Project list
Sign in to your account
With project lists you can...
Please sign in or create an account to use Project Lists
By /
Building from scratch or renovating entails many decisions that relate to your immediate needs, but it pays to consider the years ahead, too. Future proofing your home upfront can improve its performance now and reduce the likelihood of costly renovations later. Here are seven ways to ensure your home adapts and endures as time goes on.
Designing your home with a warming climate in mind ensures long-term comfort and energy cost savings, says Ian McNicol, senior advisor energy efficiency at Sustainability Victoria. “With good design, especially at the planning stages, you can more easily boost your home’s energy efficiency,” he says.
Tips include situating living areas on the northern side of the house to take advantage of winter sun and light. Avoid large expanses of glazing facing west or east, or make sure they are well shaded for summer, and minimise south-facing windows. Architect Andy Marlow from Envirotecture, which specialises in sustainable building design, says double-glazed and energy-efficient windows reduce heat loss and gain. “The frame material also matters. Avoid anything that conducts heat well,” says Andy.
Importantly, creating zones separated by doors and corridors means they can be closed off when not in use, minimising energy use.
Insulation not only makes a home more comfortable but can slash heating and cooling bills by 40-50 per cent¹. If you can’t afford to insulate every area of your home, start in sections, recommends Andy. “Your roof is usually the easiest part to insulate. It will give you the biggest bang for your buck, so start here. Walls are the next part to tackle, followed by floors,” he says.
Good ventilation is another way to boost energy efficiency and is critical for a healthy home, says Andy. While windows play their part, opening them in colder months isn’t always practical. “Ventilation is best achieved by using fans to remove excess moisture from bathrooms, laundries and kitchens,” advises Andy. “In new homes, a centralised ventilation system with heat recovery is often used for increased efficiency and improved indoor air quality.” Airtightness (sealing gaps and blocking draughts in your home) is also good for both energy efficiency and health, says Andy.
Installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems reduces not only your electricity bills but also your greenhouse-gas emissions². “If paired with battery storage, PV can enable you to ride out power shortages, which is a great resilience measure,” says Andy. Use a Clean Energy Council accredited installer to ensure all standards are met.
Choose water-saving fittings and appliances, and consider installing rainwater tanks to help conserve water. Make sure wet areas can be easily adapted to accommodate future design and technology changes. Investing in heat-pump or solar hot water systems might be pricier initially, but they significantly cut down running costs compared with standard electric or gas water heaters³.
Good lighting makes a home more pleasant to be in. Correct orientation on the site can deliver light and sunshine in winter, while eaves, awnings and deciduous plants can provide shade and block summer heat. Any new build or renovations should have a shade plan addressing its location and orientation. Research efficient interior lighting for your home. For example, pendants and lamps create a cosy setting without the need for bright downlights.
‘Smart’ technology (appliances and electronics connected to the internet) allows you to control things remotely and automatically. Even if you don’t need it now, having the right infrastructure – ethernet cables and electrics – in place will futureproof the house for when you or someone else wants it. Lighting, shade, curtains and blinds, heating and cooling, ventilation and security systems can all be operated via smart technology.
Living comfortably at home until a ripe old age is surely everyone’s ambition, and it’s made more achievable by planning ahead. Design considerations recommended by Livable Housing Australia can be incorporated into a new build or renovation, or retrofitted to support comfortable ageing in place.
Considerations include ensuring that at least one entrance is free of any steps and that flooring is slip resistant. Wide corridors and internal doors allow for easy manoeuvrability and windows should provide a view to the outdoors when seated. A ground-floor toilet, barrier-free shower recess and reinforced walls around the toilet, shower and bath to support the safe installation of grab rails are key. Kitchen and laundry areas should have ample space to move around, with accessible under-bench drawers. Put light switches and power points in logical, easy-to-reach places.
¹ Sustainability Victoria - Energy Efficiency
² Your Home - Photovoltaic Systems
³ Your Home - Heating and Cooling
⁴ Sustainability Victoria - LED Bulbs
Harness the power of technology with our range of smart home products.
Photo Credit: Brigid Arnott, Louise Roche
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
