Ransom House 2018

House Notes – Ransom House

We wanted to build a house that would be warm in winter and cool in summer, with a minimum of active heating/cooling, and we have succeeded beyond our expectations. Although we do run air conditioning on the odd days in the middle of summer/winter, our home is comfortable without it all year round. We feel that many people don’t realise how enjoyable it is to live in a house with a good, passive solar design and would like to share our learnings.

Our home is based on passive design principles, with a northern orientation to let in warming winter sunshine but shade-out summer sun. We use cross-ventilation to make the most of the cooling breezes from the hills and ocean on summer evenings, and thermal mass to keep the temperatures stable in the living areas. The butterfly roof maximises the windows on the northern side, while also providing a north-facing roof face for solar panels. The house is built from sustainable, low-impact materials wherever possible, including plantation and recycled timber.

Our home was also designed to be built within a modest budget, and by an inexperienced owner-builder. Living in our home is very affordable, because we not only have very low power bills, but we also spend only a very small amount on gas and never need to buy firewood or any other fuel. Having lived in the house for seven years now, we can vouch for the aspects of our home that work really well, as well as share the few things that we would do differently next time.

We love living in our sustainable house and would never want to live in any other type!

Designed by MC Noble Building Designer and built by the owners.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2018
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross-ventilation
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
      Thermal mass
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Split system air conditioner
    • Water heating:
    • Solar hot water (flat panel)
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Above-ground rainwater storage
      Greywater system
      Stormwater management
      Low-flow shower heads
      Low-flow taps
      Drip irrigation
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Poly tanks
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 37,000L
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • Natural daylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Blinds
      Deciduous tree/vegetation
      Drapes/curtains
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Basins/sinks
      Bathroom cabinets
      Doors
      Timber
      Windows
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      External walls
      Floor
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R4.0
    • Floor Type:
    • Wafflepod
    • Floor Rating:
    • R1.0
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Reflective foil
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R1.5
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R3.5
    • External Walls Type:
    • Bulk glass wool and Aircell reflective foam
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • No
    • Energy star rating:
    • 5 Stars
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid-connected
    • Size of PV system:
    • 3.2kW
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $250,000
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • $2000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 210m2 + 40m2 (workshop)
    • BAL Rating
    • BAL – Low: There is insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements
    • Roof
    • Metal (zincalume)
    • Wall Materials
    • Aerated concrete
      Lightweight construction (timber frame)
      Timber
    • Window and Door Types
    • Awning
      Clerestory windows
      Double glazing
      Louvre windows
      Low-e, films
      Sliding windows/doors
      Stacking windows/doors
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Chickens
      Composting
      Drip irrigation
      Edible garden
      Organic
      Native plants
      Water-wise plants
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Cross-flow ventilation
Location
Normanville SA 5204
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Owner
    • Designer
    • MC Noble Building Designers

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