australian environment friendly homes?

Question

i live in Australia and need help with some questions.
How much green house gases are produced annually from a a standard home, what types of energy are used to power the average family home. What types of alternative energy are currently available for new homes in Australia.?

Answer 1

In Australia most electricity comes from coal burning with some methane burning and hydroelectricity thrown in there (none of which are really very good for the environment). There also isn't anything actually being done to replace coal (I'll change my mind when Australia orders a nuclear power plant) but there is a lot being done to fool people into thinking that coal is being replace (i.e. all that almost useless wind turbines sprouting up over the place that need fossil fuels anyway).

In terms of alternative energy for new homes you could put solar panels on your roof (at a cost) and if you have the land (and are willing to live with the noise) putting up a windmill might be an option (though not an option if you're in the suburbs). Solar hot water is probably going to be cost effective enough not to need any environmental benefits.

I wouldn't pay extra for my electricity, no matter what the ads about Greenpower say (although what they don't say is more interesting than what they do).