Duncraig Passive Solar Home 2021

Duncraig Passive Solar Home

This home was designed exactly how we wanted it, to be a comfortable, functional space that met our family’s needs now and into the future. Designing a solar passive home was always a top priority, to reduce our ecological footprint and save money in the long-term. The universal access features of wider doors and no steps make the home more user friendly, especially during the morning rush in the bathroom, when there are (too) many cooks in the kitchen and moving furniture. We also wanted the home to have a bit of character and the handmade bricks add that special uniqueness.

Coming from a previous home where there were air conditioners and heaters, just having ceiling fans feels so much healthier as well as being cost effective. The heat pump water heater is very efficient and is powered solely during the day by the solar PV system. Using rainwater in the toilets and washing machine most of the year makes perfect sense. At a size of approximately 270m2, our four bedroom, two bathroom home is a modest size but with lots of storage and no long corridors, there is no wasted space. The open plan living area is the central heart of the home, with the main bedroom and study on one side and another door to two bedrooms, activity space, bathroom, laundry and toilet on the other side.

An adjustable vergola regulates sun coming through the north facing living room windows and sliding door. It is mainly closed throughout the warmer months and open throughout the cooler months (apart from closing when it rains). The vergola also provides a great space for outdoor living. Built in pelmets and block out curtains on the north side also assist in keeping the heat out during summer and the heat in during winter. In time, the deciduous trees planted will provide natural shade to the north facing windows. The native gardens are growing well and are low maintenance. There is a small, functional area of lawn in the backyard for outdoor fun and relaxing. We hope you will be able to get some ideas and be inspired to start your own sustainable home journey.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2020
2021
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Deciduous planting around house
      External planting
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
      Thermal mass
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Heat pump

    • Active heating cooling:
    • No, air conditioning and mechanical heating is not required. A comfortable temperature all year round is easily reached by opening and closing windows, doors, vergolas and curtains depending on the weather and using the ceiling fans – they are FANtastic.
    • Water heating:
    • Hot water heat pump
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Rainwater storage - Above ground
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 3000L tank which is plumbed to two toilets and the washing machine. It is in use approximately 7 to 8 months a year, depending on rainfall.
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Electric Vehicle Type
    • Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid vehicle
    • Window Protection:
    • Adjustable Shading
      Deciduous tree/vegetation
      Drapes/curtains
      Eaves
      Pelmets

    • Window Protection:
    • Vergola
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      External walls
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – polyester
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R4.0
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Reflective foil
    • External Walls Type:
    • Reflective insulation
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • No
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 3.78KW with a 3kW inverter
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 0.925kW (average cost for last 2 years $2.05 per month)
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $315,000 (2016)
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 222m2
    • BAL Rating
    • No BAL rating requirements at time of construction
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Double brick
    • Window and Door Types
    • Awning
      Double hung
      Sliding windows/doors
    • Universal design accessability
    • Multi-generational
      Universal 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
      No Corner cupboards
      Shower head on rail for various heights
      Space around toilets for ease of access in wheelchairs
      Tapware to be easily accessed from outside the shower
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Composting
      Native plants
      Water wise plants
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
      Recycle
      Repair
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Cross flow ventilation
      Indoor plants for air filtration
      Natural light and ventilation
Location
Duncraig WA 6023
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Open with support of
    • Solar Dwellings
    • Builder
    • Danmar Homes
    • Designer
    • Solar Dwellings

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