Known for its hot summers and Mediterranean climate, living comfortably in Perth means designing houses that are built for the heat. As such, Perth homeowners and home builders are often thinking about climate-friendly inclusions like south-facing windows to keep their homes cool, insulation, and other energy-saving design features.
The good news is that Western Australia’s abundance of sunshine makes eco-friendly investments like solar panels and household gardens an easy no-brainer. Whether through government-led sustainability initiatives or greening strategies implemented by households or even businesses across the region, there are always steady efforts being made to encourage eco-ownership and responsibility in Perth.
But how can we, on an individual level, play our part and maintain eco-friendly practices? If you’re keen for your family to start leading an environmentally friendly lifestyle, here are some of our top eco-living tips that are perfect for Perth households.
Invest in Solar Power for your Home
The simplest way to embrace eco-friendly living at home is to invest in solar power for your property. Thankfully, government solar initiatives are making solar investments more accessible for Perth families. You can enjoy competitive solar rebates on not only solar panel systems but also solar batteries and solar hot water.
If you’ve already been considering solar panels and batteries but haven’t paid much mind to solar hot water yet, let us illuminate you. Whether we’re washing the hands of our five-year-old or cleaning our dirty laundry, we all know how important water heaters are for running a household. An efficient way to help the environment is using a solar water heater.
Think of a solar hot water system in Perth as a long-term investment. On top of being easy on the environment, these solar appliances are also known for their water conservation features, allowing us to save a couple of bucks on our bills in the long run.
Swap to EV Cruising
With the rising cost of fuel nationwide, it’s no surprise why so many families have already decided to turn to battery-powered transportation. But on top of supporting families in working towards self-sufficiency, electric vehicles are also great for the environment, lowering fuel emissions and thus combating air pollution in Perth.
And you don’t have to opt for a fully electric vehicle either if you’d rather invest in a hybrid. Even semi-electric vehicles also enhance energy efficiency and maintain fuel supplies for longer.
The Western Australian government has also rolled out various rebates to encourage families to swap out their traditional combustion engine vehicles for EVs. The State Government’s Clean Energy Future Fund is supporting the rollout of EV infrastructure statewide, from the suburbs of Perth all the way to the main streets in Fremantle, Margaret River, and other tourist hotspots across WA. So if the only barrier to EV investing for your family is how your lithium battery capacity may affect your next road trip, chances are there are already plenty of charging stations available along the way – and with more to come.
Plant your own Veggie Patch
Another great way to live more sustainably is by creating your own veggie patch at home. You can make the most of Western Australia’s Mediterranean climate by planting seasonal vegetables that thrive in a drier environment.
Carrots and celery will do well in the cooler autumn months, while summer presents the ideal setting to grow your own lettuce, capsicums, cucumbers, and pumpkins. Not only will starting your own veggie patch help you save money on your weekly shop, but you can also provide a wholesome learning opportunity for your kids and help them develop an interest in gardening and sustainable living.
Caring for your own patch of vegetables at home is a great way to live more eco-friendly and spend more time outdoors together. And it tastes good, too!
Pro tip: You can be water smart, too, by committing to use rainwater or runoff water from your kitchen and bathroom to feed your plants.
Opt for Sustainable Furniture
Did you know that Australia produces 30,000 tonnes of commercial furniture waste annually? Flat-pack furniture made from composite wood materials is also notoriously difficult to recycle thanks to bonding materials like formaldehyde resin. Add to this the fact that these low-cost furnishings are more likely to experience excess wear and tear over time and need replacing, and the so-called savings really do start to disappear.
This is also why thrifting for quality secondhand furniture is gaining in popularity, with more families opting for furnishings and decor made from solid wood and other organic materials. There are also plenty of local furniture makers working with ethically sourced Australian timber materials, ensuring that you and your family support Australian-made furnishings that not only look stunning but are also built to last.
Visit Eco-Friendly Attractions
Finally, if you’ve lived in Perth for some time, you’ll know that there are plenty of eco-friendly attractions across the city that you and your family can enjoy. For instance, attractions like Rottnest Island, Kings Park, and the Botanic Gardens focus on local conservation efforts that recognise green diversity across Western Australia.
And if your family has quickly developed their green thumbs through tending to their veggie patches, you may even try passing your time on a weekend by visiting local plant nurseries. Much like visiting the Botanic Gardens, this can be a great way to introduce your kids to new kinds of plants that they may even like to start growing at home. Be sure to speak to them about the ecological benefits of cultivating bird- and bee-attracting plants in particular.
Make Your Perth Home Greener
The trick to adopting more eco tips in our daily lives is to find joy in the small steps we can take. Soon, we can all be practising these habits without reminders, as they become a part of our lifestyle.
We can all do our part to keep Perth green, even with minimal lifestyle changes! Whether by installing solar water heaters, cutting down on our fuel emissions, or even just supporting eco-friendly activities and attractions, you and your family can live sustainably and maybe even clean up Perth a little bit along the way too.
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