What does it mean to build a house that is environmentally friendly?
There seems to be so much material out there telling us to be more environmentally responsible when building new homes. Pressure to reduce carbon footprint, use solar passive design, capture rainwater, re-use greywater, install water efficient taps and showerheads, install grid-connected solar panel systems, build with environmentally friendly materials, reduce power consumption….
How does the average punter navigate his/her way through all of this material? How can someone with the average-sized suburban block do their bit? What expectations should people have of themselves if they have a rural block of land? How do we strike a balance between preserving natural vegetation and reducing the threat of bushfire from existing trees? Is it cost-effective to build with all this in mind? Are materials suppliers and builders becoming more attuned to these issues without ripping of the consumer?
I don't believe that the answers to these questions will be easy to find, or even equally relevant to all people. I hope that you can join me on a long-term project to see if the above goals can be achieved by the average family.
Hope to see you along the way, and love to hear about your own experiences.