Smart planning your garden
With smart palnning your garden can help control the temperature of your home.
Plants and trees moderate temperature, keeping your hosue cool in summer, and sheltering it from the cold in winter. By choosing deciduous trees that shed leaves in autumn, you can still let in the warmth of the winter sun.
Minimise lawn area, consider ground covers and don’t overdo paving – it retains unwanted heat in summer.
Choose plants that are waterwise and drought-resistant (ask your local nursery). Use reticulation such as drippers and consider using grey water.
Smart planning your home
Save money and improve family comfort by following these simple design principles inside your home.
Tip
- For the health and wellbeing of your family, use low toxic paints, carpets, upholstery and building materials wherever possible.
Living Room tips
- Fit curtains and blinds to keep out summer heat and insulate in winter.
- Install ceiling fans for a cooling effect.
- Design to enable the cooling effects of cross ventilations.
- Use ‘thermal mass’ flooring such as stone, tiles or concrete to absorb winter heat.
Bedroom tips
- Curtains and blinds are good to allow breezes into the room during summer but can also insulate in winter.
- Install ceiling and wall insulation to reduce heat loss or gain.
- Seal gaps on doors with weather strips.
Bathroom tips
- Design for natural light and ventilation.
- Install high star rating appliances and fittings.
- Install a solar hot water system – preferably gas boosted.
Kitchen tips
- Choose appliances and taps with highest energy and water efficiency ratings.
- Use tap aerators.
- Design for natural light and ventilation.
The Bigger Picture
With smart planning of your house you can save money and improve the health and comfort of your family. Making the right decisions today will mean that you reduce the negative impact of your home on the world around you now and for future generations.
Acknowledgements: LandCorp