Overview: This researcher would be pleased to present a deliberately intimate picture of the energy efficiency data from five years in his place of residence. It appears that there has not been a great deal of research analysis completed on the differing efficiencies of solar panels and evacuated solar tubes when placed in specific domestic settings. The presentation shows how deliberate scientific endeavour has enabled this author to manage and develop a ‘carbon neutral residence’ near the capital city of Australia – albeit with a limited financial budget.

Objective: To create a carbon neutral, passive solar home on a minimal budget. To also demonstrate why there is a need to blend Scientific/Environmental/Spiritual worldviews from the microcosm (one home) to the macrocosm (our world) in order to create hope for the future.

Method: I chose a like-minded builder/architect to obtain good initial results such as block orientation, home orientation, shade cloth, composting toilets, water harvesting abilities and grey-water reuse. Then I chose to analyse energy usage and begin to ‘tune the home’ using ‘bent’ fluorescent tubes; flat solar water heating panels; evacuated solar tubes and solar P.V. panels.

Results: Energy efficiency and carbon neutrality has been achieved in the home after much ‘tuning’ and ‘fine-tuning’. Results speak to differing efficiencies of solar products and ‘appliances’ in the urban, domestic setting.

Conclusion: That carbon neutrality in a domestic setting requires the combined and effective use of ‘best efficiency’ solar technology, environmental awareness and a holistic approach to achieve a credible result.