Household Utilities: Index Page

Western societies have evolved with an attitude that resource usage is directly related to financial affordability. In making infrastructure decisions we must recognise that the cost of providing services to a household is greater than that of the occupiers. It includes the cost of using limited primary resources; supply and treatment of these resources; and management of our waste products.

If the environment is to remain sustainable, householders must make a decision to work with the environment rather than from it.

Colin and Chris have made decisions to use sustainable options, so as to minimise the impact on the environment over the life of the building. These are discussed under the following headings.

Power Requirements Plans power requirements in the home, discusses historical power usage, lights, hot water systems and appliances.	Sustainable Energy Defines Sustainable energy and discusses grid,  solar, wind and solar thermal options.
Water Plans residential water consumption. Catchment, storage, stormwater and bushfire management are discussed.	Grey Water Defines Greywater and discusses greywater  options.
Sewage Discusses onsite sewage options.	Recycling Discusses sustainable recycling options, and permaculture.