HOUSE SIZE

140m2

BAL RATING ROOF

n/a

WALL MATERIALS

Brick Veneer + Plasterboard

WINDOW AND DOOR TYPES

Double Glazed (all new areas)

UNIVERSAL DESIGN FEATURES

Complete re-orientation of living areas (from coldest / darkest part of the house to North / West facing for max solar gain and livability - easy access to garden and decking areas. Some smart home features included to turn on/off appliances and lighting.

NUMBER OF BEDROOMS

4 (incl Study)

NUMBER OF BATHROOMS

2

SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS:

Re-use of materials where possible (including some fixtures, windows, doors, wardrobes, etc.), but building materials were not a major component of our renovation as the footprint of

INSULATION TYPE & LOCATION:

Ceiling (whole house) to R6 Earthwool
Walls (renovated areas) R2.5 Earthwool and
Underfloor (whole house) insulated soft foam

ALL-ELECTRIC HOME?

Yes

ENERGY STAR RATING:

n/a - Unknown

RENEWABLE ENERGY USED:

75% (winter) 95% (summer)

SIZE OF PV SYSTEM:

6kw

SIZE OF BATTERY:

7.1kWh

ENERGY EFFICIENCY:

Double Glazing for all new windows. Double glazed internal window / door to reduce heated space. Draft proofing.

PASSIVE HEATING COOLING:

Passive solar gain and greenhouse with skillion roof.
Passive “Solar-venti” air pump system.
Windows for cross-ventilation.
Cool Cupboard in pantry.
Huge pergola on West-facing window of living areas.

ACTIVE HEATING COOLING:

Nectre slow combustion stove with oven for cooking.
Split systems (5kw and 2.5kw).
Under-tile heating in ensuite (450w for 3h/day in winter).

WATER HEATING:

Sanden Heat Pump (250L). Uses solar energy during the day.

ABOVE GROUND RAINWATER STORAGE:

Total 12,000L (spread over 8 tanks). Pergola doubles as ‘under-deck’ water tank - 5,000 Bladder.

WATER HARVESTING AND SAVING:

Bladder tank (5,000L) with a pressure pump (for garden watering).
5 Tanks with gravity feed only.
Slimline tank connected to 2 toilets and laundry.
Greywater system from the shower and pantry.
Central ponds handle overflow from tanks and store excess water in the soil.
5 Star water-saving toilets.

ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING:

All LEDs. Solar LED lights for the living area.
Only ONE LED downlight.
“Grid-Connect” smart home timers, switching, and lighting in some areas.

WINDOW PROTECTION:

Shade from vines in summer.
Automatic external blind for West-facing window.
Large Eaves.

CAR CHARGING:

n/a

HEALTHY HOME FEATURES

Indoor plants & Greenhouse.
Natural light skylights.
Ventilation from Solar-Venti’s (provides fresh, heated air).

COST ESTIMATE OF SUSTAINABLE HOME/FEATURES:

Approx 10% (20k) of our renovation budget for energy-saving appliances and features (excluding the solar system).
Solar system and battery cost approx 16k (after rebates).

COST SAVINGS PA:

$970 (Estimated by Solar Company).
$800 (approx $ saved by switching from gas).
$150 pa - water saving, at least (Garden, Toilets, Laundry).
Total savings: $1,920 pa

GARDEN / OUTDOORS:

Full permaculture system, featuring chickens, water harvesting, almost a dozen composts, fire pit, rocket stove, greenhouse, anti-aviary, bees, pond system with infiltration swales, and extensive food forest. Well over 50 fruit trees, loads of companion planting & weeds. We also have a wicking bed and bees!

WASTE REDUCTION PRACTICES:

Garden is designed to be mostly self-sustaining - requiring few inputs. Some mulch and manures are added from time to time, but on the whole, the outputs (produce) far outweigh all the garden inputs and other costs. All kitchen and garden waste is composted or fed to the chickens / worms. We are not ‘no waste,’ but we only need to put our bins out every 2nd collection.