Sustainable Living Tips

Follow the tips below to make your home more sustainable. If you are thinking about a renovation, don't miss out on the opportunity to make sustainable improvements. Sign up for our Sustainable Building Advisory Service to receive free building advice from a qualified architect. 

Go solar

It's the top action to take! Follow our 4 step guide:

Step 1: Do some background research

Read the "Buying Solar" Guide with independent advice from the Clean Energy Council. This guide will help you to understand solar so that you can define what is best for your situation. The Clean Energy Council also have approved solar retailers, approved products and accredited installers.

Step 2: Grab your energy bills

Gather the last twelve months of energy bills to determine your average daily usage in kilowatt hours (kWh) across all the seasons.

Step 3: Map your roof for solar

Use the Solar Mapping tool to enter your address and draw solar panels on your roof to see what size system is best. The tool will estimate of the system cost and give you the ability to compare and match a system with your budget. You can also look at the battery systems to see their costs and savings too.

Step 4: Request and review quotes from several solar retailers

You should get at least one quote from a Clean Energy Council accredited retailer and check they quote for Clean Energy Council accredited equipment. Review quotes from several retailers considering the Clean Energy Council's Solar Guide for Consumers (see page 6-9)

In most cases residential solar installations do not need a Development Application as they are classed as ‘Exempt Development’ under the State Environment Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 (Policy), meaning an application is not required. Residents should review the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 Chapter 2 Division 4, Electricity generating works or solar energy systems to determine if their solar installation requires a formal application for Development Consent or a Complying Development Certificate.

Some examples of systems requiring an application are those:

- built on a heritage property
- involving reflective mirrors or lenses
- protruding more than 0.5m from the roof, facing a primary road or if not facing a primary road, protruding more than 1m from a wall or roof or
- closer than 1m to the property boundary.                                                        

Get Green Power

The next best thing after rooftop solar, is supporting a renewable energy project through the Green Power program. 

Reduce your food waste to landfill

You can do this in 5 simple steps: 

Step 1: Sort your waste. See how much you are throwing out each week by collecting it.

Step 2: Plan your meals and shop to a list. There is nothing worse than shopping when you are hungry! Read the grocery bill afterwards and you will see all those impulse decisions. So, why not write out each meal for the week and list only the ingredients needed on your shopping list. Oh, and grab some lunch before you go shopping!

Step 3: Store your food correctly to keep it fresh. Check out the Love Food Hate Waste tips.

Step 4: Consider serving sizes and if you go overboard, enjoy those leftovers.

Step 5: Get a discounted compost or worm farm from Council for the food waste you can't reduce. If you can't do this yourself, connect with a neighbour via the ShareWaste platform.

2.   Make your next car electric. New EV owners can apply for a stamp duty and rebate incentives from the NSW Government. This applies to the first 25,000 buyers so get in quick! See the NSW dashboard. This Map of charging sites makes it easy to find a charging point. Also consider walking, riding and public transport when you can.

3.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – in that order! Work out what waste you can eliminate completely, find a way to reuse things and recycle what you can't avoid. You could also support recycling by buying products with recycled content. Are you wondering what items you could switch from disposal to reusable? Think, coffee cups, salad bowls and even reusable nappies. Read the Modern Cloth Nappy Guide to get started.

4.   Upgrade your appliances to ensure the most efficient and all electric. See the NSW government rebates for air conditioning, pool pumps, hot water systems and lighting.

5.  Save Water by repairing leaks and installing water efficient showerheads, taps and toilets. Check out the Sydney Water's WaterFix program for a subsidised consultation and free upgrades.

If you're not sure where to start, apply for a free Energy and Water Efficiency Assessment by an independent consultant through Councils Greener Apartments Program.

Go solar!

It might not be as straightforward as when you live in a house but getting solar is still the number one action to take. Some clever people have come up with lots of options for apartments so that you don't miss out. See the Solar for Apartments Guide for full details and take the free Solar Readiness for Strata training program.

Option 1: Solar for individual apartments. Best for low-rise apartments where there is enough roof space to allocate to each unit.

Option 2: Shared solar for individual apartments. Using microinverters or specialised technology, one large solar system can distribute energy fairly to units that opt in. Suitable for low-rise apartments.

Option 3: Common area solar. Enjoy lower strata levies due to lower electricity bills. The rooftop solar can cover common area lighting, lifts and pool pumps.

Option 4: Connect with a Solar Garden. A great option if solar on your apartment roof is not possible. A solar garden produces solar energy, which is sold into the grid. You sign up with the participating electricity retailer who delivers the credits onto your electricity bill from the sale of the solar produced. 

Then follow steps 2-4 listed above under Tips for Homeowners.

Install Electric Vehicle Charging Points

Discover everything you need to know to be EV ready by taking the free EV Charging Readiness for Strata Training course.

Save Water by repairing leaks and installing water efficient showerheads, taps and toilets. Check out the Sydney Water's WaterFix Strata program to receive a free desktop analysis of your building.

With almost 60% of residential energy emissions coming from electricity use, Council wants to help you save energy and money in your home. We’ve compiled a series of short videos on how to be more energy efficient and in turn save money on your heating and cooling, hot water, insulation, standby power, solar and batteries. There’s also a video on how to read your electricity bill to ensure you are getting value for money. 

Borrow an Energy Meter from the library to learn:

• Which appliances cost the most to run
• What settings on your appliances are the most energy efficient
• If any appliances need to be upgraded
• Which appliances can be run on a timer or standby controller

Visit Lane Cove Library's website to find out more.

Watch the video on Standby Power to learn:

·        How to save 10-15% on your electricity bill

·        How energy meter readings and smart powerboards can benefit you

What the video on Energy Bills to learn:

·        How to save 15 – 20% off your bill

·        Understand tariffs and time of use charges

·        How the Energy Made Easy website shows the cheapest electricity provider

Watch the video on Insulation and Sealing to learn:

·        The importance of blocking draughts to reduce costs

·        What you can do at home and when to seek professional assistance

·        When to upgrade your insulation

Watch the video on Heating and Cooling to learn:

·        The benefits of fans and a dark home

·        Making air conditioning work for you

Watch the video Solar Power to learn

·        Most installations pay for themselves in 3-4 years

·        How to make the most of the energy you produce

·        What assistance the Clean Energy Council can provide

Watch the video on House Batteries to learn:

·        Most installations pay for themselves in 10 years

·        How to get the best battery to match your needs

·        How to calculate the value proposition