Sustainable House Day, Glenhaven, NSW

Built in 1994 by Jen-Vue Homes (award winning energy efficient builders from Albury) the home was rated Five Star under the Nathers system & 5.4 under the Accurate system . It is a solar passive/active energy efficient sustainable & environmentally friendly home that won the 1994 Baulkham Hills Shire Council Building Design Awards for the most Energy Efficient Home in the Shire & also was runner up in the best custom built home under $200,000 using basic building products.

New or Retrofit:  Purpose built solar passive/active sustainable home.

Builder: Jen-Vue Homes

Climate Zone: Western Sydney – BCA Climate Zone 5, Nathers Climate Zone 28.

Unique Sustainable Elements featured in this home

Water Harvesting Systems
We have installed two water tanks from Bluescope Steel & Rainsaver Storage Gutters which are connected to our two toilets, washing machine & garden irrigation system, giving us a total of 8000 litres of storage capacity. The system was installed by The LeafMan, (1300 888 743, www.theleafman.com)  
Raintaps on the Vergola down pipes that collect water from roof & disperses into gardens. Gutters & drains sealed with BHP steel mesh.
 

Passive Solar Features
The home faces north & runs east/west along the block with 1 metre wide eaves on the north/south sides. No eaves east side & minimal eaves on west (no bedrooms only utilities). Thermal Storage – High level of thermal properties in walls & floors. The home incorporates an internal double brick wall which acts as a heat sink/thermal mass to help store natural heat during winter.
Natural Ventilation Paths – Effective cross ventilation allows home to cool down during summer. Ceiling fans are located in all rooms & have Pirrella anti-static fan sleeves to prevent dust being dispersed into air.

External Walls
Single Brick veneer construction with R2.5 rated Bradford batts.

Roof
Traditional tiled roof using Boral Terracotta Swiss tiles with R3.5 rated Bradford batts in ceilings.

Floor
Concrete slab on ground with terracotta floor tiles. Minimal carpet so as to maximize heat sink effect of slab.

Window Treatments
Clerestory double glazed roof windows facing north. All windows on north side are larger than south side windows. No windows east side. Solar tint on western laundry windows. Heavy duty thermal curtains & pelmets throughout home. Verosol energy efficient blinds in kitchen, en-suite & western bathroom/toilet.  

Solar or Wind Power Generation
We have a 12 panel Grid connected 2.5kw (200watt per panel) Kyocera system with a SB3800 Inverter  on our western roof facing north at a 30 degree angle. This produces approx 12kwh/ per day. This means that we will be in a credit situation with our electricity supplier. The system was installed by SolarSwitch Aust Pty Ltd

Heating & Cooling
Gas heating.

Water Heating
Solar Hot Water – 30 tubes Endless Solar evacuated tubes with no boosting.

Appliances & Equipment
Everlast 315lt Solar Electric boosted hot water tank in linen cupboard with slatted shelves for drying clothes.30 tube Endless Solar Hot Water system on roof. www.endless-solar.com.au
Asko Dishwasher 4.5 Star Energy Rating, 4.5 Star Water Rating.
Westinghouse 660 lt 3.5 Star Energy fridge.
LG front loader washer/dryer-water rating 4 Star, washing 4.5 Star, dryer 2.5 Star.Halogen cooktops.Energy efficient light globes (7 watt- 11 watt) fitted to all internal light fittings. All outside para floods are 24 watt. All internal taps fitted with enviro valves & flow restrictors that reduce water pressure & running costs. Two showers fitted with AAA rated shower heads. Dual flush toilets.

Other Unique Features
All ceilings & walls are painted with Oikos Natural non-toxic paint. Extensive opening/closing Vergola system for sun/shading which closes automatically when it rains. Allows us to control how much sun/shade comes into living zones.
Gardens are all low water useage covered with recycled forest mulch
with many native & deciduous trees, many birds, pond with frogs, vegetable garden, fruit trees, Aerobin compost system. www.aerobin.com.au .Solar powered/low voltage garden lights. Recycled tyres used as door mats. Some hard areas covered with recycled crushed terracotta roof tiles from Sydney storms several years ago.
We have an Enviromower which is powered by a 24 DC battery pack, lasts up to 80 mins mowing time & recharges in 12-16 hrs overnight. No petrol or oil, very quiet with push button start. www.enviromower.com.au

Conclusion- The home remains extremely functional, cool in summer warm in winter. Low running costs & little maintenance.

We also run Environmental Enterprises which is an Australia wide catering & packaging company supplying biodegradable/compostable/cornstarch products such as bowls, plates, knives, forks, spoons, plastic bags beer, wine glasses etc www.environmentalenterprises.com.au (under construction)

Member of ANZSES & ATA

On Committee of Sustainable Business Initiative (Hills area)

On Committee of Hills Against Global Warming. www.hagw.org

On Committee for Friends of the Environment.  www.bhsc.nsw.gov.au/community_environment_centre/newsletter.aspx >