Eco Beach House 2024

Eco Beach House

We (Rebecca and Kieran) planned our Eco Beach House during Melbourne’s lockdown 2020-2021. We started with one of the pre-approved designs from the Cape Ecovillage – the Mindil design (architect Adam Dettrick). We made some alterations to the floorplan in consultation with our builders, TS Constructions. The 4 bedroom/2 bathroom house was built January 2022 – June 2023.

The house has solar panels, a battery, double glazing, optimal solar orientation, and a rainwater tank for watering the garden and flushing the toilets. The house is filled with light, has great views, and is a comfortable temperature all year round. We end up paying almost nothing for electricity.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2024
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
      Split system airconditioner
    • Water heating:
    • Hot water heat pump
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Rainwater storage - Above ground
      Grey water system
    • Average water consumption per day:
    • 250
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Cement tank
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 10000L
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
      Solar skylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Awnings (external)
      Drapes/curtains
      Eaves
      Honeycomb blinds
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Macquarie Wood Stone blocks (used in garage, kitchen, living, and studio) are made from recycled wood chip, glass and rice hulls.
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External walls
      Floor
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – natural wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R6.0
    • Floor Type:
    • Wafflepod
    • Floor Rating:
    • R0.6
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Reflective foil
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R1.0
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – natural wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • R2.5
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R2.5
    • External Walls Type:
    • Bulk – natural wool
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Energy storage/battery
      Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 7
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 2.5
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $577,000 June 2023
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • $2000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 158m2 (house) plus 39m2 (garage)
    • BAL Rating
    • BAL – Low: There is insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Lightweight construction (timber frame)
      Metal (Colorbond)

    • Wall Materials
    • Weathertex, Wood Stone Macquarie Blocks
    • Window and Door Types
    • Awning
      Clerestory windows
      Double glazing
      Skylights
      Sliding windows/doors
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 4
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Local indigenous plants
      Native plants
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
      Recycle
      Repair
      Swap with friends and neighbours
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Carpet free - tiles/concrete/timber flooring throughout
      Cross flow ventilation
      Indoor plants for air filtration
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural fibre furnishings
      Natural light and ventilation
Location
Cape Paterson VIC 3995
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • TS Constructions
    • Designer
    • Adam Dettrick

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