Macedon Ranges Off-Grid 2024

Macedon Ranges Off-Grid

Our 8.6 star off-grid house was built in 2022 and is situated on our 100acre farm in the Macedon Ranges.

We live in a predominantly cold climate (4degC colder than Melbourne) so passive solar heating was a design priority. This has been achieved through a north facing aspect and polished concrete floors throughout. The off-grid house performs well year round with the support of wood fire heating during winter nights and the occasional backup generator run to top up the batteries (120L fuel / yr).

Features include:
– 12kw solar, 24kwh BYD batteries, backup generator.
– R1.3 under-roof blanket, R6 ceiling insulation, R2.5 wall insulation
– Polished concrete slab with R1.4 edge insulation
– uPVC double glazed tilt-turn windows with honeycomb blinds
– Slow combustion wood heater with insulated sealed flue and fresh air intake
– R2.0 heat transfer ducts
– Split A/C (5.5 and 4 star rating)
– Reclaim heat pump hot water service. Tank located in the laundry to reduce heat loss.
– 110,000L water tank
– Waste water treatment
– West facing ventilated drying room
– Heat pump dryer
– Draught-proofing throughout

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
      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
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Colorbond tank
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 110,000L
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
    • Window Protection:
    • Eaves
      Honeycomb blinds
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External walls

    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • 6.0
    • Other Insulation Methods:
    • R1.4 XPS slab edge insulation
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Roof blanket
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • 1.3
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • 2.5
    • External Walls Rating:
    • 2.5
    • External Walls Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • No
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Energy storage/battery
      Solar PV off-grid
    • Size of PV system:
    • 12
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 5
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • 2000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 200
    • BAL Rating
    • BAL – 12.5: Ember attack with heat up to 12.5kW/m2
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Lightweight construction (timber frame)
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double glazing
      Tilt and turn
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 4
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Composting
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Carpet free - tiles/concrete/timber flooring throughout
      Cross flow ventilation
Location
Newham VIC 3442
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Buildtrend Homes
    • Designer
    • SOS Architects

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