Make your home eco-friendly

There are lots of ways to reduce the environmental impact of your home. Here are some tips to green up your house from the inside out:

Keep your home cool, naturally

  • Shade your home with trees, shade cloth or screens
  • Paint your roof a light, reflective colour
  • Install extra insulation in your roof and walls when building or renovating
  • Increase air flow by opening windows and doors (aim for three openings to every room)

Put your household on an energy diet

  • Turn down the thermostat on your hot water heater
  • Make sure your energy is supplied on the cheapest tariff possible
  • Purchase green power
  • Install solar panels or a solar hot water system
  • Use fans rather than air conditioners
  • Use low-energy fluorescent lights instead of incandescent
  • Line dry clothes
  • Turn off stand-by power
  • Purchase energy efficient appliances
  • Set your air conditioner at 25°C, your fridge at 3°C, and your freezer at -15°C
  • Install skylights for natural lighting

Cut down water waste to save energy

  • Install low-flow showerheads
  • Cover your pool to reduce evaporation
  • Reduce lawn areas
  • Plant drought tolerant native plants
  • Recycle grey water for use in garden beds

Reduce, reuse, recycle

  • Compost to convert food scraps into plant fertiliser
  • Reduce packaging by buying in bulk
  • Use green bags for your shopping
  • Donate goods rather than send them to the tip
  • Consider the environment before buying luxury items
  • Source sustainable products when building or renovating

Protect animal habitat

  • Plant native plants around your home (some types attract animals)
  • Keep chemicals out of drains and out of our waterways (use eco-friendly cleaning products)
  • Clean up rubbish around your home and your community

For more tips on greening up your home, contact NQ Dry Tropics 4724 3544. Townsville City Council also has some great resources for sustainable design if you are building or renovating a house. Call them on 4727 9495 and ask for their Sustainable Housing Information Kit which has tips on housing orientation, shading, landscaping and building materials.