Wollongong, NSW 2500
"At Happy Earth, we’re on an adventure in urban sustainability, exploring how we can retrofit a typical house and lawn into a healthy, efficient home with an abundant food garden. For us being sustainable is really about living happier, healthier lives and feeling good about doing things that are good for us, the planet and our community. It’s about wholesome food and lower bills, meaning more time for family and friends, and less time working."
Find out more at: www.happyearth.com.au

Rooty Hill, NSW 2766
 
The house itself is a 50 year old bricked-over fibro house. After purchasing the house in '99, I installed a 300 litre Solahart Black Chrome XII Solar Hot Water System with electric boost, followed by a 1.35kW grid-interactive PV system in 2000, a 300 litre 'drinking water' tank, and a 2000 litre tank which is now plumbed to the laundry. In the following years I tried a SunLizard Solar Air Heater and canvas external window blinds. In 2008 I've added a 7,000 litre under-floor ecosac bladder, which supplies water to the house. Mains back-up is via a Rainbank controller.