Henry House 2024

House Notes – Henry House

This is a simple house professionally built 13 years ago on a steep, windy 8 ha property. In a bushfire area but the design predates BAL. Construction it is light, but with heavy insulation, double glazing and various measure to control summer heating while retaining views. We use solar hot water, a PV array supplementing mains electricity, wood-fired slow combustion for heating, cooking and hot water in cooler months, otherwise gas cooking. Tanks hold roof water for domestic consumption, vegetable and flower gardens, with a very small amount of irrigation for vines.

Data and phone are via fixed wireless (non-Telstra, non-NBN). The owners keep chooks, have a modest vegetable garden and some fruit trees.

This home is part of a Community Partner event supported by

This house is hosted by Clean Energy Nillumbik and Nillumbik Shire Council.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2019
2020
2021
2024
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Efficient lighting
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Shading
      Thermal mass
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Split system airconditioner
    • Water heating:
    • Solar hot water (flat panel)
      Wood fire wetback
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Rainwater storage - Above ground
      Worm farm septic tank system
      Low flow shower heads
      Low flow taps
      Drip irrigation
    • Average water consumption per day:
    • not known - domestic use not separated from irrigation
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • 4 tanks
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 135,000 litres
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Adjustable Shading
      Awnings (external)
      Blinds
      Eaves
      Solar pergola
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Aggregate
      Concrete
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      External walls
      Floor
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R6.0
    • Floor Type:
    • Wafflepod
    • Floor Rating:
    • R0.63
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Reflective foil
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R1.0
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R6.0 on west, R4.0 elsewhere
    • External Walls Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • No
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect

    • Size of PV system:
    • 5.6kW
    • Renewable energy
    • sustainable timber harvest from property
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 3.0kWh net of solar but excl wood use
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $400,000 in 2010
    • Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
    • $35,000
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • Unknown but total elec & gas pa = less than $100
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 185m2
    • BAL Rating
    • No BAL rating requirements at time of construction
    • Roof
    • Metal (Zincalume)
    • Wall Materials
    • Lightweight construction (timber frame)
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double glazing
      Sliding windows/doors
    • Universal design accessability
    • Multi-generational
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
      Minimum 110cm wide hallways
      No stairs/steps
      Ramps and path gradients must be less than 20:1
      Shower head on rail for various heights
      Strong fittings like towel rails that can be used as hand rails
      Window openings easily accessible
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 2
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 1
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Bee keeping
      Chickens
      Composting
      Drip irrigation
      Orchard
      Natural swimming pool
      Water wise plants
      Wicking beds
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
      Make jams/conserves
      Recycle
      Swap with friends and neighbours
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Carpet free - tiles/concrete/timber flooring throughout
      Cross flow ventilation
      Formaldehyde free cabinets
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural fibre furnishings
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
Location
St Andrews VIC 3761
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Open with support of
    • Clean Energy Nillumbik
    • Builder
    • Peter Bell
    • Designer
    • Ross Henry Architects

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