Hobart Cottage 2024

House Notes – Hobart Cottage

I reckon one of the most sustainable houses is one that already exists!

My little brick and iron cottage close to central Hobart is 99 years old. It was life-threateningly cold when I moved in, one June nearly 30 years ago, but it had good sun access. Over the years, as I could afford it, I’ve insulated the roof space, draught-proofed, put floor length heavy curtains under the already in place pelmets, installed solar hot water and 2 kWs of solar panels and best of all, enclosed the front verandah to make a sunspace that brings warm air into the house in the winter, dries the washing and the herbs, and gives me a lovely spot to watch Hobart walk by while I read or drink my tea. The windows and doors to the sunspace were all salvaged.

No big expensive renovations – it is still a daggy little cottage but it is way more comfortable and my energy costs are minimal (actually I’m in credit!). I want to show you my garden too – it is a very important part of my sustainable living ethic and a great source of joy and food. Both house and garden have a very tip-shop vibe.

Love to show you around and chat.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2024
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
      Energy monitoring

    • Energy efficiency:
    • winter heating from sunspace;
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Deciduous planting around house
      External planting
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Heat pump

    • Active heating cooling:
    • wood stove
    • Water heating:
    • Solar hot water (evacuated tube)
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Low flow shower heads
    • Average water consumption per day:
    • 150 litres
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Electric Vehicle Type
    • electric bike, used more than my ice ute
    • Window Protection:
    • Drapes/curtains
      Eaves
      Pelmets
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Keeping what is already in the house - no kitchen reno for example, still using what works in the house and garden including a DIY Hills hoist. No Grand Designs here!
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Doors
      House - all materials reused
      Windows
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Ceiling
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – polyester
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • double layer of insulation
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 2kW
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 6.29 kWh one person household with occasional visitors
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • $2000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • small
    • BAL Rating
    • No BAL rating requirements at time of construction
    • Roof
    • Metal (Galvanised)
    • Wall Materials
    • Double brick
      Timber
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double hung
    • Universal Design Features
    • Hobless showers
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 2
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 1
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Bee hotels/friendly
      Chickens
      Composting
      Edible garden
      Orchard
      Permaculture
      Worm farm
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Book exchange/library
      Compost all food scraps
      Make jams/conserves
      Pickle and preserve food
      Recycle
      Repair
      Take own containers to the supermarket and for take away food
      Swap with friends and neighbours
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Natural light and ventilation
Location
West Hobart TAS 7000
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • Continual Improvement
    • Designer
    • Absolutely none.

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