am-5pm. Located on Buckley Road in Burpengary East, the Display Village showcases beautiful display homes with sustainable design for Brisbane from some of Australia’s best home builders. To find out more about North Harbour living including our regular events, sign up for our email updates and find us on Facebook and Instagram (@northharbourliving).