Sustainable House Day, East Albury, NSW

What we wanted: To improve the sustainability of our home – a 1920s brick house on a slightly less than quarter acre town block. It started with behaviour change relating to energy and water savings and soon moved on to retrofitting the building and landscaping the backyard. In many cases, do-it-yourself and low-cost options have been employed, with a preference for reused materials.

Retrofit: 1920’s red brick residence.

Climate Zone: Cool temperate.        

Did you engage an architect? n/a

Heating & Cooling
Home-made solar heating – winter sun harvesting via the roof space provides several degrees of extra warmth in living room.  Gas or wood heating used as well in coldest weather.
Passive cooling through house with fan assistance in summer. Very little use of air conditioner.
Zoning within the house using existing doors. Active heating or cooling only used in the living area space.

Draught proofing (to retain heat/cool as desired) includes skirting board gaps, external doors and wall vents. Doors with large opaque glass panels have bubble wrap as secondary glazing. ‘Draught-stoppa’ on bathroom fan to prevent heat loss/gain to roof space.

Water harvesting  
Two above ground rainwater tanks (25,000L + 2,100L). Wet pipe system of collection from house and shed roof. Low energy (solar powered) pumping system from main tank to header tank. Low flow dripper irrigation system, gravity fed.
Grey water diversion systems from shower to front garden and from laundry to back garden. No grey water storage or treatment – subterranean dispersal with taps to choose output areas and option to divert to sewer. Use of low phosphorus/low sodium detergents.

Garden
Backyard has undergone extensive landscaping to improve its utility and address issues relating to the steepness of the land and south aspect, using permaculture principles. It now features vegetable beds, fruit trees, chooks, worm farm and composts of various styles. Water and energy efficient irrigation system. Sheds built from reused corrugated iron sheets and re-used windows/doors.

Solar or wind generation
1 kW grid-tie photovoltaic system; generates more electricity than is used on an annual basis. Excess is exported to the grid. Panels are mounted on the back roof of house to comply with heritage status.

Water Heating
Evacuated tube solar hot water with electric boosting. Very rarely requires boosting. The collectors are mounted on the roof at the back of the house to comply with heritage status.

Appliances
Low energy water pump; low flow shower head; easy ‘switch off’ options for appliances (no standby); CFL lights throughout; extensive data on water and energy use. Portable solar cooker that requires no fossil fuels.

Windows
Single glazed, largely sash windows (source of heat loss/gain) . External awnings for summer shade on east and west windows. Use of pelmets and curtains to limit heat gain and loss through windows.

Roof
Sisalation and insulated with R4.0 rockwool batts.

Floor
Original Murray pine floor throughout. Carpet in bedrooms.

Other
The home features many second hand fixtures and furniture. It is located within walking and cycling distance to amenities and town centre. The ‘project’ continues, with plans for further improvements on the property including composting toilet, extension of solar heating, DIY evaporative cooling, internal renovation, wet-back heater, aquaponics ponds, and more. There’s even an emergency power supply – a converted exercise bike that can generate electricity and power appliances!