De La Tierra
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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
- 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 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 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)
- All-Electric Home?
- No
- Renewable energy used:
- Solar PV grid connect
- Size of PV system:
- 4.5kW
- Total cost of home when constructed:
- $300,000
- Estimate of annual savings:
- $5,000
- 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 / Outdoors
- Bee keeping
Chickens
Composting
Drip irrigation
Edible garden
Organic
Permaculture
Native plants
- 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
- Housing Type:
- Standalone House
- Project Type:
- New Build
- Open with support of
- Energy Innovation Co-Op
- Builder
- Owner built with support
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