Renew Toowoomba Branch

26/04/2026

Curious about making your home all-electric to save money?

Renew is hosting an online workshop on how to switch to an all-electric lifestyle.

Whether you're just starting your research, or you're ready to get your home and wheels off gas, these workshops have got you covered.

Experts include
- Travis Gribbon, Head of Electrification at ZECO Energy and one of Australia's leading voices in whole-home electrification and residential battery adoption
- Matthew Wright, early electrification advocate and founder of Pure Electric
- Tim Eden, writer for EV-focused The Driven website

There will be the opportunity to ask experts all of your charged questions directly in online break-out rooms.

This event will not be recorded for later viewing, so be sure to book tickets so you don't miss out.

Wednesday 29 April, 7-8.30pm AEST.
Register at (Free for Renew members, $20 for non-members)
https://renewportal.org.au/civicrm/mailing/url/?u=3819&qid=2065732

08/04/2026

See a free online “tour” of a sustainable Toowoomba house 🏡

https://sustainablehouseday.com/homes/renovated-1950s-timber-house

Or other sustainable homes 🏡
https://sustainablehouseday.com

This timber frame house was built in the late 1950s, and one family lived in it until we purchased it almost 10 years ago. A timber house captures carbon emissions, with the carbon that was captured by the living tree not released until the house burns down or rots. We pulled out the interior wall [...

04/03/2026

On one day in May, thousands of people across the country open their doors to their neighbours, sharing what they’ve learned about making homes climate ready and more comfortable and affordable.

From beautifully designed architectural homes to clever retrofits, efficient apartments and all-electric renovations, this is about real people sharing practical solutions that work.

Will you join the Toowoomba resident who has signed up this year? (https://archive.sustainablehouseday.com/listing/renovated-1960s-house)

The homes involved are incredibly varied:
• thoughtful retrofits
• all-electric upgrades
• passive solar homes
• efficient apartments
• low-impact material renovations
• climate-resilient rebuilds
• architect-designed sustainable homes
• homes just starting their sustainability journey

Find out more about Sustainable House Day on 17 May at www.sustainablehouseday.com

04/03/2026

Does your home have sustainable features?
Are you a sustainable builder or renovator based in Toowoomba region?

You can showcase your house for Sustainable House Day in May - either as an online tour or an in-person tour 🏠

Learn how at https://sustainablehouseday.com

See an example from last year of a renovated timber cottage in Newtown: https://archive.sustainablehouseday.com/listing/renovated-1960s-house

13/02/2026

Does your home have a story to tell? We'd love you to join us on Sunday May 17 as homes all over Australia throw open their doors. Applications are now open for anyone to showcase their sustainable home at sustainablehouseday.com

Sustainable House Day is back on Sunday 17 May 2026 — and we’ve launched a brand new website to match.
Explore real homes, practical solutions, and stories from people across the country, all in one refreshed space designed to make it easier to take your next step toward a more comfortable, affordable and climate-ready home.
Take a look and start exploring: www.sustainablehouseday.com

04/02/2026

Building or extending?

Local builders Flair Built Homes share three building materials that are both cost-effective AND sustainable: recycled steel, bamboo and plant-based (!) polyurethane rigid foam

www.facebook.com/share/p/1Lyo3aWuGA

💚💰 Sustainable Building Materials That ALSO Save MONEY 💰💚

Did you know?
Studies show that 81% of people globally feel strongly that companies should help improve the environment.

There are so many building materials that are both cost-effective and sustainable 🍀

Here are a couple to consider when building or renovating your home!

RECYCLED STEEL ♻️
Between 2016 and 2017, Australia recycled 5 million tonnes of metal waste, reaching a 90% recovery rate, which is a 4% increase from 2014. Since steel is super eco-friendly, choosing it over other materials is an easy way to shrink your carbon footprint.

BAMBOO 🐼
Bamboo isn’t new to construction, it’s been used for centuries! But as the world turns back to more eco-friendly materials, bamboo’s popularity is booming. It grows incredibly fast (up to 91 cm a day), regenerates on its own, is super strong and durable, and is lighter to transport than timber or concrete.

PLANT-BASED POLYURETHANE RIGID FOAM 🌱
Plant-based polyurethane rigid foam is the eco-friendly upgrade to traditional rigid foam insulation. The old version used CFCs, which harm the ozone, but this one’s made from bamboo, h**p, and kelp instead. It’s durable, resists mould and pests, and keeps homes well insulated so less energy goes to heating and cooling.

Have you considered sustainability in your build? Is it something you are passionate about? 💚

31/01/2026

Did you know? Buildings and construction are responsible for around 39% of global emissions and 39% of waste in Australia!

About 28% of global emissions comes from how houses are run (such as how they are heated, and other energy they use), and around 11% from construction processes and embodied emissions in materials chosen materials (for example, cement and bricks have a lot of embodied energy from heat used in their production).

Ways to reduce emissions from construction include
Use better building materials such as reclaimed wood, bamboo, recycled steel, carbon-capturing concrete, and low-emission insulation
Implementing robust recycling for waste materials and reusing on-site materials
Builders using renewable energy and energy-efficient machinery and vehicles to reduce fuel consumption.

https://www.inauro.io/how-to-reduce-carbon-emissions-in-construction

Learn how to reduce carbon emissions in construction. Improve efficiencies, comply with regulations and achieve sustainability goals with our solutions.

25/01/2026

Tips for a cool house during a heat wave without air conditioning

When the summer weather heats up, turning on the air-conditioner means spending more on energy bills. This guide has nine ways for you to cool your home and minimize your use of air conditioning.

18/11/2025

Toowoomba Region homes have very high uptake of solar - a great way to save on electricity bills

Examining the evidence on Australian electricity prices - the path to reducing energy costs is to support more people to get access to rooftop and - full article https://ow.ly/OGLc50XsxuC

12/10/2025

Would your community group's members benefit from help to reduce their electricity bills? (and emissions!)

Until the end of the year East Creek Community Centre can come to your group and help members choose a better electricity tariff, save money on bills, and stay cool this summer - cost effectively!

Call Wendy at the Centre at 0746 392 755 for details

www.qcoss.org.au/project/energy-and-water

09/10/2025

Almost 1/3 of household energy use is in heating water! Instantly reduce your emissions and save $$ on bills when you switch from gas to a highly efficient heat pump

💧 Hot water the smart way — perfect for Darling Downs homes! 🌾

The Solahart Atmos® 270HAV Heat Pump is built for regional Aussie conditions like ours. Instead of relying on the sun or expensive electricity, it uses heat from the air to efficiently heat your water — even on those chilly Toowoomba mornings. ❄️☀️

Whether you're in town or on a property, this system is a game-changer for lowering energy bills and boosting sustainability. Plus, it's eligible for government incentives!

✅ Built for Aussie conditions
✅ Energy efficient & whisper quiet
✅ Great for homes across the Darling Downs

Take control of your hot water and energy use — book your free enquiry today! 👉https://www.solahartdd.com.au/get-a-quote/