This is a period home in Melbourne which has managed to greatly reduce its energy and water impact by careful application of measures such as:
- Grid-connect solar PV,
- Solar hot water service,
- LED lighting,
- Induction cook top,
- Very high levels of insulation,
- Double glazing,
- Rainwater harvesting,
- Green power,
- Draft proofing,
- High-efficiency appliances,
- Behavioural change.
In addition, other sustanable features include:
- Chooks provding food and recycling food waste;
- Wicking garden bed for vegetables,
The results include:
- Net mains electricity use is now very close to zero;
- Per-person mains water use about 20L/day, compared to the current Melbourne average of about 144L/day;
- Hot water energy requirements reduced by about 90%
Electric car. The homeowners are also pioneers in the use of an all-electric vehicle which provides emission-free driving thanks to the use of sufficient solar panels and the use of green power. This car, combined with a fuel-efficient 2nd car allowed a reduction in fuel use by about 70%
Solar hot water. Possibly the most novel feature of the house is a solar hot water system that combines evactuated tube solar collectors with a heat pump hot water service. This unusual combination has allowed a reduction in mains energy requirement by about 90%.
(September 2011) (
