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Sustainable House Day, Freshwater, NSW |
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Category: Sustainable House Day 2009 |
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by SHD  (August 2009) (rank 13th) |
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The owners of this house, used as much of the original house as they could when building their new home. The new house was built to take advantage of the north aspect for main living area and the north-east sea breezes available for cooling in the summer. A variety of energy efficient elements have been used to make this a comfortable home all year round.
New or Retrofit: Renovation
Designer: Owners
Climate Zone: Eastern Sydney – BCA Climate Zone 5, Nathers Climate Zone 56.
Unique Sustainable Elements featured in this home
Water Harvesting Systems
10,000 litre in-ground water tank which feeds toilets, garden & laundry. Plumbed for future greywater connection.
External Walls
Timber frame with insulation.
Roof
Colorbond – light grey, with 20 deg. pitch and deep overhang on north side.
Floor
Suspended wood & carpet
Window Treatments
Special comfort glass to north & south sides. High windows allow air flow in summer. Purpose made blinds for some windows.
Solar or Wind Power Generation
1.1 kW grid-connected Photovoltaic system on roof, not visible from street.
Sustainable/Recyclable Products
Timbercrete building blocks, brick and block retaining wall blocks, recycled steel and hardwood beams, crushed concrete drainage aggregate, chipped polystyrene drainage system, low emission laminate kitchen, recycled staircase, Kordon pest control.
Water Heating
SolarHart, Solar with electric boosting.
Heating & Cooling
Heating-instant gas heaters Cooling-natural ventilation (high windows)
Other Unique Features
All fluorescent lights.
Water efficient shower heads & toilets, low flow taps.
Pool positioned so that cooling breezes pass over before entering the house.
Renovation has opened the house more to the north and the winter sun.
