Released this week, the federal government's National Climate Risk Assessment (NCRA) paints a sombre picture of the potential impacts of ignoring climate change – from increasing heatwaves and rainfall through to risks to food production and our health generally.
What can we do in our homes to help ‘turn the tide’, while also mitigating the impact on our daily life?
Possibly the most obvious step is to install solar panels, ideally with a battery system. Not only will it save money over time, but it means we are not reliant on external sources for power. On a global level, we are no longer supporting fossil fuel extraction and processing.
Switch out the gas cooktop in favour of induction cooking to optimise on that solar system. Cooking with gas is also estimated* to be responsible for up to 12% of the burden of childhood asthma in Australia. Replacing gas appliances might be more costly upfront, but investing in all-electric appliances will save money long term.
Insulate walls, roofing and suspended floors when renovating or building new. Insulation helps to stop the transfer or heat both in and out of the home. This can make heaters/air conditioners run more efficiently, or in some cases, not need to be turned on at all.
Install light-coloured metal roof sheeting to reflect the heat of the sun and safeguard the house from intense heat. Metal roof sheeting offers greater protection from fire than tiled roofs as it is firmly secured and sealed at junctions.
Prioritise native plants in the garden. Over a third (40%) of the average household’s total water consumption is used for outside purposes, the majority of that for gardens and lawns. By choosing plants that are indigenous to your area, you not only create a resilient garden, but you’re also providing native habitats and increasing biodiversity.
Install ceiling fans with a multi-directional flow. Ceiling fans are an inexpensive way to facilitate better ventilation in the home and reduce reliance on air conditioning. In winter, the fan will push heat back down towards the occupied part of the room and in summer, it will let the heat rise.
Seal draughts, including weather strips to doors and windows, dampers to vents and sealing gaps/cracks. Uncontrolled air movement through a home is estimated to cause 25% of winter heat loss, leading to more energy consumption and higher bills. Draught proofing will improve your home’s energy efficiency, comfort and acoustics.
*Australian Housing Outlook ‘The Green Edition’, BIS Oxford Economics and QBE, 2022