Caringbah House
This house is not opening in person, but you can explore the profile and ask the homeowner a question below.
House Notes – Caringbah House
This 1950s fibro four-bedroom house has been retrofitted with 15,000L of rainwater storage and associated guttering, and first-flush systems for reuse in laundry, bathrooms and garden. It has a 4kW solar system in two arrays, plus 2 x Enphase 1.2kW solar batteries. Insulation has been added to walls, ceilings, roof and underfloor, along with UPVC double-glazed windows.
Shading has been improved on the north side of the house to block summer sun, but allow winter sun into the house and living areas. Water use is about 30KL per quarter.
For a five person family (including one young adult and two teenagers) our electricity costs are down to around $260/qtr (!!) with gas about the same.
The upgrading of the house is not nearly complete yet, and future projects include a backyard studio and carports with green roofs, and a solid-fuel masonry heater.
Sustainability Features
- Energy efficiency:
- Draught proofing
Efficient lighting
Efficient appliances
Energy monitoring
- Passive heating cooling:
- Cross ventilation
Deciduous planting around house
Shading
- Active heating cooling:
- Ceiling fans
Split system airconditioner
- Water heating:
- Gas-heated Tank
- Water harvesting and saving features:
- Rainwater storage - Above ground
Rainwater storage - Underground
Grey water system
Stormwater management
Low flow taps
Drip irrigation
- Average water consumption per day:
- 75L
- Underground rainwater storage type:
- Under-deck concrete block tank, plus in-slab Aquapods
- Underground rainwater storage Size:
- 15,000L
- Above ground rainwater storage Type:
- Water tanks and butts
- Above ground rainwater storage Size
- 6,000L
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- LED lights throughout
- Window Protection:
- Blinds
Deciduous tree/vegetation
Drapes/curtains
Eaves
External window hoods/surrounds
Honeycomb blinds
Solar pergola
- Recycled and reused materials:
- Aggregate
Bottles
Bricks
Cladding
Paving
Rocks/stone
Roofing material
Tiles
Timber
- Insulation Type:
- Under-roof
Ceiling
Internal walls
External walls
Floor
- Ceiling Type:
- Bulk – polyester
- Ceiling Rating:
- R3.5
- Floor Type:
- Bulk - polystyrene board
- Floor Rating:
- R1.5
- Under Roof Insulation Type:
- Reflective foil
- Under Roof Insulation Rating:
- R2.5
- Internal Walls Insulation Type:
- Bulk – glass wool
- Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
- R2.7
- External Walls Rating:
- R2.9
- External Walls Type:
- Bulk – glass wool
- All-Electric Home?
- No
- Renewable energy used:
- Energy storage/battery
Solar PV grid connect
- Size of PV system:
- 4kW
- Average Daily Energy Consumption:
- 2kWh
- Total cost of home when constructed:
- Not much - built in 1952
- Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
- $25,000
- Estimate of annual savings:
- $2,500
- House Size
- 140m2
- BAL Rating
- BAL – Low: There is insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements
- Roof
- Tiles (Clay)
- Wall Materials
- Lightweight construction (timber frame)
- Window and Door Types
- Double glazing
Sliding windows/doors
Tilt and turn
- Universal Design Features
- Hobless showers
Shower head on rail for various heights
- Number of bedrooms
- 4
- Number of bathrooms
- 3
- Garden / Outdoors
- Bee keeping
Composting
Drip irrigation
Edible garden
Local indigenous plants
Organic
Native plants
Worm farm
- Waste Reduction Practices:
- Compost all food scraps
Recycle
Repair
- Healthy home features
- Cross flow ventilation
Indoor plants for air filtration
Natural light and ventilation
Natural oil sealer/finishes
VOC free paints/sealer/varnish
Wax based sealer/finish
- Housing Type:
- Standalone House
- Project Type:
- Continual Improvement
Ask questions about this house
Load More Comments