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Australians are a caring lot, we care about the planet and we care about each other.

We’re conscientious about recycling. We make sure to bring reusable bags when shopping.

We have herb gardens and a vegetable patch, our leftovers are deposited into our compost bin and we are diligent about our electricity and water usage.

These acts will benefit our environment, the country we love. They will benefit our wallets and future generations.

There are those of you who, like me, want to do more. Who are itching to find out what the next step is. You recognise the need to go beyond business as usual and make a real dent in the sustainability crusade.

I asked Daphna and Cameron, builders and residents of an 8 star sustainable home in Rose Bay what we can do, beyond business as usual, to make our homes more environmentally friendly, save us money and improve our health.

Cameron believes the best way to start is to understand the way your environment works.

’The natural environment always wins in the end. The focus should be on your habits and the physical environment you create for yourself. If you do that correctly, both you and the natural environment win’.

Our predecessors had the right idea when designing a home. Rooms were located off a central corridor to better control temperature. The introduction of open plan living in the 80’s meant an increase in energy use to heat and cool.

Cameron’s tips to alleviate this modern day dilemma include;

• Start with sealing your window and doorframes both internally and externally with caulking. 
• Use a door snake to keep out the draught. 
• If you have timber floors and can get under the house, install insulation to reduce heat loss.
• If possible, create ‘zones’ to easily manage the temperature of a room. If you have doors, use them, if not, create divisions using decorative screens or even bookcases.
• Install window furnishing and external awnings to trap in the heat when you need it and keep it out when you don’t.

Whilst Cameron’s focus is on building an efficient envelope, Daphna’s passion lies in the interiors paying particular attention to non-chemical cleaning products and non-toxic furnishings. She believes in a holistic approach based on responsible purchasing.

Daphna’s tips for a low chemical environment include:

• Use EO board (low volatile organic compound (VOC content) if renovating your kitchen.  VOC’s emit toxic chemicals when they reach a certain temperature. The kitchen being a hot area creates an ideal environment for this to occur. 
• When painting your home, use low VOC paint brands. If using toxic paints, you’re effectively paying someone to apply toxins in your home.. 
• Instead of new, look into reused furniture. Depending on how old a piece of furniture is it may have already completed releasing VOC’s.
• Use chemical free cleaning products available in health food stores. Brands such as Naturally Home or Abode Cleaning Products are Australian made and easily purchased online.

Daphna believes in a ‘family unit’ approach to sustainability. ‘Educate your children not to be wasteful, to think about the products they have and want. What it’s made from, where it comes from, where it’s going. I think that’s very important’.

Eminè is a Premium member of Business Chicks, request her online business card and connect with her here.

Eminè Mehmet is an Interior Designer, Writer, Speaker and Sustainability Advocate.  She is Green Star Accredited Professional, Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia and a past president of the Design Institute of Australia New South Wales Council.  Eminè has appeared on television programs including “Bright Ideas”, Channel 10 and “Home” on the Lifestyle Channel.

Image courtesy of:

www.yourfuturehome.com.au