Smart tips for designing your new home and garden

Making smart choices early on in building your new home will help you create a comfortable home and enhance it’s resale value.

Step 1: Getting the temperature right

• Use natural sources of heating and cooling, such as the sun and cooling breezes to have on energy & lighting costs
• Optimise natural light. Plan living areas on the north side of the house, utilities on the western side
• Make the best use of eaves for winter and summer sun
• Use quality insulation in roof and walls for 20-40%* energy savings
• Choose a light colour roof for a cooler home
• Encourage cross ventilation and breezes
  with multiple doors and windows

Step 2: Harvest the rain and sun

• Maximise the benefits of rainwater collection and stormwater runoff. Save up to 50% of your water bill by using recycled and tank water.
• Reduce energy costs by up to 80% with solar power.
• Talk to your builder about whether to choose an above or below ground tank.
• Use tank water for toilets and washing machines and in the garden.
• Save on energy by installing a north facing clothesline.
• Landscape to optimise stormwater runoff.
• Maximise natural light with skylights and windows.

Step 3: Reaching for the stars

Our top tips for managing your ongoing running costs and building a healthier home:

• Design a smart home that needs less heating and cooling
• For long term savings, look for a high energy rating on appliances
• Solar hot water is the most energy efficient
• Minimise use of air conditioning and cooling. Fans are the cheapest and most
  energy efficient cooling option.
• An efficient fridge is critical because it’s always running
• If using air conditioning/heating, ducted reverse cycle systems are the most energy efficient air conditioners
• Continuous gas hot water is the most efficient after solar
• A high energy rating dishwasher saves power and water
• If you need a clothes dryer make sure it’s an efficient one.
• Follow these guidelines for the star ratings energyrating.gov.au/about/energy-rating-labels

Step 4: See the light

• Maximise natural light sources
• Use energy efficient light globes
• Plan for different lighting needs in different rooms

Step 5: A healthy home

• Choose low Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) finishes
• Use cross ventilation to optimise airflow, reduce fumes and prevent damp
• Indoor plants can help remove pollutants and improve air quality

Step 6: A happy garden

You might like to think about attracting local fauna into your garden by choosing native species and creating little habitat areas.

• Use landscaping and plantings to your best advantage
• Attract local fauna by planting native species
• Help your garden and reduce waste by starting a compost heap or worm farm
• When choosing fencing consider safety, privacy, noise control, aesthetics and cost
• Remember to place some shade on your western walls and outdoor living areas.
• Deciduous trees and climbers can be great for summer shade, and still allow winter sun.
• Think about screening of AC units and waste storage, and remember to provide easy access for bin collection

For more information on smarter choices, refer to yourhome.gov.au