Government Cash for home design, Environment!!!

Government policy on the Environment will always be in a state of change. I believe a continuing flux of measures will be introduced and applied all the time. The change to a lower carbon economy will take many years. Home owners who have missed the last scheme will have access to the next scheme. No need to become disheartened or confused, just research the latest and apply what suits best.

The announced rise in electricity prices is a likely harbinger of future rises.The switch from a cash rebates to the sale of REC Renewable Energy Certificates has been unsuccessful. But now due to major reworking of the schemes. The newest scheme will be much better. The government has moved to secure the valuation of REC at a $40 per Kilowatt hour, and this is seen as a good price. Previously, after the failure of the World Copenhagen climate summit REC had fallen to low levels. Apparently the Renewable Energy Target scheme is to aim for 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020. This will be the equivalent of $6,200 for a  home based 1.5Kw solar panel  power system: and $1,200 for a standard home solar hot water system.
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Breakthrough ideas, Design your Energy Technology for home Windows.

I find that a very large factor for home insulation is the windows, both their size and the glass product. Windows with aluminium frames can be excellent conductors of heat and very poor insulators. A modern trend  is to improve the home window by addition of PVC cover windows. This gives one most of the benefits on double glazing but at a  fraction of the cost. In Australia, the public appear to be scared of the cost of home double glazed windows. But, if they are built in first into a new home, the extra cost can be marginal, it is after all, mainly labour. In Europe, one might consider it perfectly reasonable to have triple glazed windows!!!! Triple glazing is the case in Norway and Canada.
Another less expensive option is the Ceramic window insert : Such as the Huper Optik (see huperoptik.com)

This home window insert can deflect up to 70% of heat ingress, while still maintaining the valuable sunlight through. The film product has embeded in it, titanium nitride beads that block the UV light, while letting visible light through.

Another interesting development is the potential for home windows to also be solar panels. This is where a largely transparent window can be electronically frosted, using photo-voltaic embeded glass. Currently, this is being tested in commercial buildings and could be availabe for the  home by 2011 (see solar.tm).
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Where is the Home Property Market going right now?

Well talk about confusion!
Never seen so much smoke and mirrors:plenty of countervailing currents here. Many reports say a home in Sydney and Melbourne are amongst the worlds most unaffordable compared to income. Interest rates are on the rise. More land is released on the fringes of Melbourne. Some of the First Home grant incentives are being wound back.
Mark Armstong, CEO of Property Planning Instiute says, The use of Median figures, as indicators of affordability greatly over simplifies the property market. A Sydney home, appparently ranks second most unaffordable compared to incomes right behind Vancouver.
AMP’s Economist, Oliver says continued “under building” of around 45,000 to 50,000 homes a year. ANZ Bank is also very optimistic, for the home market. What can it all mean?

Lets keep it simple. I argue, if Australia is raising interest rates this will be only be after careful consideration of the world economic data. We simply cannot afford a slowdown or recession in an election year. In the USA, current data and reports suggest interest rates will remain low for the foreseeable short term future. Thus, I say interest rates are a likely laggard. If Australia continues to grow, as seems likely, there will be more numbers of people employed and for longer hours, thus leading to higher family incomes. Latest figures show some extra 160,000 employed in the last 6 months. I prefer to see the home market as “prices up side risk”.
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Real Life, home Water Saving Environment ideas!!!

Given I have been tackled about the home Environment, What have I actually done for water saving? Well thrash me with a damp lettuce leaf !!!
I note below, a short list of things I have done.
1   Always chosen highly rated WELLS water appliances.
2   Installed  Front loading washer, which saves 60% of the water compared to a top loader.
3   Built grey water recycling systems.
4   Installed highly rated, modern dual flush cisterns. These use 3.5 litres a  flush, saving a home some 35,000 litres a year.

5   Built Rainwater tanks for the garden. Connected the home tanks to the internal cisterns.
6   Removed garden sprinklers and replaced with a drip irrigation system.
7   Replaced taps and shower heads with aerated low flow models.
8   For the garden beds, I have spread tonnes of red gum mulch.
9   Removed delicate plants like Daphne, Chrysanthenum, Azaleas, replaced them with hardy native plants.
10  Established low growing Herbal and couch lawns.
11  Check all my water using appliances with water efficiency websites. Like www.smartwater.com.au
12  Planted deep watering Agricultural  pipes, for new bushes.
13   Built gravel bed gardens.
14  When planting new bushes I place a large rock, adjacent as a rock mulch.
15  Built mulch covering for  water saving garden beds.
Thus I have made a start to reducing and monitoring water use.
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Actual Environmental Energy Home ideas !!!

I have just been challenged, as what have I really done in the renovation area, that is an environmental improvement???                                   Hey, Hold my feet to the flames  !!!
Below I offer a laundry list approach for energy saving ideas.
1    Built Thermal mass into the home, via an internal brick wall.
2   Installed eleven, “Cover Windows” the poor man’s Double Glazing for $3,500 at one fifth the cost of double glazing.
3   Built a terracotta tile roof, instead of corrugated iron. Install ceiling insulation “Batts”.
4   Installed 48 new low energy Fluorescent light bulbs. Remove incandescant light bulbs.

5    Installed internal shaded plastic coating on windows.
6    Moved the living area into the Kitchen, thus am zoning living.
7    Have a Solar Hot water service.
8    Built outside retractable blinds to keep the heat off the windows.
9    Have the home set up for zones of living to retain the heat in winter.
10  Employed the Home  Environmental Assessor, paid by the guvernment!
11   Installed efficent gas driven, hot water pipe and heat bank system.
12   Removed large trees blocking the warm Northern winter sunlight.
13   Removed the Tumble dryer and replaced it with Clothes horses.
14   Built laminated glass front door to let in the light.
15   Put in as many as seven opening Skylights into the home.
16   Bought Flywire screens on all the windows, so one can let the breeze in.
17  Built several security screen front doors, for the breeze, again.
18  Removed electric heaters and replaced with gas heating.
19  Replaced door and window flush  seals.
20  Install roof wind driven heater extractor fan.
21  Install an energy smart power board. Google has such a product. Bunnings, Home Depot, Lowes, Masters, sell an inexpensive one.
I don’t intend to argue the point, but  I have done plenty, as I am critically aware of the rise and future rise in gas and electricity costs.
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