1975 Weston Creek ‘Compact R’ 2025

1975 Weston Creek ‘Compact R’

Gradual conversion of a modest 1975 brick veneer ‘Compact R’ house in Canberra into an energy efficient 21st century home. This former EE1.5 house was cold in winter and very hot in summer but the aspect was good. North facing with lots of (very thin) glass windows in the living areas providing some redeeming solar passive features during winter. We didn’t want to get into a lot of debt to update this home and have been gradually making it more efficient over the last 15 years. Updates include:

1) 10.8 kW 3 phase solar and 13.5 kWh battery (used the $15k ACT loan to help with this).
2) replaced the original concrete tiles and insulation with R7 batts, roof blanket and colorbond. The colorbond is surfmist – the highest solar reflectance we could find.
3) installed wall cavity insulation – R4.2 rated glasswool.
4) gradually replacing our very thin original windows with double glazing. We have done the three smallest ones so far.
5) double drop blinds for the windows.
6) we still have gas. The new insulation has more than halved our gas usage. Looking at getting off gas but still trying to work out what is the most viable next option for our home. The ancient air con combined with the new insulation works fine for cooling.
7) we have an electric car and hybrid car. 22 kW, 3 phase home charging. Can pretty much run both cars using only solar/battery.
8) fitted a flow reducer on the shower and halved our hot water energy use.
9) installed a 19m2 wooden cabin in the backyard for a music teaching studio.
10) productive vege garden out the back and fruit trees. We have a wicking beds out the front for those veges that require a lot of sun.
11) compost bins and a worm farm.
12) chickens and 2 snail controlling ducks.