Owl Woods Passive House 2018

House Notes – Owl Woods Passive House

After many renovations we’d always wanted to build a house from scratch. High on our priority list was sustainability, for a variety of reasons, but were not quite sure what that could/should entail!

Key to us was engaging local firms and, during this search, the idea of a house with good solar orientation was suggested and this soon developed into a full blown Passive House (still with the solar orientation, but now with awesome thermal properties and air tightness) was suggested and it quickly took hold as the ideal way to build our new house – given the climate, rising energy costs and achieving ‘comfortable’ living. When we’ve been living in the house for a year we’ll be able to gauge the impact on running costs, but we’re expecting to be pleasantly surprised.

Built by Craftsman Quality Builders

Designed by Elemental Design, Talina Edwards Architecture

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
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Heat exchange ventilation system
      Split system airconditioner
    • Water heating:
    • Hot water heat pump
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Above ground rainwater storage
      Low flow shower heads
      Hot water recirculation
      Drip irrigation
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Water tanks
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 37,000L
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Adustable Shading
      Blinds
      Deciduous tree/vegetation
      Drapes/curtains

    • Window Protection:
    • The northern eaves and protruding vertical 'wing' walls have been designed to shade from summer sun
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Recycled/reclaimed timber for deck and pergola Sustainable sourced, radially-sawn SilverTop Ash cladding and timber battens Recyclable and durable steel sheeting for cladding and roofing
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Rocks/stone
      Sleepers
      Timber
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under roof
      Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External Walls
      Floor
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk - glass wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R7.0
    • Floor Type:
    • Bulk - glass wool
    • Floor Rating:
    • R7.0
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R1.5
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk - glass wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • R2.5
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R6.7
    • External Walls Type:
    • Insulated panel system
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Energy star rating:
    • 7.4
    • Renewable energy
    • Solar ready - know where it'll go ... just waiting until we've lived there to see how big an array we need
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • Approx $800K
    • Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
    • $100000
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • $12,600
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 200 sqm
    • BAL Rating
    • BAL – 29: Increasing levels of ember attack and ignition of debris with a heat flux of up to 29kW/m2
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Insulated panels or blocks
      Lightweight construction (timber frame)
      Timber

    • Wall Materials
    • Colorbond and Cement-sheeting
    • Window and Door Types
    • Low-e, films
      Triple glazing

    • Window and Door Types
    • "Tilt and Turn"
    • Universal design accessability
    • Adaptive design
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
      No Corner cupboards
      Shower head on rail for various heights
      Slip resistant flooring
      Tapware to be easily accessed from outside the shower
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Aquaponics
      Composting
      Drip irrigation
      Native plants
      Water wise plants
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Cross flow ventilation
      Heat recovery ventilation (HRV)
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
      No carpets
Location
Trentham VIC 3458
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Craftsman Quality Builders (Stuart Lee)
    • Designer
    • Talina Edwards Architecture

Ask questions about this house

Load More Comments
Name
Email
Comment
Leave Comment