A bold, experimental new-build Earthship in Cygnet, Tasmania, designed for extreme sustainability; an award-winning retrofit of a 1986 mudbrick and recycled timber home located in Mylor, Adelaide Hills; and a compact sustainable apartment from North Melbourne incorporating rooftop gardens, energy-efficient design, cross-ventilation and all-electric systems are some of the homes participating in Sustainable House Day this year.

Every year, Sustainable House Day celebrates climate-smart living by inviting homeowners and renters in Australia to open their doors and showcase practical and affordable solutions that make homes – across new builds, rebuilds and retrofits – sustainable, energy-efficient and climate-resilient.

Hosted by not-for-profit organisation Renew, Sustainable House Day 2026 returns on Sunday 17 May, with this year’s theme centred on practical upgrades that reduce energy bills, resilient design to withstand climate change, affordable retrofits, and smart improvements by renters for more energy efficiency.

Passive Prefab Studio.jpg — *Passive Prefab Studio | Glendale NSW | Tiny Home - Transportable | Studio Dot Architecture & Interiors | Sustainable House Day 2025*

The 2025 edition saw participation by more than 240 homes nationwide, including over 150 in-person open homes, with truly inspirational outcomes: At least 70% of attendees said they planned to make changes to their own homes within six months of visiting.

This year’s event will feature families who have transitioned to fully electric homes, renters adopting clever, low-cost strategies to cut energy bills, and residents rebuilding after fire or flood who can share how smart design has strengthened climate resilience and provided peace of mind.

Showcasing everything from architect-designed eco homes to carefully retrofitted weatherboard houses with high-performance insulation and considered design solutions, Sustainable House Day 2026 will demonstrate that practical, climate-conscious living is achievable nationwide.

The neighbour-to-neighbour model is what makes the event so powerful, observes Renew CEO Helen Oakey. “This approach works because it’s rooted in trust and lived experience. When someone in your own community shows you what they’ve done, what worked, what didn't, and what it cost, it suddenly feels possible. That’s where real change begins.”

The residential sector is responsible for roughly 24% of Australia’s electricity consumption and more than 10% of total carbon emissions. Yet, households are also driving one of the world’s fastest clean energy transitions: More than 4.2 million rooftop solar systems have been installed across the country, with nearly 40% of homes now producing their own electricity.

Rooftop solar contributes over a tenth of Australia’s power supply, helping to relieve pressure on both household energy costs and the grid. Meanwhile, the uptake of battery storage is accelerating, with more than 450,000 systems installed as homeowners pursue greater energy security and lower bills.

However, solar panels and batteries represent only part of the story. Sustainable House Day highlights the broader measures Australians are embracing – from improved insulation and passive design strategies to full electrification and rebuilding homes to better withstand floods and fires.

Off Grid FZ House.jpg — *Off Grid FZ House | Megalong Valley NSW | Standalone House - Bushfire Resilience | Anderson Architecture | Sustainable House Day 2025*

Alongside open homes, Sustainable House Day will also feature several partner events, from eco-village tours and expert panels to workshops and local information sessions, creating spaces for communities to connect and explore solutions together.

“Everyone deserves a home that is comfortable, safe and energy efficient,” notes Oakey. “Too many Australians are living in homes that are hard to heat in winter, challenging to keep cool in summer, and expensive to run. And as climate change drives more extreme weather patterns, Australian homes need to be not just more sustainable but also more resilient to heat, wind, floods and smoke.”

Sustainable House Day reminds us that climate action starts in our living rooms, kitchens and on our rooftops, continues, Oakey. “When neighbours open their doors, they open up questions, discussions, and sharing. And that’s a powerful way to drive change and build understanding of what's possible.”

Call for applications

If you’ve upgraded your home, installed solar or batteries, or built a sustainable home from the ground up, this could be the year to open your doors and share your journey with your community.

Applications to open your home close Wednesday 11 March.

Find out more at www.sustainablehouseday.com.

Main image: Backyard Retreat | Mullumbimby NSW | Standalone House - Flood Resilience | Brently Reid - EcoSphere Design | Sustainable House Day 2025

All images sourced from www.sustainablehouseday.com.

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