» Dungog Healthy Home

Dungog Healthy Home

Our new home in Dungog was conceived as a prototype for future sustainable, healthy homes, designed with bio-climatic principals. It also needed to be affordable and easy to build. Therefore, sustainability, health and affordability were the challenges.

We wanted to build a conventional house whilst getting all the benefits of a non-toxic, comfortable living environment. Our criteria was to use natural materials that could help regulate humidity, together with using insulation that would keep the internal temperature relatively constant. It would be comfortable all year round, without air-conditioning.

We also wanted a home that implemented Livable Housing Guidelines so that it would be ready for all generations, without any modifications. It also had to be net-positive energy house, as all the appliances and hot water are electricity driven. It took a lot of thought.

Sustainability Features

ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES

- Energy efficiency:
- Draught proofing
  Efficient lighting
  Efficient appliances
  Energy monitoring
- Passive heating cooling:
- Cross ventilation
  Passive solar designed home
  Shading
  Thermal mass
- Active heating cooling:
- Ceiling fans
- Active heating cooling:
- Infra-red heating panels, externally ventilated walls and roof
- Water heating:
- Water heated by PV system
- Water harvesting and saving features:
- Above ground rainwater storage
  Stormwater management
  Low flow shower heads
  Low flow taps
- Average water consumption per day:
- 100kL
- Above ground rainwater storage Type:
- Metal tank
- Above ground rainwater storage Size
- 3000L
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- LED lights throughout
  Natural daylight
  Tubular skylight
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- No SMD LED panel lights were used because if these fail the bulbs cannot be replaced, the whole fitting needs to be and we felt this was unsustainable.
- Electric Vehicle Type
- We have an Ev charger, but as yet no electric car.
- Window Protection:
- Awnings (external)
  Blinds

SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS

- Sustainable materials:
- The natural wood fibre insulation used throughout the home is one of the most sustainable (and effective) products that can be used to insulate a building. It comes from renewable forests from Europe, and is recyclable at the end of its' life cycle.

INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS

- Insulation Type:
- Under-roof
  Ceiling
  Internal walls
  External walls
  Floor
- Ceiling Type:
- 100mm natural wood fibre batts from Steico - Flex 036
- Ceiling Rating:
- R2.75
- Floor Type:
- Natural wood-fibre 7 mm (Underfloor from Steico)
- Floor Rating:
- R0.1 (plus cork flooring on top)
- Under Roof Insulation Type:
- Natural wood-fibre high density tongue and grooved boards (60mm) - Steico Protect H
- Under Roof Insulation Rating:
- R1.25
- Internal Walls Insulation Type:
- Natural wood-fibre batts 100mm from Steico, Flex 036
- Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
- R2.75
- External Walls Rating:
- R1.25
- External Walls Type:
- Natural wood fibre high density boards (60mm) from Steico, Protect H

RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS

- All-Electric Home?
- Yes
- Renewable energy used:
- Solar PV grid connect
- Size of PV system:
- 10kW
- Average Daily Energy Consumption:
- 8kW

COSTS AND COST SAVINGS

- Total cost of home when constructed:
- $320,000
- Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
- $500m2
- Estimate of annual savings:
- $4000 - and your health

HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

- House Size
- 158m2
- BAL Rating
- N/A
- Roof
- Metal (Colorbond)
- Wall Materials
- Lightweight construction (timber frame)
- Wall Materials
- Natural wood fibre high density boards (60mm) tongue and grooved (Protect H from Steico), double battens, cement fibre cladding
- Window and Door Types
- Double glazing
  Sun Tunnel/SolaTube
  180 degree opening doors
- Window and Door Types
- uvpc tilt and turn double glazed windows and external doors.
- Universal design accessability
- Adaptive design
  Disability access
  Multi-generational
  Universal access
  Wheelchair 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
  Shower head on rail for various heights
  Slip resistant flooring
  Space around toilets for ease of access in wheelchairs
  Tapware to be easily accessed from outside the shower
  Window openings easily accessible
- Universal Design Features
- 90 cm opening doors 150 cm hallways Reinforced walls in bathroom
- Number of bedrooms
- 3
- Number of bathrooms
- 2

GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION

- Garden / Outdoors
- Organic
  Native plants
  Water wise plants
- Waste Reduction Practices:
- Recycle
  Repair
  Swap with friends and neighbours

HEALTHY HOME FEATURES

- Healthy home features
- Airtight house design
  Cabinet design to minimise dust collection
  Chemical free cleaning products used
  Cross flow ventilation
  Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
  Natural light and ventilation
  No carpets
- Healthy Home
- Internal wall paints are VOC free and vapour open: a vapour open construction - all materials breathable therefore preventing condensation and mould growth due to humidity build up, E0 timber in all internal fitouts,

Dungog Healthy Home 2019

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Dungog Healthy Home

Sustainability Features

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