We moved into the existing 1940 built, 85.5 square metre weatherboard on this site in 1991. This house was uninsulated and very difficult to heat and cool efficiently. We insulated the ceiling, updated the heating appliances, and changed room layouts over the next 8 years. We decided to start again from scratch so demolished the house in 2000.
Our 160 square metre rammed earth house was built in 2000/2001. It had one of the first grid connected solar systems in Melbourne. This well insulated house was designed to maximise solar input in winter whilst excluding the sun in summer.
Hot water was provided by a thermal solar system with an Aquamax gas storage backup.
Heating was primarily by a Rinnai Energysaver gas console heater recycled from the previous house on site. Electric column heaters were also used as required.
99% of glazing is Double Glazed (DG) with either uPVC or Cedar window frames. The heated areas of the house rarely go below 15 degrees in winter.
Updates include: PV sytem upgraded to 4.86kW on 26/05/2017 with battery storage added in 2015 then changed from AGM Lead acid to 6.6kWh lithium in 2020; The solar thermal HWS with gas storage backup was replaced with an Earthworker/Reclaim heat pump HWS on 24/3/2020; A Daikin Nexura heat pump heating/AirCon console unit replaced the existing Rinnai Energysaver for the main living area.
The last gas bill was paid on 24/4/2020.
The garden has been continuously modified, with different layouts tried, and planting adjustments made in accordance with the expectation of aging in place. These include an irrigation system, various permutations of raised garden beds and the provision of a small greenhouse. The focus now is on growing vegies and planting lots of bird and insect attracting plants,
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