We’re all trying to play our part in reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change. Small changes in and around your home may seem negligible, but every little light switch flick makes a positive difference. If we can all continue doing as much as we can, Australia as a nation will continue to showcase its commitment to decarbonisation.

With that in mind, this article is looking specifically at carbon-neutral homes, and how you can turn your home into one. From the tiny changes to thoughtful housing structure, to greener building materials, there are many steps to making your home carbon-neutral, each as rewarding as the next.

So without further ado, let’s find out how you can make your home carbon neutral.

Invest In Renewable Energy Sources

One of the easiest ways to reduce the carbon emissions in your home is through solar installation. Installing solar panels on your roof will help you collect solar energy – one of Australia’s most abundant renewable energy sources that causes 0 harm to the planet, unlike coal mining. Even if you only allocate a portion of your energy to be fuelled by solar panels, you’ll be doing your bit to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels as well as your own household’s carbon footprint, and most likely reducing your own energy bill as well.

Australia is a country renowned for its sunlight. There’s no shortage of it, so it makes sense to put it to good use, as more and more Australians are already doing. Be sure to check out your local council or state government and see if they offer any rebates for solar installation, as many have incentives to encourage this positive shift.

Focus On Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is all about getting more out of what you’ve got (and what you’re paying for). Not only does this reduce your household energy bills, it takes pressure off the national grid, and reduces the carbon emission from energy generated with non-renewable sources like coal and gas.

Energy-efficient LED light bulbs work just as well as standard ones, and they tend to last longer. Smart insulation, such as foam cavities in your walls, and draft excluders at the foot of your door, can help with heating costs. If your windows aren’t already double glazed this method of insulation will dramatically reduce your heating bills over the years, and in warmer months, install shades to keep the cooling costs down too.

Turn off lights when you leave a room, and turn off appliances when you’re not using them. Remember, off means off, not on standby – as devices that are on standby can still use a substantial amount of standby power. Using a plug-in power meter can help you check how much electricity appliances are actually using in your home.

Use Green Building Materials

If you’re involved in a new-build, or you’re renovating your current home, green building materials should be at the forefront of your plans. Not only will they have all the benefits listed above, they will make your home more economically friendly in the long run. Keir’s ready built homes Townsville offer the option to include these green materials in the construction.

Aside from this, as Australian governments get tougher on carbon emissions, it looks set only to be a matter of time until there are restrictions on the building materials used, much like how Asbestos was banned as a building material in 2003 due to its health risks. So if you plan to sell your house in the future, this will help it avoid a massive depreciation in value.

Consider aesthetic sustainable choices as well, such as a literal ‘green’ wall. More corporate skyscrapers and tower blocks are incorporating walls of foliage into their architectural designs. Architects and designers are increasingly embracing green walls as a way to enhance aesthetics, improve air quality, and promote sustainability in urban environments. Plants both absorb carbon dioxide and brighten up a dreary concrete wall. It’s a win-win!

Reduce Waste

Reducing waste applies to all elements of your life. Shop with brands that pledge to ship their goods in recyclable packaging. Try not to buy too many unnecessary items, and fill your home with recycled or sustainable materials, such as organic cotton or hemp towels. In 2024, there are eco-friendly alternatives to almost every plastic utensil imaginable.

Food Waste

Australians waste 7.8 million tonnes of food per year. This is a number that can easily be cut down, and contribute to your attempts to become a carbon-neutral home, as rotting food produces carbon dioxide and methane, which is even more harmful to the environment.

Shop your groceries according to meal plans rather than buying what you see on the shelves, and freeze what you don’t eat. There’s nothing wrong with leftovers, and if you don’t fancy eating the same meal twice in a row, there are often new dishes you can create out of what you’ve already cooked.

Get a food bin to store your unavoidable food waste such as banana skins and orange peels, where it can be processed naturally  and avoid ending up in landfill. If you have the outdoor space, set up a compost area instead. You can use the degraded food to nourish your plants and soil and add coffee grounds to it too.

Invest To Cancel Out Your Carbon Offsets

Becoming carbon-neutral will take at least a couple of years. If you’re fully intent on making a complete transition, these steps will help you get there, but not overnight. You will need to have a reliable supply of renewable energy, as well as a decent backup store in case of an outage. Many families choose to run off-grid on a part-time basis, or at certain times of the year, such as in the summer, when there is more solar energy available and less heating costs.

To offset the carbon your household is still producing, you can invest in green initiatives to ‘pay back’ the carbon dioxide emissions in the meantime. That may mean donating to reforesting campaigns, micro-financing sustainable start-ups, or contributing to large firm investments in initiatives and rebates for renewable energy projects.

As you can see, there are little and large steps you can take to make your home carbon neutral, depending on your current budget and household needs. But in 2024, switching to renewable energy alternatives, or filling your home with furniture and items made from eco-friendly materials, is easier than it’s ever been.

Be sure to follow the tips we’ve provided, to ensure that you and your wider household are well on your way to achieving a carbon neutral home.