Sustainable Homes
The decisions we make about sustainability in the home can make a real difference to our impact on the environment. By making your home more sustainable you can save money and live in a healthier, more comfortable home for you and your family today, tomorrow and in the future.
Check out our Built for Comfort program for some great resources and to see if you are eligible for a free home design consultation.
This section provides information on:
Water is an essential part of life and maintaining a healthy environment. You can help save water by becoming more water wise and following simple Water Wise Guidelines set out by Sydney Water. Being water efficient in the home requires both smart behaviours and technologies. Some plumbing products have their water efficiency rating displayed on a label. No stars mean the product has poor water efficiency, while 6 stars shows the product is amongst the most efficient. More information Spend less on your energy bills without compromising on comfort, by making your home more energy efficient. Energy efficiency simply means using less energy to provide the same service or achieve the same result. It's about doing things smarter, or with improved technology, with no drop in service or your comfort. You use less energy as well as save money and reduce your impact on the environment. Easy tips to save power around your home Did you know that the average NSW home produces 8,000 kilograms of carbon pollution every year? There are simple steps you can take around your home to lower your power bills and reduce your impact on our environment. You can now borrow a Save Power Kit for FREE from Camden or Narellan Library. This kit can show you where you use power in your home and suggest simple ideas and actions to use less power, reduce power bills and cut carbon pollution. The Kits include a power meter, compass, thermometers, detailed instructions and other tools and information to help you save power. For more information about saving energy, visit Energy Made Easy or the NSW Government’s Energy Saver website. Reducing waste means changing the way we buy, use and then dispose of things. It means looking at the 'life cycle' of a product and questioning whether we really need it to when we think it’s time to throw it out. Recycling is about managing and saving resources, saving energy and water, reducing pollution and waste. To find out more visit Council’s Waste Services pages. A sustainable home can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save water and energy usage, and reduce waste. It provides all the benefits of a typical home but reduces the negative impact on the environment. A sustainable garden works in harmony with nature. It includes the use of native plants and trees to attract beneficial insects, native birds and animals. These gardens tend to be water-wise with careful consideration of plant selection in relation to local climate, watering needs of plants, soil type and use of mulch. Soils will tend to be healthy and nutrient rich through use of natural fertilisers such as worm castings and compost to help yield a plentiful supply of organic fruit, herbs and vegetables. Some easy ways you can make your home and garden more environmentally friendly and sustainable are available in the following factsheets:
Saving Water
Saving Energy
In the Kitchen
In the Bathroom and Laundry
In Living Areas
In Winter
In Summer
Save Power Kits
More information
Reducing Waste & Recycle
Sustainable Home and Garden