Building
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Benalla Sustainable Future Group believes that sustainable housing design and building practice can play a very large part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and have less impact on the environment. Sustainable houses have greater energy efficiency and are more comfortable to live in because they have more stable internal temperatures thus requiring less heating and cooling resulting in lower energy usage. Lower energy usage means reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and lower energy bills. The same comments can be made about upgrading existing houses to make them more energy efficient.
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Issues and ActivitiesThe Sustainable Building Action Group considers issues relating to sustainable housing design and rating systems, retrofitting for energy efficiency, PV panels, solar hot water, and home energy issues.The group has developed a guide for planning sustainable housing and has joined with Benalla Rural City to conduct Sustainable Housing Forums in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Download our Guide to Planning Sustainable Housing. Sustainable Housing Forums2016 - Building a Better Benalla - New BuildingOn July 9 an interested group gathered at the Mokoan Hub at Winton Wetlands, to learn more about the long term benefits and savings that come from sustainable building. Ken Sibley Building Designer, NRG Systems spoke on ‘Sustainable, energy-efficient housing design and smart renovations’ followed by Lachlan Gales from Ovens and King Builders on ‘Practicalities of building and renovating for sustainable housing’. Download Ken Sibley's presentation
2016 - Retrofitting
On Saturday August 13th, 50 people attended the second of BSFG's two Sustainable Building forums for 2016 focussing on retrofitting existing homes. Ecomaster's Lynne Beinart again proved thought provoking and practical in considering retrofitting strategies from a whole home perspective. Topics covered: How to have a comfortable home all year round; The key principles behind why your home is too cold / too hot and has huge energy bills; Zero cost actions that will reduce your energy bill and increase your comfort; Underfloor insulation; How to get a professional job done for 1/3 of the price; Everything you need to know about retrofit wall insulation and how to get a great result!; Heating systems - the good, the bad, the ugly.
2015 - Sustainable Housing Forum |
LinksVictoria's New Residential Efficiency ScorecardIndigo Shire's Better Build Toolkit
Green Home Guide - Victoria (Australian Conservation Foundation)Your Home, Australia's guide to environmentally sustainable homes (Australian Government)Energy FreedomBeyond Zero Emissions' website assists Australians to transform their homes into renewable energy powerhouses. Includes 9 steps to energy freedom & success stories of retrofitting in practice.
ReNew Magazine.Technology for a sustainable future. ReNew a DIY sustainability magazine.
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Lynn Beinat from Eco Master speaking on 'Retrofitting for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort at the Sustainable Housing Forum held on Saturday 15 August 2015, also at BPACC. Other speakers - Richard Morton from SunReal Renewable Energy systems on 'Solar Power and Battery Systems' and Callum Morrison, Environmental Health Coordinator, Benalla Rural City on 'Water Conservation'.
2014 - Sustainable Housing Forum |
BSFG President John Lloyd introduces Callum Morrison Benalla Rural City Environmental Health Officer at the Sustainable Housing Forum held at BPACC on Saturday 25 October 2014. The forum was well attended and looked at Sustainable New Homes, Smart Renovations and Energy Saving Upgrades. Granite Gardens' at Killawarra near Wangaratta featured during the day.
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