Six ways to make your home environmentally friendly

Climate change is tipped to bring a raft of changes with it, but nowhere will it be more prominent than in the housing patterns of Australians. Fortunately, lenders are starting to get on board and help borrowers to be environmentally responsible. For example, Bank Australia home loans let borrowers take an ‘eco-pause’ – a three-month pause in repayments to pay for eco upgrades to their homes.

If you are environmentally conscious, then why not start making a few changes in your own backyard. Here are some great tips.

1. Install a water tank

A rainwater tank has multiple benefits. It can help you reduce your water consumption, save you money on your water bills and can help you to irrigate the garden, especially during a dry period. State water services have information about where to buy and install the tanks.  

1. Install insulation

If you want to keep your home cool on hot summer days and warm on frosty winter days, insulation could be the answer. In winter, up to 35 per cent of heat is lost through the ceilings and up to 20 per cent through the floors, according to Sustainability Victoria. In summer, the pattern is reversed and those same proportions seep in through the ceiling and floor. More information about insulation can be found here.

1. Go energy efficient

Household appliances are well known for zapping up energy even when they’re not in use. Fridges and dishwashers are top offenders. Look for a high energy efficiency rating when you’re shopping for whitegoods and don’t forget to target energy efficient light bulbs and adapters too.

1. Add skylights

While you’re looking at light bulbs, why not consider some natural ways to improve the lighting around your home to reduce your use of lights and lamps during the day. A skylight offers great natural light and warmth to the areas of the home it hits. Before you install a skylight though, it’s worth getting some advice from a designer about where to situate it to maximise the benefits.

1. Invest in solar panels

Solar panels no longer attract the generous government rebates they once did, but if used right, they still have the potential to reduce your power bills, while helping the planet. Win-win. Websites like SolarChoice can help you to compare the options.

1. Plant a vegetable garden and begin composting

Setting up a veggie patch requires a bit of time and patience, but once it takes off, you’ll save on grocery bills as well as reducing CO2 emissions. Once you start consuming your fresh food, you can use the waste for composting to improve your soil. Compost soil also requires less water.

This article is sponsored by Bank Australia.

Bank Australia is among the lenders leading the charge on the environment. It has a 954-hectare conservation reserve, which is part-owned by each and every customer. It also invests part of its profits into the Bank Australia Impact Fund and is carbon neutral.

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