RAINWATER CATCHMENT

A concern was that water (from the catchment) cannot be used to wash the car or water the plants due to the need to put chlorine in the tank to prevent algae. I found a special tank in Australia where what goes into the tank is exactly what comes out of it. It was around $1,000 (not including installation costs) compared to the $60,000 which a contractor quoted me.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

We’re using thermal, which is far cheaper than solar. (There are) panels on our roof, but instead of using sunlight, we are using heat from the atmosphere to heat our water for showering. After all, we’re in the tropics.

ECO-FRIENDLY LED LIGHTS

It’s a little more expensive but in the long run, they are one of the most energy-efficient light sources currently available.

NEW TECHNOLOGY

I am looking into getting Hyper Floor - it’s an Australian technology from a Malaysian company, where it polishes a special mix of concrete ... On top of that, the sealants in this floor can breathe, which in turn lowers the temperature of the house (reducing the need for air-conditioning).

CHEMICAL REDUCTION

The exterior of the house is cement - that’s it. Paint contains VOC (volatile organic compound); that’s toxic and bad for health. Also, you save money to fund the other eco-friendly things for the rest of the house.

We’re using a termite solution called Termimesh - it doesn’t have any of the poison that’s used in most termite solutions, which seeps out of the ground around the house and (come into contact with) the children.

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