Research by Renew and RMIT looked at the performance of highly efficient homes built in the eco-village at Cape Paterson Victoria before and after being lived in. The research includes interviews with occupants as well as analysis of energy use and home temperatures.
The research found that occupants reported their homes were thermally comfortable and that they rarely needed active heating or cooling. The home temperatures remained stable throughout the year at 18 – 25 degrees. Occupants reported that the homes heated up quickly in winter, even on days with outdoor temperatures of below zero and little sunshine. This is encouraging data that could lead to future home designs using smaller heating and cooling systems, or not needing them at all.
Click here to download and read the whole research update.