Babblers
New Build: Owner designed, assisted by architect Emilis Prelgauskas. The house was built in 2005 by local builder Peter Mumford.
Water Harvesting:
Three 22,500 litre above-ground poly tanks service the house. A fourth 22,500 litre steel tank filled from a garage roof supplies a vegetable garden. The house is serviced by an RI aerobic system. Treated water is sprinkled on to bush garden.
External Walls:
Walls are constructed of Hebel insulating cement panels and thermally supported by R2.5 rock wool batts.
Internal Walls:
Internal walls are standard gyprock. There is a single brick “heat sink” wall dividing living room from western facing bedroom and a double brick “heat sink” wall separating the living room from south facing kitchen.
Roof:
Roofing is colorbond zincalume, pastel green to blend into landscape. It is double insulated by foil sarking and R3.8 batts.
Floor:
The concrete slab contains oxides for colouring. It helps provide the thermal mass in the building for winter warmth. Un-carpeted throughout home.
Window Treatments:
Windows are locally supplied with aluminium frames for ease of maintenance. Encircling 2m verandahs and holland blinds are used effectively to control internal temperatures.
Electricity Generation:
Power is provided by a stand-alone 1.2kW Kaneka roof-mounted solar array and 12 SunGel lead acid storage batteries.
Heating & Cooling:
No air conditioner. 3 security screen doors open at night to cross ventilate/cool. 3 ceiling fans are almost never used. Efficient combustion stove and own wood supply, but minimally used (heats open living room quickly). Occasional winter meals are cooked on it. Floor and brick walls absorb its heat. 2m wide verandahs. Holland blinds. Doors are weather sealed.
Water Heating:
Water is heated by a never boosted Beasley 200L solar HWS
Appliances:
Vestfrost low energy fridge/freezer. The house is aligned to face solar north with most large windows on the northern and eastern faces. Verandahs and holland blinds shade windows in summer. Three security screened doors allow good cross ventilation. All green wastes recycled, no rubbish pickup. No dishwasher/clothes drier/hair dryer. Property of 23ha is revegetated with dryland native species. Mains water use averaged 57kL over last 2.5yrs, expected 44kL this year.
(August 2009) (
