» Blackheath All Electric House

Blackheath All Electric House

My last house was a self-designed and owner-built straw bale and cob home. I wanted to down-size to something simpler – built with ‘regular’ building materials and prove that it could still be super efficient to run. I designed this house myself as an ‘alteration and addition’ to a very simple 1980’s brick veneer house. It now has Weathertex timber cladding, excellent insulation, I’ve opened up the northern aspect and I’ve added a loft bedroom to capture the amazing district views. It has a grid-connected 6kw PV system and my power bill is in credit!
It achieves 10 stars on the Residential Efficiency Scorecard star rating.

Sustainability Features

ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES

- Energy efficiency:
- Draught proofing
  Efficient lighting
  Efficient appliances
  Energy monitoring
- Passive heating cooling:
- Cross ventilation
  Deciduous planting around house
  Passive solar designed home
  Thermal chimney
  Thermal mass
- Active heating cooling:
- Split system airconditioner
- Water heating:
- Hot water heat pump
- Water harvesting and saving features:
- Low flow shower heads
  Low flow taps
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- LED lights throughout
  Natural daylight
  Skylight
- Window Protection:
- Awnings (external)
  Deciduous tree/vegetation
  Honeycomb blinds

SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS

- Sustainable materials:
- I chose the builders (Greenscape Constructions) for their reputation for sustainable building practices, including waste minimisation, use of locally sourced materials and great craftsmanship. All timber was native hardwood (Blackbutt and Victorian Ash).
- Recycled and reused materials:
- Appliances
  Bricks

INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS

- Insulation Type:
- Under-roof
  Ceiling
  Internal walls
  External walls
  Floor
- Ceiling Type:
- Bulk – glass wool
- Ceiling Rating:
- 5
- Floor Type:
- Reflective foil
- Floor Rating:
- 2
- Under Roof Insulation Type:
- Reflective foil
- Under Roof Insulation Rating:
- 1.2
- Internal Walls Insulation Type:
- Bulk – polyester
- Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
- 1.5
- External Walls Rating:
- 2.7
- External Walls Type:
- Bulk – glass wool

RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS

- All-Electric Home?
- Yes
- Renewable energy used:
- Solar PV grid connect
- Size of PV system:
- 6
- Average Daily Energy Consumption:
- 4

COSTS AND COST SAVINGS

- Estimate of annual savings:
- 1200-1500

HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

- House Size
- 120
- BAL Rating
- No BAL rating requirements at time of construction
- Roof
- Metal (Colorbond)
- Wall Materials
- Lightweight construction (timber frame)
  Timber
- Window and Door Types
- Double glazing
  Low-e, films
  Tilt and turn
- Number of bedrooms
- 4
- Number of bathrooms
- 2

GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION

- Garden / Outdoors
- Composting
  Local indigenous plants
  Native plants
  Water wise plants
- Waste Reduction Practices:
- Book exchange/library
  Compost all food scraps
  Make jams/conserves
  Recycle
  Repair
  Swap with friends and neighbours

HEALTHY HOME FEATURES

- Healthy home features
- Chemical free cleaning products used
  Cross flow ventilation
  Indoor plants for air filtration
  Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
  Natural fibre furnishings
  Natural light and ventilation
  Natural oil sealer/finishes

Blackheath All Electric House 2024

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Blackheath All Electric House

Sustainability Features

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