Sustainable Housing Information Kit
Introduction to Townsville's Sustainable Housing Guides
A sustainable home is more than just a catch phrase. It is a comfortable, low-impact, modern, money-saving investment in your future.
A sustainable home responds to its climate and surrounding environment. It uses water, electricity, and other resources more efficiently which results in a cheaper to run and less wasteful home.
There are many different definitions for "sustainable", which can get confusing. The term orginally applied to natural resource use with a long term focus. Today, it applies to many disciplines and aspects of life.
The guides in this kit provide ideas for improving existing homes and designing new homes to be more energy-efficient and climate responsive. Including these aspects into the home will lessen its impact on the environment and be more cost-effective in the long term.
The guides have been produced in three groups. The following is an overview of the information found in each of the guides within the kit:
Group A - Climate-Responsive Design for Townsville
The first six guides in this kit focus on key design features that are the most important aspects of an energy-efficient Townsville home. Within the first six guides, the capture of breezes and shading stand out as the two most essential design principles for Townsville.
Understand why orientation is an important design principle.
Aspects include:
- information on Townsville's location and climate including prevailing breeze direction and sun angles;
- how and why orientation is important to overall comfort; and
- examples of house designs with good orientation on sites with varying solar aspects.
Discover the importantance of air movement and breeze capture in Townsville for maintaining personal comfort.
Get advice on:
- orientation and openings to make the most of natural breezes;
- using convective cooling to remove heat; and
- the multiple benefits provided by ceiling fans.
Find out how to effectively protect your home from the scorching Townsville sun.
Learn:
- effective shading from the midday and low-angle morning and afternoon sun;
- a variety of shading methods for each side of the home; and
- other helpful shading tips.
Find out how landscaping can help to cool your home and increase your enjoyment of both indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Use basic landscaping principles to:
- contribute to shading
- promote breezes; and
- reduce the temperature in and around your home.
Choose building materials to achieve a naturally cool home and avoid living in an oven.
Your choice of materials can:
- keep out the heat during the day; and
- help your home to cool down quickly at night.
Great outdoor living spaces are fundamental for embracing Townsville's lifestyle.
Be inspired by innovative design ideas to:
- maximise the use of outdoor areas through correct location;
- integrate the indoor and outdoor enviroments; and
- convert 'transitional spaces' into breezeways.
Group B - Enhancing Sustainable Performance
The second group of guides in this kit focus on ways to enhance the sustainable performance of a home. They can be implemented in the building of a new home or used to improve an existing home.
Guide 7 - Water Heating (Coming Soon)
On average, heating water is the biggest, ongoing electricity consumer in the home.
Reduce costs by learning:
- some of the different types of hot water systems and how they work; and
- good options for different circumstances.
Guide 8 - Energy Reduction and Generation (Coming Soon)
Energy use in the home, and the issues surrounding its production, has become the focus for change around the world.
Discover:
- methods to reduce energy consumption around the home; and
- options for generationg your own electricy.
Guide 9 - Greener Gardening (Coming Soon)
Creating a sustainable garden will give you a functional, low-maintenance and productive yard.
Learn and understand:
- how to reduce your watering and maintenance needs;
- ways that your garden can contribute to cleaner creeks in the area; and
- the benefits of growing some of your own produce.
Guide 10 - Water Collection, Saving and Re-use (Coming Soon)
Water is a valuable resource that should never be taken for granted.
Find out ways to:
- use water more efficiently around the home;
- re-use water safely; and
- harvest your own water.
Group C - Other Sustainable Practices
The third group of guides in this kit will cover a variety of other energy-efficiency and sustainability issues.
For more information, please phone 4727 9000 or contact the Special Projects Unit.
The Department of Public Works - Smart Housing Website has been developed in response to the demand for housing that better meets people's needs and responds to the Queensland climate while saving money.
For regular updates, news and events please visit the Department of Public Works - Smart Housing Website.
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