Here's what housing sustainability looks like in 2030 according to the experts

Wondering what homes will look like in the not-so-distant future, as far as sustainability is concerned?

Experts say energy in the home will likely look quite different in a few years’ time: cleaner and much smarter.

Daniel Sue from national energy provider Origin, which has ambitions to lead the change towards cleaner energy in Aussie homes, gives a few fascinating insights on what we can expect.

Homes will rely on cleaner energy sources
By 2030, housing sustainability will be mostly centred around the use of cleaner energy sources, Sue says.

Solar is the most popular type of renewable energy in Australia, delivered through solar panels that power the home. But other emerging sources include wind, hydroelectricity and geothermal (where the temperature of the ground can heat or cool the home).

He adds that solar battery technology will further fuel the adoption of clean energy sources. Batteries are capable of storing excess energy harvested from solar panels to be used when there’s insufficient sunlight (in other words, at night or on overcast days).

They can also deliver clean energy to homes that aren’t set up with their own solar panels.

“It is important that cleaner energy technologies are available to all Australians,” says Sue. “We have community batteries where eligible residents can rent a share of the battery, virtually storing and accessing locally generated solar energy.

The stored energy can be used during times of high-demand (or peak periods), helping to reduce pressure on the energy grid and reducing peak-hour energy costs.

This technology is allowing residents without rooftop solar the opportunity to tap into renewable energy. It’s a win-win scenario, helping to bring down the electricity bills and carbon footprint of participants”.

Energy usage will become smarter
Making your home more sustainable is largely about reducing your carbon footprint, so it’s little surprise that sustainable homes will aim to curb their energy usage.

While there are already simple ways to save energy in the home – like turning off appliances when not in use and taking shorter showers – energy-saving methods will be more sophisticated by 2030.

Tactics include setting up passive heating and cooling systems, which use design and construction principles like aspect, insulation and glazing to heat and cool the home, and employing smart building materials that regulate heat and lower energy loss.

Another approach is to install tools like smart thermostats that adjust temperature settings based on environmental conditions and personal usage.

“We help customers understand the energy demands in their homes, and we provide energy-saving tips and advice – like how to draught-proof their homes and what appliances use the most energy and how to reduce their usage,” says Sue.

In a broader sense, it could also be about homes working together to create a shared energy network. In fact, Origin already has a clever platform that lets Australian households do exactly that.

“We have Origin Loop, which helps customers manage energy demand in their homes and to use energy when it’s most available,” he says.

Origin Loop is an AI-driven platform designed to optimise household energy use by analysing data, energy supply, and weather patterns. It reduces energy costs by utilising more renewable sources when available and maximises returns on energy exported back to the grid from solar panels or batteries. This results in greater value for customers, a more balanced grid, and a sustainable energy solution for the community.

Homes will be EV equipped
Electric vehicles may not be the dominant type of vehicle yet, but that could very well change.

Sales are already increasing exponentially, and by 2030, several states and territories across Australia are aiming to have a large proportion of new car sales made up of zero emissions vehicles. The ACT, for example, is working towards a target of 80-90% electric vehicle sales.

To meet this increase, EV chargers could become standard additions in Aussie homes. And this doesn’t just apply to freestanding houses with their own garages; apartment and townhouse complexes will benefit too.

“We help apartments set up electric vehicle chargers in their buildings for all their residents to use,” Sue says.

If you’re going to make the switch to an EV and plan to charge it at home, now is the time to start thinking about finding the right cost effective charging solution to avoid electricity bill shock.

Origin is launching a dedicated EV charging solution called Origin EV Power Up designed to take the complexity out of finding a low-cost and flexible energy solution for EV owners.

With Origin EV Power Up, they’re breaking new ground as the first energy retailer in Australia to allow scheduled EV charging in their app with access to a tailor-made, super low 8c/kWh rate at any time during your schedule, regardless of what energy plan you’re on.

That could mean less than $5 for a full charge* and up to $574 in annual savings^ compared to a standard home charging electricity rate.

It works by finding low-cost energy for EV charging, like when there is excess solar during the day or when demand is low overnight, and avoids charging during peak demand times, when energy is usually at its most expensive.

Appliances will play a huge role
Smart devices and appliances are becoming more and more popular – think smart thermostats, smart lighting, automated sprinkler systems and robotic vacuums.

Many of these tech tools are designed to make home life easier and more efficient. But several have the added advantage of helping to save energy by allowing users to monitor their power usage and program their devices to only operate at certain times.

In 2030, smart appliances will likely be even more advanced. They may include smart windows that have sensors and can modify shading throughout the day to reduce reliance on lighting and heating; smart heating and cooling that automatically adjusts, according to outside temps; and motion-detector lighting that turns on and off when someone enters or exits the room.

Sue appliances could curb energy usage by “learning to prioritise”.

“Homes and appliances will be smarter and to know when is the best time to use energy,” he says.

“For example, when customers are cooking with their induction stoves, their electric vehicles will stop charging temporarily until they finish cooking.”

(Source: Realestate.com.au)