Sustainable Homes

Electrify 3442 is running a Community Survey and we’re on the lookout for households at various stages of electrification ) and happy to share their stories on our website. Read our news >>

We’ve been hearing a lot lately about getting off gas. It’s expensive, it’s an indoor pollutant and as electricity from the grid gets cleaner (in terms of its carbon emissions, thanks to reduced production from coal and increased production from renewables like solar) gas isn’t the dream fuel it used to be.

Here are some resources to help you find out more about why and how to get off gas, and news of some events coming up later this month to help you work out a detailed plan of action.

List of resources to use with the ‘Sustainable House’ kits available for loan from Goldfields Libraries.

This March MRSG Sustainable Homes Action Group is presenting the “Project Showcase”, an exhibition of projects Macedon Ranges householders have undertaken to make their homes more thermally comfortable, cheaper to run and more energy-efficient, and of work-from-home spaces that are reducing the need to commute.

(Image: Sam Clarke via Unsplash)

The Power Saving Bonus is back, bigger than before! This year’s offer is a $250 payment for comparing energy offers using Victorian Energy Compare.

You don’t need to change plans to be eligible, just to compare plans - it only takes 5-10 minutes, and you may find a cheaper plan, to boot!

(Image: Andre Taissin via Unsplash)

Calling all members keen to chat with others about building and renovating experiences in the Macedon Ranges. and interested in creating a forum for exchange!

(Image: Redd via Unsplash)

The 6th edition of home sustainability guide “Your Home” has recently been released. In addition to the softcover book and website familiar to its current fan-base, a limited edition hardback version of the book has been published.

Hot on the heels of the Neighbourhood House’s solar installation, we’re set to resume work on draughtproofing and secondary glazing works planned earlier this year.

What’s happening with Terracycle?

LOTS!

Still confused about our kerbside recycling?

Curious about what the deal is with soft plastic recycling? Waste Management Review has a comprehensive explanation.

What a day we had!

The numbers are in and totalled, and we can report that our five member homes totalled 476 visits for Sustainable House Day 2019. A fantastic effort from a range of people.

The Daylesford Podcast dropped in on members Anna and Dave, who will open their home in Woodend. You can listen to the interview at www.daylesfordpodcast.com

The Daylesford Podcast shares news of something local every Friday, usually lots of fun.

No More Mailing Satchels - collection stream now closed.

My household’s electricity use in July was less than half of what it was last July. Yes, you read that correctly: in July 2019 we used only 48.7% of the electricity we used in July last year. Better still, we’re on track to repeat that result in August. Most of what we’re saving is on heating.

Sustainable House Day depends on the work of a sizeable number of volunteers, from homeowners to the people who brave the cold to “man” the farmers’ market stand in August and September. The more helpers, the more fun we all have!

We’re looking for volunteers to help publicise the event so the local “open homes” get lots of visitors, and can share local experience in making homes more comfortable, more affordable and more sustainable.

Could you help for a couple of hours?

Sustainable House Day is a big day for MRSG, especially for the Sustainable Homes Action Group. It’s a day when we share ideas and experience about how to make our homes more comfortable, more energy efficient and cheaper to run - and of course, better for the planet! Three local households have already “stepped up” and offered to open on Sunday September 15th, and we are hoping to see a couple more register soon.

We’re on the lookout for people wanting to help make SHD2019 another success for MRSG, with a variety of jobs and levels of involvement. Could you join us?

Plastic Free July is here, and so is a state-wide ban on E-Waste to landfill.

Thanks to everyone who stopped to chat with the volunteers from Sustainable Homes Action Group and Go Renewable Energy Group at the Woodend Community Farmers’ Market on Saturday 7th October.

We were exploring the level of interest in electrifying home heating and hot water and the obstacles to electrification.

Not sure what “net zero emissions” means? Want to know how you can impact climate change?

Project Drawdown has produced an excellent series of 6 videos, ranging from 10-25 minutes, explaining where we can have the most impact on climate.

This is a thought-provoking series, highly recommended for anyone starting out on the road to sustainability.

Did you know that 90% of homes in high risk areas are not resilient to bushfire, putting lives, homes and livelihoods at unacceptable risk?

Would you like to learn more about upgrading your home for bushfire resilience?

(Image: Jen Theodore via Unsplash)

Shock News: Tetra Paks no longer recyclable in Australia! What will they take from us next?

Ever wondered what your hairdresser does with all that hair on the salon floor? Read about salons making the shift to minimize their waste and save resources.