low-emissions housing options by providing a case-book of evidence on household budget level impacts, in terms of monthly cash flows, of improved housing performance

Sustainability literature highlights the potential of the residential sector to contribute to significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions. In this context, recent housing policies, not only in Australia but internationally, have addressed the implementation of minimum energy efficient housing standards. Recent UK, European and USA policy articulates a goal of zero emission housing by 2020. In Australia, while research has indicated that the introduction of the ‘5 stars’ mandatory building envelope performance standard has resulted in a 20% increase in energy efficiency over pre 5 star homes, housing energy efficiency remains a contested policy area. The costs and benefits of more energy efficient housing are frequently argued in terms of a trade off between sustainability and affordability, and debate is focused particularly on upfront capital costs. There is a lack of clear cost benefit information on the impact of higher energy efficiency standards, and similarly on the impacts of integrating renewable energy strategies with energy efficiency strategies. Furthermore, actual impacts at the household cash-flow level have not been studied. This research therefore investigates the lifetime economic and environmental costs and benefits of improved sustainable housing options, including renewable energy options. Analysis focuses on four scenarios of improved housing performance for current and typical housing types in Melbourne, Australia. Research outputs seek to inform current debates surrounding low-emissions housing options by providing a case-book of evidence on household budget level impacts, in terms of monthly cash flows, of improved housing performance options.