Sustainable ideas, using natural energies, to improve existing houses in a cool-temperate climate

In 1991, architect and solar consultant Derek Wrigley moved into a townhouse in Canberra and faced a new design challenge

how to retrofit an existing suburban house to use renewable energies rather than fossil fuels.

Convinced that building design could do more to achieve sustainability, he developed a series of innovative devices to improve the energy efficiency of the house, and modified the existing design to work harmoniously with the local climate.

The house now generates about 15 per cent more electricity than it consumes, and the photovoltaic system should have a pay-back period of just under nine years.

The house ventilates and cools itself without any electrical assistance or air conditioning, and greywater nourishes the garden.

Derek has been advised that for every dollar spend on retrofitting, he is adding at least double that amount to the house’s market value.

Making Your Home Sustainable is a practical and easy-to-follow guide for homeowners, builders and architects who are concerned about the effects of climate change and environmental degradation, and who want to do something about reversing the trend.

Derek Wrigley shows how simple modifications to existing homes can help to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, and utilise natural rather than imported energies and resources.

He clearly explains how to-

Identify retrofitting potential when buying a home; Rationalise energy and water consumption; Provide sunshine in southern rooms, warmth in winter, and cool air in summer; Use ventilation and insulation to reduce the need for artificial heating or cooling; Install a solar hot-water system; Utilise wasted sunlight to heat and illuminate your home; Create a beautiful landscape which also contributes to your household energy efficiency; and Install reflectors, sunshades, water recycling, heliostats, double-glazing, photovoltaics, water tanks, and other energy-saving and water-saving devices. With detailed descriptions, and around 150 photographs and diagrams, this revised edition of Making Your Home Sustainable is the retrofitter’s bible

an ideal, practical guide for anyone who wants to make their home more comfortable and save money on energy bills while increasing the value of their house and addressing the causes of global warming.

‘This is a timely and practical book for all who wonder how they can make their community more energy-efficient and sustainable.

Lots of personal satisfaction to be had as well!

There are doable, often novel, things in here for every house, old and new.’
- Tony McMichael, epidemiologist and climate-change researcher, Australian National Univeristy

‘As an esteemed architect and pioneer of solar house design in Australia, Wrigley not only has his heart in the right place but the knowledge and practical experience to back it up … This book is detailed, practical, and thorough.’
- Steve Payne, Organic Gardener