Dungog Healthy Home 2019

House Notes – Dungog Healthy Home

Our new home in Dungog was conceived as a prototype for future sustainable, healthy homes, designed with bio-climatic principals. It also needed to be affordable and easy to build. Therefore, sustainability, health and affordability were the challenges.

We wanted to build a conventional house whilst getting all the benefits of a non-toxic, comfortable living environment. Our criteria was to use natural materials that could help regulate humidity, together with using insulation that would keep the internal temperature relatively constant. It would be comfortable all year round, without air-conditioning.

We also wanted a home that implemented Livable Housing Guidelines so that it would be ready for all generations, without any modifications. It also had to be net-positive energy house, as all the appliances and hot water are electricity driven. It took a lot of thought.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2019
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
      Energy monitoring
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
      Thermal mass
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans

    • Active heating cooling:
    • Infra-red heating panels, externally ventilated walls and roof
    • Water heating:
    • Water heated by PV system
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Above ground rainwater storage
      Stormwater management
      Low flow shower heads
      Low flow taps
    • Average water consumption per day:
    • 100kL
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Metal tank
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 3000L
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
      Tubular skylight

    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • No SMD LED panel lights were used because if these fail the bulbs cannot be replaced, the whole fitting needs to be and we felt this was unsustainable.
    • Electric Vehicle Type
    • We have an Ev charger, but as yet no electric car.
    • Window Protection:
    • Awnings (external)
      Blinds
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • The natural wood fibre insulation used throughout the home is one of the most sustainable (and effective) products that can be used to insulate a building. It comes from renewable forests from Europe, and is recyclable at the end of its' life cycle.
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External walls
      Floor
    • Ceiling Type:
    • 100mm natural wood fibre batts from Steico - Flex 036
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R2.75
    • Floor Type:
    • Natural wood-fibre 7 mm (Underfloor from Steico)
    • Floor Rating:
    • R0.1 (plus cork flooring on top)
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Natural wood-fibre high density tongue and grooved boards (60mm) - Steico Protect H
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R1.25
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Natural wood-fibre batts 100mm from Steico, Flex 036
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • R2.75
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R1.25
    • External Walls Type:
    • Natural wood fibre high density boards (60mm) from Steico, Protect H
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 10kW
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 8kW
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $320,000
    • Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
    • $500m2
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • $4000 - and your health
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 158m2
    • BAL Rating
    • N/A
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Lightweight construction (timber frame)

    • Wall Materials
    • Natural wood fibre high density boards (60mm) tongue and grooved (Protect H from Steico), double battens, cement fibre cladding
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double glazing
      Sun Tunnel/SolaTube
      180 degree opening doors

    • Window and Door Types
    • uvpc tilt and turn double glazed windows and external doors.
    • Universal design accessability
    • Adaptive design
      Disability access
      Multi-generational
      Universal access
      Wheelchair access
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      Flush thresholds (no lip) to all external doors
      Hobless showers
      Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
      Minimum 110cm wide hallways
      No stairs/steps
      Shower head on rail for various heights
      Slip resistant flooring
      Space around toilets for ease of access in wheelchairs
      Tapware to be easily accessed from outside the shower
      Window openings easily accessible

    • Universal Design Features
    • 90 cm opening doors 150 cm hallways Reinforced walls in bathroom
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Organic
      Native plants
      Water wise plants
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Recycle
      Repair
      Swap with friends and neighbours
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Cabinet design to minimise dust collection
      Chemical free cleaning products used
      Cross flow ventilation
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural light and ventilation
      No carpets

    • Healthy Home
    • Internal wall paints are VOC free and vapour open: a vapour open construction - all materials breathable therefore preventing condensation and mould growth due to humidity build up, E0 timber in all internal fitouts,
Location
Dungog NSW 2420
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Owner builder

Ask questions about this house

Load More Comments
Name
Email
Comment
Leave Comment