Simple solutions to make your home ready to market to sustainability-focused customers.

Sustainability is a keyword for anyone who wants to do business today. If their corporate structure does not include available documentation on their responsible and sustainable efforts, many people will not patronise the stores or online shopping of a given entity. It is good to use your buying power to urge a more environmentally focused industry sector and see responsible changes.

How is your carbon footprint? How is the sustainability of your home? We can not replace our heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems with low impact on our accounts, but they will reduce our impact on the world around us. Start simply by cleaning and servicing the system you have so it runs as smoothly as designed for the best economy.

I know fuel efficiency hits you at the petrol pump, but how is your car choice hitting the environment? Buying a newer, more efficient ute for a few litres per kilometre is not in everyone’s financial capacity, whether they are concerned or not. Start simply by replacing the fuel, air, and oil filters, and it will run as designed. Check your tire pressure and wear.

What other changes can be made to be more sustainable that are within your budget, and start with simplicity? How we use the “green space” or open spaces of our property can help to keep our homes more efficient by using nature’s help. A properly placed lawn equipment shed can defend a sun-exposed wall, reducing the effort your HVAC system has to exert. A carport might offer the same help on a larger scale.

You could also plant some new native shrubs or trees to control the temperature of the area around your home. Could you take any cuttings from healthy trees or shrubs you already have? I would like a triple-layer canopy, please, to keep my house cold. Before you go on a tree-planting rampage, do some garden layout planning. Your yard will serve as a kids’ and adults’ play space for years. Plant accordingly.

Speaking of landscaping and lawn care, what types of chemicals are you using, if any? Is there a natural solution to what you are treating chemically? Have you noticed that “green” or natural lawn care products are more expensive? I am not sure why, because I have used white vinegar, salt, and water to great effect as a weed killer.

If each property were designed with adequate water absorption, reducing runoff, seasonal rains could be easier to handle. Using plants indigenous to your state and territory ensures healthy, long-lasting results. In fire-prone regions, those plants should be spread out and located away from any structures. Have a read on your local government website for more sensible recommendations like these.

Other than living in caves and being hunter-gatherers without modern amenities of any type, we have to find a balance to pass a legacy of a healthy world to our children and beyond. What are you willing to change?