Published 20 November 2019

Life on a house bus

By Aaron, a Sustainability Trust staffer

So this past year, I thought it would be quite an experience to live in a house bus. As a staff member of the Sustainability Trust and as an environmental studies graduate; I thought what better way to better understand what it means to “live with a lower carbon footprint”. You can imagine that with limited space and resources i.e. electricity and water, one quickly adapts their lifestyle. We at the Trust thought it you might enjoy learning a few of my tips:

• Washing your dishes - if you really want to get the most out of your water try this. Obviously a flow restrictor on your tap is the best start, but what about after that? Well, I found by placing a bucket under the faucet I got value out of my water. At the end of each meal, I collect my dishes in the bucket and, throughout the day as I use the sink, the bucket slowly fills. When I have enough dishes for a wash, I use the water to give them a rinse with a brush, then use the greywater on my outside plants. That way my dishes are rinsed and ready, and my plants get a drink.

• Want a cup of tea? – in my house bus I use an LPG bottle to run the four-burner gas stovetop. It’s funny cause when you live in a house bus you find yourself trying to save and utilize every resource to its utmost potential. So whenever I boil water for a cup of tea, I usually try to only put a cup or two into the kettle. This practice is applied for any meal that requires boiling hot water. This heats the water faster and doesn’t heat more than what I need, saving time and expense.

• Ventilation – Living in Wellington, I’ve quickly learnt that mould is persistent if you don’t consistently practise opening your windows during the day and using basic ventilation options at night. Using an extractor fan ensures that cooking moisture and smells get quickly pulled outside. By opening my window during that day I ensure my space is dry and ready for a cozy comfortable slumber at night.