Green Home Products
Insulation innovation for your green home
When it comes to the green home, ratings matter. There are a number of eco certification for home based appliances and white goods. Plus you can get your home professionally assessed for energy efficiency.
Residential homes can be given a rating based on the National House Energy Rating (NatHERS) which is an index of the home’s thermal performance. It is done through a professional analysis by a qualified assessor working in conjunction with the builder of the home. NatHERS provides a baseline for assessment software to rate a home’s energy efficiency potential. Most homes in Australia currently fall below a 5 star rating, but the current tool has now been adapted to allow for a potential 10 star rating (which would be equivalent to zero conditioning energy). This system is based purely on the home’s infrastructure and does not include appliances or hot water systems. Find out more about energy ratings for your home.
Good insulation is a key feature in any energy efficient home. And homeowners are keen to take advantage of Kevin Rudd’s important announcement last week, with funds for ceiling insulation becoming available from the federal government. The Federal Government will be providing eligible homes wiht free ceiling insulation worth $1600. Landlords and renters can benefit too with rental properties being included in the package.
Yet with all the available insulation out there, which one should we consider?
Eco Home Tip #16 – Ask about the R value – the measure for insulation materials is the R value. A high R value means better insulation potential. For example, Pink Batts offers a range ceiling insulation products that have an R value of up to 6.0.
Eco Home Tip #17 – Natural insulation – Take your insulation innovation even further and look for ceiling insulation made from sustainable materials, such as Goldenfleece wool insulation. All natural wool fibre has great insulating properties, with the CSIRO claiming, “wool insulation performs better because of it’s ability to rapidly absorb and desorb moisture from the air.” And you’ll be helping out the rural farmers!
Eco Home Tip #18 – DIY insulation – there are lots of simple insulating ideas homeowners can adapt to protect their homes against the elements. Seal draughts with door snakes or hang some thick curtains on your windows to keep out the coming cold.
Insulation is the first step to a great energy efficient home that will save you money. Well designed homes that incorporate insulation, thermal mass design and sustainable energy alternatives, such as solar panels, can save some homeowners up to 50% on their annual energy consumption. Plus you get to enjoy the comfort of having a pleasant living environment year round.
You can find more great eco home ideas on the Green Pages.
About the Author
Visit your leading sustainability directory and news source at www.thegreenpages.com.au
Green Home TV – Green Cleaning Products
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Grendal the Green, Wine Goblets. Home Medieval Gothic Drink Ware Products. $39.95 |
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Vintage Green Home Budget Bank by Tudor Metal Products 6″x6.5″x2.25″ deep $24.99 |
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Sunset Green Women Sculptured Wall Decor. Home Gallery Art Design Products.Gifts $39.95 |
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Sunset Green Men Sculptured Wall Decor. Home Gallery Art Design Products &.Gifts $39.95 |
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RiverRidge Home Products Folding Storage Bins in Green (Set of 2) 02-012 $9.08 |
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Stanley Home Products Green Willow Spray Cologne Mist 2.1 fl oz $8.90 |
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FANCY HOME PRODUCTS CHURCH BIRD FEEDERS AVAILABLE IN GREEN BLACK AND BLUE $178.88 |
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FANCY HOME PRODUCTS CHURCH BIRD FEEDERS AVAILABLE IN GREEN BLACK AND BLUE $178.88 |
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FANCY HOME PRODUCTS CHURCH BIRD FEEDERS AVAILABLE IN GREEN BLACK AND BLUE $178.88 |
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FANCY HOME PRODUCTS CHURCH BIRD HOUSES AVAILABLE IN GREEN BLACK AND BLUE $158.88 |
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FANCY HOME PRODUCTS CHURCH BIRD HOUSES AVAILABLE IN GREEN BLACK AND BLUE $158.88 |
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FANCY HOME PRODUCTS CHURCH BIRD HOUSES AVAILABLE IN GREEN BLACK AND BLUE $158.88 |
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FANCY HOME PRODUCTS CHURCH BIRD HOUSES AVAILABLE IN GREEN BLACK AND BLUE $165.88 |
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FANCY HOME PRODUCTS CHURCH BIRD HOUSES AVAILABLE IN GREEN BLACK AND BLUE $165.88 |
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FANCY HOME PRODUCTS CHURCH BIRD HOUSES AVAILABLE IN GREEN BLACK AND BLUE $165.88 |
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Kracie(Kanebo Home Products) Naive Facial Cleansing Foam Green Tea 190g $4.99 |
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Vintage Stanley Home Products 1960s Avocado Green Stackable Tumblers $13.99 |
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As Seen On TV Green Handy Dust Cleaner – Dust Wiper – Home Cleaning Product $3.99 |
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Eco-Wise home care products for Furniture “Green Gard” for Fabric Leather Wood $45.00 |
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NATURAL HOME MAGAZINE GREEN PRODUCTS WATER FILTRATION $8.95 |
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VINTAGE LIME GREEN ASH TRAY BY WILLERT HOME PRODUCTS $17.99 |
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Cabela’s Cuddle Wrap By Sportsmen’s Home Products Snowflake Green NIB $29.99 |
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JOEY GREEN’S MAGIC BRANDS 1185 BAND NAME PRODUCT USES POLISH NATURAL HOME IDEAS $9.99 |
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(2) Vintage Melamine Ashtrays~Willert Home Products, Inc.~Green & Black~042012 $7.95 |
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Stanley Home Products Microfiber Mitt and Cloth Set with Green Shammy Cloth $7.97 |
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OXO Salad Spinner … |
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Progressive International LKS-06 Lettuce Keeper $10.90 Help preserve your lettuce and produce and keep it fresh and tasty with the Lettuce and Produce Keeper preserving container from Progressive. Using an adjustable air vent and water reservoir, the keeper simulates more natural conditions for the produce, while helps to keep it healthy and fresh tasting. An included divider segments the container so you can preserve more than one produce type at a t… |
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Tovolo Star Ice Pop Mold … |
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Critters [VHS] $14.91 Carnivorous aliens who feed on human flesh invade Earth. Starring Dee Wallace-Stone and M. Emmet Walsh. Year: 1986 Director: Stephen Herek Starring: Dee Wallace-Stone, M. Emmet Walsh, Billy Green Bush… |
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Contech CRO101 Scarecrow Motion Activated Sprinkler $59.99 The Contech Electronics Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler presents an innovative, humane way to keep pets and wildlife from disturbing your yard and garden without the use of complicated traps or potentially hazardous chemicals. The sprinkler combines a surprise spray of water with unexpected motion and noise to create a safe, effective deterrent to unwanted visitors, helping keep your garden l… |
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AccuSharp 001 Knife Sharpener $5.33 Versatile and easy enough for anyone to use safely, the AccuSharp 001 Knife Sharpener lets you quickly sharpen a wide variety of bladed tools, from straight and serrated knives to cleavers and axes. Its unique, ergonomic design guards your fingers while a dependable, diamond-honed tungsten carbide blade puts a precision edge on your tools. .caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, s… |
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Streamlight 73001 Nano Light Miniature Keychain LED Flashlight, Black $3.75 FEATURES Easily attaches to just about anything with pocket clip or key ring: 1 Up to 8 hours run time: 2 Machined aircraft grade aluminum with anodized finish: 3 Uses 4 alkaline button cell batteries included: 4 White LED bulb with 10 lumens: 5 Weatherproof: 6 Includes a non-rotating snap hook for easy one handed operation when atta… |
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The Italian Job [Blu-ray] $7.74 Though it bears little resemblance to the original 1969 thriller starring Michael Caine, the 2003 remake of The Italian Job stands on its own as a caper comedy that’s well above average. The title’s a misnomer–this time it’s actually a Los Angeles job–but the action’s just as exciting as it propels a breezy tale of honor and dishonor among competing thieves. Inheriting Caine’s role as ace heist-… |
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The Italian Job $2.79 Though it bears little resemblance to the original 1969 thriller starring Michael Caine, the 2003 remake of The Italian Job stands on its own as a caper comedy that’s well above average. The title’s a misnomer–this time it’s actually a Los Angeles job–but the action’s just as exciting as it propels a breezy tale of honor and dishonor among competing thieves. Inheriting Caine’s role as ace heist-… |
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The Goonies $7.42 You may be surprised to discover that the director of the Lethal Weapon movies and scary horror flick The Omen, Richard Donner, also produced and directed this classic children’s adventure (which, by the way, was written by Donner’s screen-wizard friend Steven Spielberg). Then again you may not. The Goonies, like Donner’s other movies, is the same story of good versus evil. It has its share of bad… |
