Simon's sharehouse actions

Around the month of May MEFL did a series of audits to help some Zero Carbon Moreland participants take action around their home and Simon from Brunswick received one of these audits. Simon had signed up to ZCM at the 2009 Sydney Road Street Party and had already taken some action around his share home before his audit. Pre-audit, Simon had installed heavy material over an open doorway to block off the uninsulated areas of the house and had segmented living areas whilst the gas heater was in operation. Making use of the curtains and a door snake to further block drafts and ensure that their gas heater was working efficiently helped to keep their home warm. Simon said that all these measures made a big difference comfort-wise throughout the colder months and were easy and cost-efficient.

Post-audit Simon and his house mates have fulfilled the ‘future actions’ that they nominated on their sign up postcard. Firstly they increased the amount of Green Power they purchase from 20% to 100% which only costs an extra $10 a month. Secondly they started growing some of their own food. Simon has also reattached the door that had been taken off in order to make the home appear more open plan. He purchased some screws and other small pieces at minimal cost and put the door back on with the help of his housemates. Simon explained “there is actually a lot you can do yourself” and he is now trying to hone his handyman skills by not calling the landlord to come and fix everything (within reason of course!).

For summer the plantar boxes have already gone in and rows of small barrels are collecting fresh rainwater that will help sustain the newly planted veggie patch and fruit trees. Water collected from the shower is used to feed the succulents and ornamental plants. In preparation for the hot weather Simon has again used material to block the sun from heating up the home through the ‘tacked on’ extension toward the back of the home.

Simon is a good example of how you can take simple actions to reduce your emissions at minimal cost and great benefit to the comfort of your home and lifestyle.

Good work Simon, these are great actions that will hopefully inspire others.