The information I've found online about the federal government's insulation rebate programme is either written by vendors or incredibly complicated. The programme itself is actually quite simple, and I think it's one of the most important sustainability things this government is doing. It's cheap, it creates jobs and most importantly it's going to be very effective for years to come. Insulation isn't one of the sexy environmental things going, so just like energy efficiency it doesn't get much press.

The programme is quite simple: if your house (including rentals!) doesn't have insulation, you can get it paid for by the government. $1,600 should cover the cost of insulating most houses.

I've written a site that explains how the programme works and how to get the insulation installed using the government's subsidy.

Insulation Rebate Australia.

http://insulationrebateaustralia.com/

Looking for anyone with old CDs no longer needed to donate them to the 'CDs for Widlife' project - basically a team of volunteers will go to anyone's property and hang the CDs on their barbed wire fence in 'hot spots'.
Looking for volunteers as well!
Sammy

What's the most energy-efficient way to heat a home?

I live in a rental house with floorboards, so it gets quite cold (have done my best with floor and window coverings). The fireplace is broken and I know fires aren't good for the environment anyway.

I need something that heats a large space evenly while being energy-efficient. Am I asking for a miracle?

Thanks, Leigh

Donald Woolard
Does anyone have any ideas on how to cut down (out) the use of Christmas lights? I am afraid that someone will begin a "pretty christmas lights" competition and Maleny and surrounds will participate! How can we link the power used for these lights to carbon? Any ideas on the number of trees that would need to be planted to offset an average home decoration? I remember a few years ago we had a competition and the homes at the top of Teak Street were bright. Any competition has the added problem of cruising cars to admire the pretty lights! Maybe I am just a grump!
Don.