More than 200 Australian homes will be put on display for Sustainable House Day on Sunday 4 May. The annual event run by Renew, a non-profit climate and energy resilience organisation, is a celebration of sustainable living, showcasing some of Australia’s most inspiring and energy efficient housing.

This year’s event will focus on climate-smart living, clever and stylish retrofits, and practical designs and solutions to improve efficiency and reduce emissions and costs. 

A national movement grounded in local communities 

Across the country homeowners will offer in-person and virtual tours, giving communities the chance to learn about sustainable living firsthand from their neighbours.

“When people see what’s possible in their own community, they’re more likely to act – and that’s where real change begins,” says Renew CEO Helen Oakey.

Lewin Home. Photo: Carla Atley

The day will also allow visitors to see a diverse range of properties, from a coastal property that saves $5500 per year through reducing CO2 emissions, to a bushfire and snow resilient home hidden in the Blue Mountains.

Visitors can also expect to see a display of ingenuity with electric vehicles (EVs) featured at select homes this year, owing to a new partnership with the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA). 

Homeowners and EV drivers will share how they’re ‘running their cars off the sun’ and integrating vehicles into all-electric household systems.

Oakey says she is excited this year to be partnering with councils and other community groups to bring a really exciting experience to those who are visiting open homes. 

“Councils have great resources to support households with sustainability, and the local community is rich with knowledge and networks,” she says.

The impact of sustainable house day 

Homes account for over half of built environment emissions and roughly 24 percent of electricity use nationwide, according to Renew. With poorly performing buildings driving up bills, emissions and pressure on the energy grid.

These property viewings aim to empower householders to take practical climate action at home, and to demystify sustainability, electrification and retrofitting through real-life examples.

French’s Forest Energy Positive House. Photo: supplied

Australia is leading the way with 4 million rooftop solar systems installed across the country and 1 in 3 Australian homes using solar power. But Renew believes there’s more work to be done, and Sustainable House Day shows how people are taking that next step. 

Oakey is calling on governments to support large-scale retrofitting, energy-efficient appliances and transitioning homes off gas.  

“Sustainable House Day is a perfect way to start your own sustainability journey while we wait for all governments to get on board with the clean energy transition we need for a safer climate,” she says.

Waramanga Rammed Earth House. Photo: Neil Fenelon

“Every house, every conversation builds a movement of people who are making the clean energy transition happen in their own homes and communities. It’s powerful, community-driven grass roots change, and it’s spreading fast.” 

All featured homes are available to view here, where you can search by map, state or category. 

Lead image: Case study example of Off Grid FZ House. Photo: Australian Architecture Association (AAA), Lachlan Kain.

Related: Meet the IDEA 2025 sustainability judge, Jade Whittaker.