Homeowners and builders can now create and enjoy more climate-friendly homes thanks to the launch of the MOTIIVES tool?a cutting-edge, simple online assessment tool designed to guide environmentally-sustainable home design.
Developed by Deakin University and Geelong Sustainability, and funded by the City of Greater Geelong through the Climate Change Partnership Grants program, the MOTIIVES tool offers easy, step-by-step guidance on building and retrofitting homes for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
MOTIIVES (Materials, Orientation, Thermal mass, Internal room placement, Insulation, Ventilation, Energy efficiency, and Smaller size) comprises eight video modules that offer practical, actionable advice to help homes become more climate-friendly and comfortable, cheaper to run, and increase in value. The tool presents options to help homeowners and builders to design, retrofit, redesign and renovate buildings that can passively hold a comfortable temperature without the need for heating and cooling ? such as north-facing living areas that use the sun for warmth and better window and door seals that prevent cold air from entering.
Deakin University Lecturer in Property, Real Estate, and Sustainable Building, Tom Keel, and Associate Professor Ameeta Jain developed the MOTIIVES tool in conjunction with Geelong Sustainability, with Mr Keel saying there is an urgent need for more environmentally-friendly home design and retrofitting to create a climate-safe fu...