40 South St Belmont - Open 10am to 4pm Sunday September 11th
My goal was to use my house and garden to create a life style which fosters sustainability and health.
The house has vastly improved summer and winter comfort through ceiling and under-floor insulation, heat reflective paint, awning blinds, door and window seals, gaps sealed, ceiling fans and cross ventilation. Prior to modifications the 1950's connite house with pitched roof and timber floors rated at 1.1 Stars or 600MJ/m2 while after modification it now rates at 3.5 Stars or 260MJ/m2, which is a 56% reduction in the total heating and cooling load.
I reduced my power consumption through eliminating stand-by power, the use of compact fluorescent lighting and replacement of an old electric storage hot water unit with a gas instantaneous unit which is the most greenhouse gas efficient water heating for a two person home. I have a 1.75kw PV system generating 8kw hours per day.
I conserve water with low flow taps and shower heads, grey water reuse and 13000 litre tanks for rainwater harvesting for garden use and flushing toilets. The creation of a micro-climate with deciduous trees and edible plants in a landscaped garden provides shade in summer while allowing winter sun.
My home is light and comfortable and provides a great environment in which to live and work
Star rating system explained
Australia is divided into 66 climate zones and Geelong is climate zone 60.
The current minimum standard for new homes and renovations in Victoria is 6 Star. Refer to the attached graph
Houses built in 1990 averaged about 1 star on the NatHERS scale. Before the introduction of national energy efficiency regulations for houses in 2003, less than one per cent of Australian houses achieved 5 stars.
Improving the performance of your house by only one or two stars makes a significant reduction to your heating and cooling loads and your greenhouse gas emissions. Smaller homes use less energy to heat and cool than larger homes. Refer to the attached graph comparing house sizes and star ratings.
These improvements can be achieved with low cost items such as insulation and door and window seals. Come along to sustainable house day to see just what is possible.
Sustainable House Day Sponsors
This event is organised by the Geelong Sustainability Group in cooperation with Geelong Organic Gardeners and Geelong's Transition Towns and is proudly sponsored by the City of Greater Geelong as key sponsors and Barwon Water Water as major sponsors. Other sponsors include;
Scotsco Skylights - call Adrian 0409823177 or 52617515 www.scotscoskylights.co.au
Solahart - Solar hot water and power systems
Zero C - ESD Architects/Sustainability Consultants and Energy Assessors, Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Assesors
Phil Hines Photography - most images taken for Geelong region homes and gardens are kindly by Phil
New Earth Systems - Solar thermal heating, ventilation and cooling, energy monitors, permaculture design and education
Nia Dance Geelong - 9 movement forms combined for sustaining body, mind and spirit
Organics Box- Organic and Biodynamic Fruits/Vegetables/Herbs and Groceries in Torquay and Geelong
Sindhiya Soapnuts - 100% Natural Cleaning SoapNuts for a Healthier Home and Planet
Transition Bell - www.transitionbell.groupsite.com, Victoria's first transition intiative.
Transition South Barwon - www.transitionsouthbarwon.groupsite.com
Transition Eastern Geelong - www.transitioneastgeelong.groupsite.com
www.geelongsustainability.org.au
(August 2011) (
