Live Green House Opens Tomorrow At Taylor Square

Live Green House Opens Tomorrow at Taylor Square

Sydney's newest and greenest house is being built today on Oxford St, Darlinghurst as part of the City of Sydney's Art & About Festival.

The Live Green House will officially open tomorrow, October 15 and run for four days until Sunday 18 October showcasing the latest practical information on sustainable living including vertical walls, a green roof dog kennel, bamboo bicycles, cooling paint, self-cleaning concrete pavers and solar power.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said the Live Green House is about providing a one-stop-shop for people looking for the latest information on sustainable design.

"Visitors to the house will be able to talk to sustainability experts and see practical examples of sustainable living for every room in the house from the bathroom to the kitchen and even the balcony."

There'll also be a range of products on display from leading designers showcasing reusable design including chairs made from road signs, recycled kinetic jewellery, fold-away beds, lights made from recycled plastic bags, milk bottle stools and bags made from juice containers.

Visitors to the Live Green House will be able to speak with the architect of the House, Martin Urakawa from Archology, and take away ideas for reducing the environmental footprint of their home including how to save money on water and energy bills and create balcony gardens and green spaces.

Find out all you need to know about government rebates for rainwater tanks, solar hot water and electricity, and insulation, and see the latest sustainable products everything from building materials, to appliances, plates, bed linen and computers.

The City of Sydney produced arts festival, Art & About, brings stimulating and engaging art and events to Sydney residents and visitors from 1- 25 October 2009.

Art & About is part of Crave Sydney, a major celebration of Sydney's unmatched way of life, offering 31 days of food, outdoor art and fun. Art & About is one of seven events in Crave Sydney. Other events include Sydney International Food Festival, Darling Harbour Fiesta, Sydney Harbour Island Hopping, World's Funniest Island, Seven Bridges Walk and Breakfast on the Bridge. Full program details and speaker times are available on the Art & About 09 website at www.artandabout.com.au/livegreen or call (02) 9265-9333. To plan your Crave Sydney experience visit www.cravesydney.com

The Live Green House is sponsored by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water who provide a residential rebate program - further details can be found at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates .

Top tips to Live Green at your house

* Recycle kitchen scraps using a worm farm, compost bin or a Bokashi Bucket.

* Check your taps - a dripping tap can waste more than 2,000 litres of water a month.

* Installing a AAA efficient showerhead and taking shorter showers can reduce your energy bill by up to $100 a year and save 750kg of greenhouse gas emissions.

* Avoid unnecessary product packaging, reuse where possible and aim for zero waste.

* Every degree warmer or cooler you make your home can add around 10% to your electricity bill. Learn how sustainable design can keep your home comfortable year-round and save you money.

* Energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs or LED globes are around 80% cheaper to run and last up to 15 times longer than incandescent globes. Change your globes and save money.

* A halogen down light can burn up to 65 watts and cost more than $10 a year. If you have 20 that's 1300 watts or $200! Swap your globes to save.

* The average home has 10 appliances in stand-by mode adding around 10% to your electricity bill, turn them off and save more than $100 a year.

* An old 3-star rated 400L fridge will add $230 a year to your electricity bill. A 400L fridge with a maximum 6-star energy rating can cost as little as $40 a year to run.

* A water-efficient washing machine uses around a third less water. If you purchase a water- efficient washing machine you'll receive a $150 Sydney Water rebate.

* Even in the smallest urban space you can grow edible plants, fit solar-powered lights, collect water, compost waste and add a bit of green.

MEDIA CONTACT

For more information about the Live Green House, including photos and interviews contact Josh MacKenzie, City of Sydney, (02) 9265-9082, 0402 351 459 or [email protected]

Art & About is proudly sponsored by Strategic Partner Events NSW, Major Sponsor AMP Capital Investors, and Media Partner The Sydney Morning Herald.


SOURCE: City of Sydney