Published Tuesday, 20 November, 2007 at 10:15 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
New Home Guide makes sustainable building easy
New home buyers will be able to make more informed choices to reduce their impact on the environment and save money with the launch today of a new home buyer’s guide.
Launched by the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, ‘Your Home Buyer’s Guide’ offers practical ideas for climate smart living, and shows how easily sustainable design features can be to incorporated into new homes.
“The houses we build today are the homes we will live in for the next 60 years,” Mr McNamara said.
“With around 40,000 new homes being built in Queensland every year, it makes good sense to build them more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.
“Housing is a central element in the climate change picture, and incorporating sustainable features into house design is a smart and affordable option.
“Homes with features such as shading, ventilation, insulation, water and energy efficient fittings and appliances are not only more comfortable to live in but cost less to run with cheaper water and energy bills.
“Sustainable design can reduce the need for energy-hungry inclusions like air-conditioning and electric hotwater systems, and the less energy used the lesser the amount of greenhouse gases generated in its production.”
Developed by Clarendon Residential Group in partnership with the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, and other state and federal environment bodies, the guide aims to help consumers plan for a more comfortable and efficient home, incorporating passive design features and environmentally friendly products and materials.
Clarendon Group Executive, Robert Lynch, said the guide was a useful tool for home buyers to navigate the complex path of land and home buying, including land selection, house design, colour selection and sustainable materials and inclusions.
“Our clients want to be better educated about the impacts their choices make on the sustainability of their homes and we are committed to providing quality information and educated sales people who can assist buyers in their choices,” Mr Lynch said.
“Customers need to demand sustainability from their homes and consider how spending a little more upfront on features such as eaves, fans, louvre windows, or better insulation will save them money in the long run and will make their home more comfortable, especially as climate change progresses.”
By raising awareness of environmentally friendly fixtures, fittings and materials, the guide also aims to encourage suppliers to provide more environmentally friendly products to meet consumer needs.
“We recognise that building a new home is a complex process and this guide helps make that process easier,” Mr Lynch said.
The guide is available online at epa.qld.gov.au, www.yourhome.gov.au and clarendon.com.au, or through any Clarendon office.
Media contacts: EPA: Peter McCarthy (07) 3336 8004
Launched by the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, ‘Your Home Buyer’s Guide’ offers practical ideas for climate smart living, and shows how easily sustainable design features can be to incorporated into new homes.
“The houses we build today are the homes we will live in for the next 60 years,” Mr McNamara said.
“With around 40,000 new homes being built in Queensland every year, it makes good sense to build them more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.
“Housing is a central element in the climate change picture, and incorporating sustainable features into house design is a smart and affordable option.
“Homes with features such as shading, ventilation, insulation, water and energy efficient fittings and appliances are not only more comfortable to live in but cost less to run with cheaper water and energy bills.
“Sustainable design can reduce the need for energy-hungry inclusions like air-conditioning and electric hotwater systems, and the less energy used the lesser the amount of greenhouse gases generated in its production.”
Developed by Clarendon Residential Group in partnership with the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, and other state and federal environment bodies, the guide aims to help consumers plan for a more comfortable and efficient home, incorporating passive design features and environmentally friendly products and materials.
Clarendon Group Executive, Robert Lynch, said the guide was a useful tool for home buyers to navigate the complex path of land and home buying, including land selection, house design, colour selection and sustainable materials and inclusions.
“Our clients want to be better educated about the impacts their choices make on the sustainability of their homes and we are committed to providing quality information and educated sales people who can assist buyers in their choices,” Mr Lynch said.
“Customers need to demand sustainability from their homes and consider how spending a little more upfront on features such as eaves, fans, louvre windows, or better insulation will save them money in the long run and will make their home more comfortable, especially as climate change progresses.”
By raising awareness of environmentally friendly fixtures, fittings and materials, the guide also aims to encourage suppliers to provide more environmentally friendly products to meet consumer needs.
“We recognise that building a new home is a complex process and this guide helps make that process easier,” Mr Lynch said.
The guide is available online at epa.qld.gov.au, www.yourhome.gov.au and clarendon.com.au, or through any Clarendon office.
Media contacts: EPA: Peter McCarthy (07) 3336 8004