WHEN designing their new home, Alice Turnbull and Greg O’Byrne did not hesitate to make it as sustainable and efficient as possible.
The couple’s Little Howard Street home brings together numerous sustainability concepts including rainwater catchment and harvesting through an underground water tank, solar hydronic underfloor heating and solar-passive orientation, among other features.
They will throw open the doors to their home this month as part of Sustainable House Day, one of more than 170 homes across the country to do so.
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READ NOWMs Turnbull said the liveability and running costs of having an unsustainable home was not something they wanted to risk.
“Building a sustainable home just makes sense on so many levels and it doesn’t have to add to the cost of the project,” she said.
“Living sustainably is really important to us and while we aren’t perfect, we are always looking for ways that we can tread a bit more lightly on the earth.
“Having spent over four years building our home, we were really keen to open it up for everyone to have a look and hopefully learn from or be inspired by our experiences.
“Our house might not suit everyone but it is an example of what can be achieved when building a sustainable home.”
Homes on Blinco Street and Doust Street in Hilton will also be open for the event.
Sustainable House Day is on September 17.
Visit www.sustainablehouseday.com for more information.
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