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Sustainable House Day Waratah, NSW |
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Category: Sustainable House Day 2009 |
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by waratah  (August 2009) (rank 463rd) |
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Grassmere
Grassmere is a double brick residential home built in the 1920s set on two house blocks. When we bought the property eight years ago, it had been rented for some time and needed some TLC. Slowly over time we have been bringing the place back to life and in the process trying to add in some sustainability aspects that will help in lowering our carbon footprint.
At first our time was committed to functional aspects like stopping the lights from fusing, the pipes from leaking and the floors from sloping, but we gradually turned our attention to the garden (read lawn and sick exotics). We’ve built raised garden beds using permaculture principles to grow vegetables, herbs and more recently fruit trees.
Our newly constructed ‘Cluckingham Palace’ is now home to three Iso Brown hens, much to the delight of our seven-year-old son.
We recently installed a 9,000 litre rainwater tank, which collects water from half of the house roof and the shed and is used for the garden and laundry.
In 2007 we undertook Climate Action Newcastle’s kilowatt challenge with meagre results, so continue to look for ways to reduce our power consumption. This is a work in progress. We have concentrated on reducing energy usage and using renewable energy.
Pink batts rated 3.5 are installed in the roof cavity as well as a bubble cell layer on the skillion roof. A one kilowatt solar panel back-to-the-grid system was installed on the roof as part of Climate Action Newcastle’s Bulk Solar Deal and we also use 100% accredited greenpower.
Heating is predominantly gas and drapes help maximise the heat in winter. A north facing veranda is delicious in winter, and also offers great protection from the summer sun. We are exploring ways of harnessing winter heat for warming what can be a cold house in winter, but in the summer, the house is often 10° cooler inside than outside, and maintained throughout the day occasionally with the help of a fan.
A skylight in the kitchen has changed the feel of a dark space.
So far, most of the changes we have made have been our own, though we may require some expert advice for further changes.
Our lounge room is the nerve centre of Transition Town Newcastle which is part of international movement to support and promote local sustainable communities, by reducing emissions and preparing for a post peak-oil future. www.transitionnewcastle.org.au www.transitionculture.org
