De La Tierra 2018

House Notes – De La Tierra

Built from local mud, timber and straw, this simple house traps and stores winter sun and excludes summer sun. With the addition of solar PV, integrated solar and wood heating, and cool air vents under the house, this house remains at a stable temperature with minimal energy input. The solar PV produces more power than the house uses and currently the house has no power bill, a tiny wood and gas requirement and makes about $2,500 electricity credit annually.

Outside, the two acres is producing ever increasing amounts of food through the permaculture design system. Guinea pigs and chooks graze freely and safely in the netted orchard.

This home is being supported by Energy Innovation Co-Op  and donations will help them continue their work.

The house also achieved 10 stars with the Victorian Residential Efficiency Scorecard. If you would like to find out more click here.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2015
2018
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
      Energy monitoring
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cooling tower
      Cross ventilation
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
      Thermal mass
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Solar hydronic
    • Water heating:
    • Solar hot water (evacuated tube)
      Wood fire wetback
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Above ground rainwater storage
      Worm farm septic tank system
      Stormwater management
      Drip irrigation
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Tank
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 70000L
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Blinds
      Drapes/curtains
      Pelmets
      Solar pergola
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Earth Floor, milled timber on site, Mud from site, straw from Lake Bolac,
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Bathroom cabinets
      Doors
      Insulation
      Kitchen cabinets
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under roof
      Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External Walls
      Floor
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk - glass wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R6.0
    • Floor Type:
    • Wafflepod
    • Internal / External Walls Type:
    • Light Earth
    • Internal / External Walls Rating:
    • R4.5
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Reflective foil
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R2.0
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk - glass wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • R3.0
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R4.0
    • External Walls Type:
    • High Straw content in Mud wall (Light Earth construction)
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • No
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 4.5kW
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $300,000
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • $5,000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 23m2
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Earthwall
      Timber
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double glazing
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 4
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 1
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Bee keeping
      Chickens
      Composting
      Drip irrigation
      Edible garden
      Organic
      Permaculture
      Native plants
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Cross flow ventilation
      Lime render/wash
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
      Wax based sealer/finish
Location
Kardella VIC 3951
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Open with support of
    • Energy Innovation Co-Op
    • Builder
    • Owner built with support

Ask questions about this house

Load More Comments
Name
Email
Comment
Leave Comment