Sustainable House Day is an event from Renew that provides the opportunity to explore some of Australia’s most inspiring homes, and learn from the people who designed them, built them, and live in them.

Following a day of open-home tours around the country on 21st April 2024, a month of Extension Sessions offered a deep dive into a range of sustainability topics. Australia's best architects, designers, tradespeople and experts came together to offer guidance, and homeowners offered first hand experience. If you're considering a sustainable build or renovation, this series is for you.

You can book for this recording independently, or grab an Extension Session Pass to attend the whole series at a discounted price.

Session 5: Technology for the transition:  Solar, home batteries, EV’s

In this session we dug into a favourite topic at Renew: sustainable tech. We covered everything that you need to know when considering rooftop solar, home battery storage, and electric vehicles. You’ll learn what setup would suit your home and lifestyle, and key considerations to make the return-on-investment stack up.

An expert panel of leading sustainable architects and experts offered guidance and advice.

Featuring:

Bryce Gaton, The Driven – EV Choice Consulting

Bryce Gaton is passionate about all things electric vehicles. He has more than 15 years experience with EVs, and currently writes for TheDriven, runs the EV transition support consultancy EV Choice and is the EV electrical safety trainer/build safety supervisor for Melbourne University’s FSAE EV race team. Bryce regularly writes for Renew magazine.

Lily Pejik, Owner, Sydney Solar and Batteries

Lily Pejik commenced her Electrical career in 2007 and today regularly consults with builders, architects and high-end commercial builders with a focus on sustainable and energy efficiency. She has passion and purpose for the community and the environment and busily runs her company Sydney Solar and Batteries. She is one of the founding members of Australian Women in Solar Energy a not-for-profit organisation who do community projects such as solar and battery systems for women's shelters.

Mike McCluskey, Homeowner - Mikes House

Mike McCluskey is the homeowners of Mike's House - a featured home of SHD 2024. Constructed in 2012, this north-facing, fully insulated off-grid home features double-glazed windows throughout. Originally equipped with gas-boosted solar hot water and a gas cooktop, heating relied on wood stoves, and inefficient electric heaters. Upgrades include increased Solar PVC capacity, and a heat pump space heater significantly reducing need for wood heating. Also off-grid electric vehicle and electric ATV, both charged via 15 amp outlet from solar and batteries. Plans include an induction cooktop and adding a hot water heat pump increasing efficiency.

Hosted by:

Dean Lombard, Energy Advisor, Energesis

Dean Lombard is an energy advisor and social worker who worked in community development before spending nearly two decades in energy consumer advocacy and policy development for the Victorian Council of Social Service and Renew, working on issues such as household energy efficiency and fuel choice, consumer empowerment and protections, tariff reform, and energy system transformation. Currently he advises energy businesses on customer engagement and renewable energy integration, and helps deliver Renew's Sustainable Expert Series of Council events.

Tickets

You can purchase a ticket to this event individually, or consider an Extension Session Pass, giving you access to all of our Extension Session recordings at a discounted price.
Sustainable House Day is an event by Renew.

Our sponsors

Sustainable House Day wouldn't be possible without our amazing sponsors, we are so grateful for their support. Gold Sponsors: NSW Architects Registration Board. Silver Sponsors: Bank Australia, Witchcliffe Ecovillage. Bronze Sponsors: Cargocylces, Envirotecture, and Light House Architecture and Science.