|
|
Sustainable House Day, Warrnambool 1, Victoria |
|
Category: Sustainable House Day 2009 |
 |
by warranmgrp  (September 2009) (rank 298th) |
|
15 years ago the owners bought a block of land on the Merri River. The home has its back to the road and takes advantage of the views and Northerly aspect. Since the 1990s many environmental improvements have been made to the home. They have recently had a sustainability audit of their home and are currently implementing the plans.
Build: purpose built and designed
Unique sustainable elements featured in this home.
Special garden features
The owners have a large vegetable garden and orchard, the composting system incorporating food waste and manure from the stables is buried in the ground, chickens provide eggs and eat household scraps, and a scarecrow takes care of the birds.
Internal walls
Fitted with polyester/wool insulation.
Floor
Recycled timber floors have recently been fitted in the living/master bedroom area, and original cork in the kitchen/ dining room which will soon be replaced with sustainable timber flooring. Woollen insulation was added to the underfloor of the living area 8 years ago with more to be installed throughout the house.
Window treatments
New thicker north facing windows have recently been installed with plans for the old glass to be used to construct a glass house, and small south facing windows were added, with plans to adjust top windows to be able to open after a recent assessment. The windows in the living area have curtains, with no curtains in the kitchen /dining area to let in the suns warmth, shade cloth is added to the pergola outside the kitchen/ dining area during summer to reduce the heat into the home.
Power generation
7 Solar panels were installed on the roof last year, grid connected.
Heating and cooling
The passive solar design of the house reduces the need for heating and cooling, they have a wood heater which they fuel with timber from their own property, and 2 ceiling fans installed in bedrooms.
Water heating
Solarhart roof mounted solar panels and tank with gas boosting fitted in 2001.
Appliances
Gas cooking appliances were fitted in 2001
Transport
The owners have a gas car, and an electric powered bike.
