House was built in 1989 – 1990
Water Harvesting Systems The house roof is able to collect 300,000 litres of rainwater a year with a total of 90,000 litres of stored rain water in two 45,000 litre above ground concrete tanks. The rain water harvested from the house roof is enough to supply the whole house. The excess water is pumped into a 90,000 litres concrete tank used in the nursery.
SpecialGarden Features Hundreds of trees have been planted through the years on the 4 hectare property. Close to the house is an orchard, veggie garden and chook house. The orchard provides a generous harvest which is shared by all our staff in the business and myriad birds through summer. Preserved and frozen fruit is used out of season.
External Walls The construction of the house is brick veneer. Brick veneer was chosen because of its long life and low maintenance. The timber frame is mountain ash and R 3 pink batts have been used for insulation.
Internal Walls Most of the internal walls are plaster board. Some feature walls are made with pine wood lining and the western wall is double brick.
Roof It is a brown Colorbond roof with a 15° roof pitch. R 3.5 pink batts have been used for ceiling insulation. The roof extends to the north 1.2 meters wide to allow in winter sun and exclude summer sun. The roof extends to the west with a double open carport, shading the western wall of the house.
Floor Concrete slab construction with ceramic tiles. A concrete slab provides good thermal mass and ceramic tiles are long lasting and easy care.
Window Treatments Aluminum framed single glazing has been used throughout the whole house. There are no windows on the western and eastern side of the house. It is planned to replace the single glazing step by step with double glazed windows. All windows have full cover of curtains which could usefully be enhanced with pelmets.
Solar or Wind Power Generation 2.1 kW solar grid connect system. All electricity imported at nighttime or on rainy days consists of 50% green energy.
Heating & Cooling The house is running east west and has large windows to the north. The house is using passive solar to heat the house through the cooler months. The eaves have been designed to allow the winter sun into the main living areas in winter time. Additional heating is through a wood heater. The firewood is grown and harvested from the property. The eaves also exclude the summer sun with very little sunlight falling directly onto windows. After hot summer days, when the temperature drops, the windows and doors are opened to allow passive cooling. There is a portable vertical fan in the house which is used for cooling in the hottest months.
Water Heating Close coupled solar hot water system with electric boost backup.
(August 2009) (
