IN THIS ISSUE

SPECIAL OFFER SEPT 2002

ECO EVENTS

Cool Communities Program

1. Interested in reducing your home energy bills
2. Want to do something abut climate change and
3. Live in the Leichhardt municipality

The NCC would like to hear from you. The Cool Communities project will run workshops with community groups, but individual households are welcome to join in also. 

Contact: Felicity Calvert
Tel: (02) 9279 2466
greenhouse@nccnsw.org.au

Handy Hints for the Home

• Turn off lights when not being used
• Do not leave outdoor lights on all night or during the day - consider using timers or sensors
• Avoid using down-lights
• Keep doors closed when trying to heat a room
• Install thick curtains over your windows to reduce heat loss

Calculate Your 
Ecological Footprint

How much land 
& water do you need?

The average Ecological Footprint in Australia is 7.6 global hectares per person. Worldwide, there exists 1.8 biologically productive global hectares per person.

Ever wondered how much "nature" your lifestyle requires? Click here to complete a short Ecological Footprint Quiz to estimate how much productive land and water you need to support what you use and what you discard.

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Watch This Space

First Eco Shop Opening Soon!

Ecological Homes plans to open its first retail shop in Sydney in early November.

Organic T-Shirts On the Way!

A range of eco t-shirts made from organically grown cotton are currently being designed and will be released soon.

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CONTACT

Ecological Homes Pty Ltd
PO Box 2504
Strawberry Hills
NSW Australia 2012
Phone: 1300 73 07 07
Fax: (+61 2) 9699 3478
twalsh@ecologicalhomes.com.au
www.ecologicalhomes.com.au

FEEDBACK & ADVERTISING

Do you have a story or feedback  
for the next issue? 
Let us know

Advertisers welcome  
for the next issue. 
Contact us for a rate card

© Copyright 2002 Ecological Homes Pty Ltd (ABN 71 002 980 047)

Vol 1 (Issue 4) - September 2002

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the 4th edition of EcoNews. Our readership continues to grow strongly highlighting the tremendous public interest there is in sustainable housing! As always, we welcome your thoughts and feedback on the newsletter and stories related to the environment. The deadline for contributions to the October issue is 30th September, 2002.

Story #1: The Earth Summit - A Bitter Disappointment 

Sign the Kyoto Agreement Please Mr. Howard!

Environmental organisations appear unanimous in their conclusion that the outcome of the Earth Summit held recently in Johannesburg, South Africa, was a bitter disappointment. The agreements reached offer little to protect the poor and the environment. Australia's performance, under the helm of Howard, continues to be a source of major international embarrassment. 

Click here for more depressing details on the outcome of the Earth Summit. For a thorough analysis of the current state of the world environment visit the following website:

Australian Academy of Science – Transition to Sustainability Canberra, 3 May 2002 (Symposium Proceedings) 

In the face of this poor leadership from our elected political representatives, average Australian households are leading the way by installing sustainable technologies like solar power and solar hot water. 

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Story #2: Water Your Garden With Your Car's Exhaust!

Fill It Up - With Water?!

The common car is responsible for about 70-90% of atmospheric pollution and 14% of total greenhouse emissions in Australia. This is largely because it uses an incredibly inefficient method (the internal combustion engine) to provide its power. Only 13% of the energy produced by the engine is used in forward motion - 62% of the energy is wasted because the engine has to be powerful enough to cope with maximum demand even though this is required for only a very small proportion of the vehicle's operating time. 

On top of this huge environmental cost is the economic cost. Petrol is becoming an increasingly scarce and expensive resource resulting a mode of personal transport that is not only very expensive but highly polluting too.

All this is set to change with the emergence of hybrid energy cars and hydrogen-based (fuel cell) cars. Several hybrid energy models now exist on the market including the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight (both hybrid energy cars) and several leading car manufacturers are planning to release hydrogen based cars in the coming years including BMW - instead of emitting harmful CO2 these fuel cell cars will emit water. Click here for more details.

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Story #3: Heat Your Pool With Thin Air!

Quantum Releases New Pool Heaters

We are continually amazed with Quantum's fantastic heat pump based hot water systems. Last month you will recall that we mentioned they had increased the efficiency of their hot water systems by 20% via a new Ozone-friendly refrigerant. In addition, Quantum is an Australian-based company which designs and manufacturers here in Australia. 

Now Quantum have released a range of highly efficient and cost effective pool heaters. 
The installed cost of a quantum pool heater is not much more than an electric or gas pool heater but, as illustrated in the table below, it has substantially lower operating costs. In addition, it is much better for the environment due to the lower amounts of energy required to operate the system.

Note: Based on pool size 7 x 3 m by 1.2 m deep; Av. Pool Temp is 26 degrees Celsius; Pool covered when not in use; Sydney average temperatures and pricing. 

Contact us today to see how you can start saving on your pool heating costs with a Quantum Pool Heater.

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Story #4: Hazelbrook Gardens - Our First Eco Village 

"Hazelbrook Gardens" Begins to Grow

Plans are well underway for our first Eco Village development, Hazelbrook Gardens, a series of 9 beautiful and highly energy efficient eco houses to be built in Hazelbrook (the "Jewel of the Blue Mountains"). The homes will be designed by David Baggs, one of Australia's leading eco architects.

These 3-4 bedroom homes will incorporate the best of sustainable housing technology and design elements and will be located within a private sanctuary of 11.5 acres of beautiful native bush and landscaped gardens.

Demand for these properties is already high, so register your interest today for a home in this magical place!     

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Investment Opportunities

Worried About the Performance of Your Current Investments or Superannuation? 

If you have money invested in shares or have a super fund with a large share-based investment component, you will probably have lost a substantial amount of money in the past 12 months. 

Ecological Homes has a number of investment opportunities available for astute investors seeking secure, high returns for eco property-based developments that we have planned in several locations throughout Australia.

Contact our Managing Director, Mr. Lewis Hiley, for a more information on these investment opportunities. 

Tel: (02) 9500 7499 
Email: lhiley@ecologicalhomes.com.au

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Best Home Loan Rates

Best Fixed & Variable Rates

Following is a list of the best fixed rates currently available and that Lender's best variable rate for comparison (as at 1st September 2002).

Request a Free Home Loan Consultation

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