Home Sustainability Assessments
The best known definition of sustainability or sustainable development is the definition by the World Commission on Environment and Development. This suggests that sustainability is defined as:
… forms of progress that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Environmental sustainability refers to the environmental actions or impacts of what we do. In moving towards sustainability, we are attempting to reduce our ‘ecological footprint’ or to ‘tread more lightly’ on the earth. This equates to reducing the amount of resources we use (and buy), the waste we produce and the emissions we produce.
Home sustainability assessments are a great opportunity to engage the general public in the broad principles of sustainability and to encourage them to adopt these principles in their daily lives. A trained assessor visits a household and undertakes an assessment on energy and water use, the type and amount of waste generated and recycling and gardening practices. During the assessment, the assessor will look around the home and ask questions to evaluate the current consumption of the household and recommend simple and cost effective changes to the lifestyle of the individual/family.
Home sustainability audits and assessments vary according to the needs of the householder, the cost they are willing to pay and the knowledge and expertise of the assessor. Some audits or assessments for example cover only one particular area such as energy or water. The level of consultation, time spent at the home and detail of advice given also varies and therefore the cost applicable.
Why use Home Sustainability Assessors?
Increasing numbers of households are now seeking a service that identifies how they can best reduce their energy and water use and develop sustainable living practices. This may be as simple as improving lighting and water use in the home, to changing the way they use appliances, to installing solar panels and rainwater tanks.
Accredited Home Sustainability Assessors will provide households with the confidence that they will receive accurate, effective and impartial advice when they engage a trained service provider.
The typical Home Sustainability Assessment can look at General Household information and details of the home. Energy usage-heating and cooling and appliances. Aspects of “Green Living” – Waste, transport, lighting and insulation. Water usage in and outside the home and gardening activities. A summary of the assessment is given in a report with recommendations of actions in an order of priority.
