Story Title: A sustainable home
Episode 2: WA's Great Gardens
Date: 23 May
Presenter: Neville Passmore

Take a tour through Neville's sustainable dream home and discover practical solutions to reduce household emissions today.

Neville's Tips and Facts

• The home design is focused on solar passive possibilities.
• The living area of the house faces due north and is able to capture the warmth of a sunny winter's day in the polished concrete or terrazzo floor.
• In the middle of winter the low angle sunlight penetrates the living area. This warmth is captured in the uncovered floor and keeps us warm till early midnight.
• In summer the angle of the eave prevents sun getting into the house.
• Change to a solar hot water system. The benefits are endless, including a gas fired booster for those cloudy or rainy days.
• Consider a photovoltaic system, you will be able to convert solar energy into electricity which you can use directly during the day and any excess goes into the Western Power grid for which we receive a credit.
• An underground rainwater tank can capture water from the heavens. The skillion design makes it easy to collect the water that falls very efficient. This water can be used in the kitchen but is mainly for the vegetable garden.
• The choice of waterwise plants for the front garden is aimed at reducing demand on scheme water. Strappy leaf plants such as grass trees, Gymea lily and Casa Blue dianella are almost indestructible once they have settled their roots into terra firma.
• Choose a waterwise lawn such as Empire Zoyzia. This a slow growing variety and is low maintenance.
• Irrigation happens underground or under mulch so you can't see much but such a system eliminates evaporation and means that every drop of water is working for you.