The Climate-Ready House 2018

House Notes – The Climate-Ready House

Having built one sustainable, high-rating house on an ideally oriented site, owner-builders Mark Clayton and Karina Deans wanted to show that they could achieve similar results on the worst-oriented block in the Adelaide suburb of Glanville. They wanted to find out how much more it would cost to build on a site where the narrow entry is to the north, and the long edge faces west.

The 8.2 Star home has been designed to be cooler in summer months taking into account that, in future, the number of 40+ degree days in Adelaide is expected to increase. Aesthetically, they’ve taken a modern approach to the traditional cottages that are abundant within the area; hence, the single-fronted veranda cottage with narrow eaves, 30-degree pitched roof, and the use of tin and lightweight construction, which all add to achieving the goal of being affordable and sustainable.

They wanted to run the house wholly from solar, with the option for batteries in future, so have chosen against a gas connection and installed a heat pump for hot water, a 6.2kW solar system (east–west orientation) and induction cooking. The building envelope is highly insulated, is made from SIPs (structural insulated panels), uses reverse block veneer for thermal mass and has double glazing. A blower door test showed a 4.7 ACH (Australian average is 15.4), which reduces excess heating and cooling costs and provides greater comfort. The only active cooling is provided by ceiling fans; a wood heater is used for heating.

Water hasn’t been forgotten, and the house has 7000L of rainwater storage, a drought-tolerant garden, WELS-rated taps and fittings throughout, and efficient appliances. Landscaping is designed for water retention and, to reduce building materials, solar panels double as the carport roof.

Article written by Rachael Bernstone and professional photos taken by Finn Howard – see more and read the full article from Sanctuary issue 44.

Ed from the City of Adelaide Enfield Council visited Mark at his home. To find out more about sustainable homes in Adelaide, click here.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2018
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Energy monitoring
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross-ventilation
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
      Thermal mass
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans

    • Active heating cooling:
    • Wood heater Blaze B100
    • Water heating:
    • Hot water heat pump
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Above-ground rainwater storage
      Low-flow shower heads
      Low-flow taps
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Poly RWT
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 2 X 3500L tanks connected to all cold-water taps
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Blinds
      Deciduous tree/vegetation
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Minimal waste taken off site during construction
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External Walls
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – natural wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R6.0
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Roof blanket
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R1.5
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – natural wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • R2.0
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R3.1
    • External Walls Type:
    • Insulated panel system
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Energy star rating:
    • 8.2 Stars
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid-connected
    • Size of PV system:
    • 6.2kW solar system with 5.0kW Fronius inverter, supplied by Tandem Energy. Includes Sunmodule Bisun 12 x 280W on east-facing carport; west-facing REC Twinpeak, 2 strings of 10 x 290W mounted on the house. Since the install date in April 2018, the system has produced about three times house usage.
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $240,000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 145m2
    • BAL Rating
    • N/A
    • Roof
    • Metal (colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Reverse brick veneer
      Structural insulated panels (SIPs)
      Timber
    • Window and Door Types
    • Awning
      Clerestory windows
      Double glazing
      Sliding windows/doors
    • Universal Design Features
    • No stairs/steps
      Tapware to be easily accessed from outside the shower
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 2
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Getting ready for bee keeping
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Composting
      Edible garden
      Native plants
      Water-wise plants

HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Asthma- and allergy-free certified carpet
      Chemical-free cleaning products used
      Cross-flow ventilation
      Indoor plants for air filtration
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
Location
Glanville SA 5015
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Owner

Ask questions about this house

Load More Comments
Name
Email
Comment
Leave Comment