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#1 – Mail & Key Holder

Katie from Ivy in the Bay had enough of the ‘pile-all area’ mess in the home.

“I sanded the shutter, removed the dowel handle that ran vertical down the center, and painted it white. With a little white paint , an old window shutter and some hooks – we have a small mail / bill / coupon / key station for ZERO dollars [sic]!”

Not just a great idea for the kitchen, this mail holder can be transformed into a kids picture holder or place to hold important notes. A lick of paint in any colour will help make the shutter holder stand out in a bedroom, living room, study, home office or kitchen. No more messy piles of bills, homework or important notes.

Want to be extra creative? Help get the kids involved and add jewels, stickers or multicolour splashes of paint to really individualise your shutter holder. This is a great way to help get the kids away from their screens for half an hour to indulge their creative side.

Image courtesy of Ivy in the Bay

#2 – Plantation Headboards

Samantha from Samantha Elizabeth says “I had been itching for something fun, rustic and that would bring a pop of unique color to our cozy bedroom … My husband Dusty likes to call my findings names like “junk” or “garbage”. I kindly remind him “that one mans trash is another mans treasure”! And a treasure this was indeed.”

If you have multiple old plantation shutters that you are looking to get rid of, then why not try your hand at making your own bead head. This is a great way to make use of plantation shutters that are still in fairly good condition but that aren’t working for your windows anymore. The best part about this whole project is that you can change the colour or your bed head whenever you feel like it. A new lick of paint is all it will take to completely refresh the look of your bedroom. If you’re not ready to commit to making over your bedroom, try jazzing up your spare or guest bedroom. Your new plantation shutter headboard will be a talking point for all your guests who come to stay.

If you’re not in the market for a new headboard why not indulge your four-legged friend with a new bed. Depending on the size of your dog or cat, cut the shutters to size and nail/glue the sides together, add in a plush oversized cushion and you’ll have yourself a brand new bed that your best friend will love!

Image courtesy of Samantha Elizabeth

#3 – Garden Planters & Pots

The slats in shutters open the door to many possibilities in the garden, from housing small succulents to decorating with white garden stones.

This is a fantastic idea for anyone who has a small terrace backyard or even a small balcony (make sure anything on your balcony is secured down) that doesn’t allow for many plants. When you can’t build out, build up! Old plantation shutters are perfect for growing your own vertical garden. A visit to your local garden centre will allow you to single down on small easy to grow plants that will work within the slats of the shutters.

If your thumb isn’t very green, succulents are a great choice because they require very little water and maintenance. With the large variety of succulents available, you will be able to mix and match colours and textures to create a real stand out piece of garden art.

Image 1 courtesy of Lila B. Design

#4 – Hanging Roof Lamp

Give your room a beach vibe with a hanging roof shutter lamp.

Plantation shutters aren’t just a great way to jazz up your windows but are great when turned into a custom lamp. Creating a lampshade for a hanging light is perfect for creating ambience while also giving a beachy rustic feel to the room. Paint the shutter any colour that you like to either stand out or blend in nicely with your room. This type of lamp is perfect for a teens room although can be used in any room within your house.

If you want to be really creative, you can use sheer colour pieces of material to change the colour of your room when the light is on. Just make sure this is safe to do and don’t leave the light unattended for long periods of time.

Image 1 courtesy of Lila B. Design

#5 – Repurposed Furniture & Gardenware

Creative AND functional furniture for your garden or outdoor area.

If you are in the market for new outdoor furniture, make use of your old shutters and transform them into a functional table, drink stand or even a stool. Being outdoors, you can get as creative with this as much as you like. If your area is modern, try a crisp white to add elegance and sophistication or if you want something a bit rustic paint the shutters a colour of your choice and sand back to add a sense of vintage to your piece.

The best part about this kind of project is the added storage space you can make as the shutters act as a privacy screen. Store pillows, cushions or BBQ equipment while you’re not using them to help keep your outdoor area neat and tidy. This also works if you have created the table or stool for your garden, hide small hand shovels and garden tools easily.

Image courtesy of Good Housekeeping

Myth 1:

‘High Power Prices is Solar’s Fault’

This myth that solar subsidies and incentive schemes cause high power bills continues to linger, in spite of comprehensive data showing it’s simply untrue.

While there is no question electricity costs have skyrocketed in recent years, there are many reasons behind the price hikes and solar is far from the worst offender. Industry data points to network and transmission charges as the biggest culprits, while the impact of solar rebates is shown to be trivial.

An EUAA (Energy Users Association of Australia) media release summarises the current state of affairs: “Network prices, i.e. the prices charged to transport power across poles and wires, make up half of the electricity bill and have been by far-and-away the main contributing factor to the price increases.” Indeed, a breakdown of the average Australian household’s power bill by the Clean Energy Council puts solar schemes at just 6 per cent of total cost. Government support for large-scale renewable energy accounts for 2 per cent; the remaining 92 per cent is made up of wholesale electricity price, network charges and other costs.

Myth 2:

‘Solar Panels Are Too Expensive’

In the past, the price of solar panels could certainly have been seen as prohibitive to most Australian families. Today though, the cost of producing and installing solar power has dropped drastically – especially in recent years.

According to the Clean Energy Council, solar panels are more than 500 times cheaper to manufacture than the first solar cells of the mid-1950s. Global market prices for solar PV have dropped by 75 per cent in the last four years and 45 per cent in the last 12 months alone. Solar panels are more affordable than ever and it shows – the number of Australian household with solar PV systems has increased by more than 55 times since the beginning of 2009.

The question of whether solar PV is yet competitive with coal is more complex. Many commentators believe residential solar has already achieved grid parity; some others suggest that while grid parity has not been reached, it is not far away. According to a research paper released by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), the confusion surrounding price competitiveness relates largely to the metrics used to compare the costs of different energy sources.

Myth 3:

‘It Only Works In Sunny Weather’

Solar power comes from the sun. The more sun, the more power – Right? While it’s true that sunnier conditions are generally ideal for solar power generation, it’s not that simple. Even overcast conditions can provide optimal solar generation since panels generate electricity from light (UV rays), not heat.

This myth was roundly dismissed by the CSIRO in a 2012 report entitled Solar intermittency: Australia’s clean energy challenge. Following a year-long, world-first study, the report concluded that while cloudy weather can reduce electricity production from solar panels, intelligent grid management would mean panels and mirrors could supply 40 per cent of the nation’s energy.

An extension of this myth is the notion that rooftop solar panels are unproductive during colder months. While the summer months do bring the benefit of longer daylight hours, in reality winter can be a good time for solar electricity production, as too much sun can even restrict power generation due to the ‘Max Power Temperature Coefficient‘. Even in the darkest, dullest weather, a solar rooftop system can generate as much as 25 per cent of a normal clear day output.

Myth 4:

‘Solar is Only for the Wealthy’

Rooftop solar may once have been largely the domain of wealthy inner-city dwellers, but new research demonstrates this is no longer true; indeed, it is quite the opposite.

Data from the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator shows that households in low- to middle-income suburbs, regional areas and retirement belts have embraced solar in the highest numbers.

The top Australian solar postcodes in 2012 include Dubbo (NSW), Caloundra (QLD) and Victor Harbour (SA), where more than a quarter of households have now installed solar power. Acting Chief Executive of the Clean Energy Council Kane Thornton said the information suggested those most vulnerable to rising power bills were more likely to invest in a solar system.

“With the price of panels now about a third of what it was just three years ago, many people see solar power as a way to save on their energy bills as well as do something for the environment,” he said. “Solar panels are fast becoming the Hills Hoist of the 21st Century.“

Myth 5:

‘Solar Panel Systems Are Often Poorly Installed’

It can happen, but the reality is, the solar industry is very highly regulated and controlled, with strict compliance standards. Solar installers must first become qualified electricians, and then from that point can attain their solar accreditation.

In order to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable solar installer, ask them the key questions that will help identify whether they’re a long-standing, reputable company in the solar industry, or whether they’re an installer looking for a quick buck looking to go by the bare minimum.

• Are they Clean Energy Council Accredited?
• How long has the company been in the solar PV industry?
• Who is responsible for repair or replacement costs?
• What performance, workmanship and product guarantees do you get?

Myth 6:

‘The Fire Brigade Won’t Come to Your Home If You Have Solar’

This myth is one that has caused people to question the safety of installing solar panels. According to the both the South Australian Metro Fire Service (MFS) and the SA Country Fire Service (CFS), this urban myth is completely incorrect.

The CFS District Officer of Community Safety Allan Foster says, “I’d like to assure the public that no matter what power supply exists at a property, fire-fighters are well prepared and educated to bring a fire under control”

On top of this, according to information published by the Clean Energy Council in 2011, approximately 100,000 solar panels were installed on Australian houses in the last 30 years – With no reports of any system acting as a catalyst for property fires.