Sustainable House Day takes place on 17 May this year, encouraging Australians to explore practical ways to create more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly homes. The annual event provides the opportunity to visit sustainable homes across the country, highlighting how simple changes can reduce environmental impact while improving comfort and lowering household costs. For more information, refer to: Sustainable House Day website.
Sustainable House Day began in 1994 as Solar House Day, showing early solar homes. As time progressed and technology improved, the event expanded to energy efficiency, electrification, passive design, materials and climate resilience.
As climate concerns and rising energy prices continue to shape conversations about the future, Sustainable House Day encourages homeowners, renters and communities to think differently about how homes are built, renovated, and maintained. Whether it’s a newly designed eco-home or a small apartment with smarter energy choices, every step towards sustainability can make a difference.
One of the most effective ways to make a home more sustainable is by installing solar panels and batteries, which help households generate and store renewable energy to help reduce their electricity bills. Other energy-saving upgrades, including LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, and improved insulation, can also significantly reduce heating, cooling and energy costs throughout the year.
Water-saving features are another important part of sustainable living. Rainwater tanks, solar or energy efficient hot water systems, low-flow taps and water-efficient gardens with drought-resistant or native plants can help households reduce water use while creating outdoor spaces better suited to Australia’s climate.
Thoughtful home design can also improve sustainability. Natural ventilation, double-glazed windows and maximising natural sunlight can help create homes that are more comfortable and energy-efficient year-round. Using sustainable or recycled building materials during renovations can further minimise environmental impact.
Reducing household waste is another important step towards sustainable living. Composting food scraps, recycling correctly and choosing reusable products over single-use plastics are small but meaningful actions that can collectively make a significant difference.
For members looking to invest in sustainable home improvements, our Green Upgrades Loan can help make these changes more accessible. Whether you’re installing solar panels, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances or making other environmentally friendly improvements, read more about our Green Upgrades Loan product. We’re helping to support more sustainable choices for your home and your future.
Mutually valuable banking for people and planet
As a member focused, values-driven organisation, acting responsibly and ethically is at the heart of our operations. We are committed to the ongoing promotion and creation of mutual value and strive to make a positive impact for our members and the communities we are part of. It is this sentiment that underpins our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy - Mutually valuable banking for people and planet.
We are always looking for ways to minimise the impact our business operations, and our products and financing have on the environment.
Our head office was refurbished to improve efficiency and wellbeing and as part of our commitment to waste reduction, we repurposed much of our existing furniture. Remaining items were made available to staff or donated to Barnardos Australia’s child and family centres and Planet Ark’s City Recycling program.
Newly installed water systems, upgraded lighting and presentation technology were selected to reduce resource consumption and improve energy efficiency. This complemented the office’s comprehensive four-bin recycling system for dry-waste, organics, recyclables, and paper - to help prevent contamination, reduce waste and minimise landfill.
We have also undertaken a Greenhouse Gas Assessment to better understand our emissions and identify reduction opportunities, completing our submission to Climate Active, an Australian Government program driving voluntary climate action. Last year, we offset 1,847 tCO2-e using 80% Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) and 20% Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).
Our Responsible Banking Policy guides our approach to lending and investing with respect to our ESG Strategy. It outlines how our members’ money is being used to contribute to a positive, viable banking model focused on meeting human needs and sustainability.
We believe sustainable choices should also be affordable choices. Our Green Car Loan and Green Upgrades Loan are the latest additions to our impact product suite, making it easier for our members to take meaningful steps toward reducing emissions and saving on energy costs.
Through our ESG Strategy, we have delivered a number of impact initiatives including recycled PVC cards and environmentally conscious collateral, accessible and inclusive service enhancements, our Essential Worker Home Loan, and Worker Support Benefits.
