Following the St Brigid's Sustainable Homes Tour, this presentation was prepared for VCE Environmental Science students. It outlines the considerations for sustainable living in SW Victoria.

1. Sustainable Homes Unit 3 VCE Environmental Science Area of Study 1: Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

3. Materials (wood, mud-brick, straw-bale, stone, Hebel)

4. Design (roof pitch, eaves, height of ceilings)

5. Garden surrounds (effects on micro-climate)

6. Energy use and supply

7. Waste (Rethink, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle)

8. Biodiversity (encouraging native plants and animals)

10. With effective roof eaves, summer sun can be prevented from entering the home due to the greater angle of the sun at this time.

13. Embodied energy (mass, volume and distance travelled)

14. Insulation properties and weathering

15. Thermal capacity

19. Windows placed to allow effective cross-ventilation and circulation of cool and warm air.

20. Small ‘footprint’ to reduce impact.

23. Bodies of water (ponds, pools and waterfalls) can create a cool microclimate.

24. Vines (Clematis, ornamental grape, Hardenbergiacan provide a cooling effect on solid surfaces.

28. Photovoltaic panels can provide sufficient energy to power most homes. Grid-connected or stand alone systems have different benefits and disadvantages.

31. Reduce – Less packaging, buy in bulk. Landfill is a growing problem.

32. Reuse – Ceramic cups and plates instead of plastic, tins and glass containers in the home.

35. Leave ‘wild’ places for biodiversity to flourish.

38. Tank water can provide adequate supplies, without chlorine or fluoride added.

39. Grey water can be recycled through reed beds or commercial systems for garden use.