Meg’s Passive House 2024 Update 2024

Meg’s Passive House 2024 Update

We had searched for years for an energy efficient house and realised that we needed to build it ourselves. As we planned the build, we also realised it needed to provide a healthy environment, a quiet, calm space, be resilient, cater to our future ageing needs and importantly it needed to fit onto a tiny 380m2 block. The best solution for most of these criteria was to build a Passive House. The liveable area of the house is about 145m2. Even though the size is small, the house retains a feeling of space and light due to clever use of open areas, high windows and ceilings and large circulation spaces.

The bulk of the floor plan is invested in the living areas – places you spend most of your waking hours. Space is not consumed by extraneous hallways or extra bedrooms. Energy wise, it is fully self sufficient with 13.3 KW solar array, 13 Kw of batteries, electric car and wall charger.

It is well sealed as required by Passive House standards and the walls, roof space and slab are insulated. This ensures little energy is wasted heating and cooling the house. All windows and doors are double glazed and well-sealed. A HRV system provides fresh filtered air constantly and reduces airborne allergens.

We have included ageing-in-place principles including wide doorways, no steps, circulation spaces for wheelchairs, walk in shower and grabrails.

Four courtyard areas ensure we can find a comfortable outdoor area at any time of the year. We have also found space for raised vegetable garden beds, compost bin and worm farm, and have included as many native plantings as possible to encourage insect and bird populations.

We have lived in this house now for nearly one year and have been impressed with its energy efficiency and liveability.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2024
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
      Energy monitoring
      Smart home features
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Deciduous planting around house
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Heat exchange ventilation system
      Split system airconditioner
    • Water heating:
    • Hot water heat pump
      Water heated by PV system
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Rainwater storage - Above ground
      Worm farm septic tank system
      Stormwater management
      Low flow shower heads
      Low flow taps
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • colour bond tank
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 5000L
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Electric Vehicle
    • BYD Atto3 2022
    • Window Protection:
    • Adjustable Shading
      Blinds
      Eaves
      Honeycomb blinds
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Aggregate
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Internal walls
      External walls
      Floor
    • Floor Type:
    • Styroboard XPS - Closed cell Insulation
    • Floor Rating:
    • R1
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • HD Bulk Glass wool batts
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R4
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • R2.7
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R3.5
    • External Walls Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Energy star rating:
    • 8.1
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Energy storage/battery
      Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 13.3 kw
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 14kWh / 2 persons
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • 510000
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • 5000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 145
    • 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
    • Fibre cement,
    • Window and Door Types
    • Clerestory windows
      Double glazing
      Sliding windows/doors
      Tilt and turn

    • Window and Door Types
    • Passive house certified doors & Windows
    • Universal design accessability
    • Adaptive design
      Wheelchair accessible
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      Hobless showers
      Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
      Minimum 110cm wide hallways
      No stairs/steps
      No Corner cupboards
      Ramps and path gradients must be less than 20:1
      Shower head on rail for various heights
      Slip resistant flooring
      Space around toilets for ease of access in wheelchairs
      Strong fittings like towel rails that can be used as hand rails
      Tapware to be easily accessed from outside the shower
      Washing machine/dryer on plynth for easy access
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 2
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 1
    • Healthy Home Materials
    • Airtight house design
      Automated ventilation system
      Cabinet design to minimise dust collection
      Carpet free - tiles/concrete/timber flooring throughout
      Chemical free cleaning products used
      Cross flow ventilation
      Heat recovery ventilation (HRV)
      Indoor plants for air filtration
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Bee hotels/friendly
      Composting
      Edible garden
      Local indigenous plants
      Native plants
      Water wise plants
      Wicking beds
      Worm farm
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
      Make jams/conserves
      Pickle and preserve food
      Recycle
      Repair
      Swap with friends and neighbours
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Automated ventilation system
      Cabinet design to minimise dust collection
      Carpet free - tiles/concrete/timber flooring throughout
      Chemical free cleaning products used
      Cross flow ventilation
      Heat recovery ventilation (HRV)
      Indoor plants for air filtration
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
Location
Harlaxton QLD 4350
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Titainium Homes
    • Designer
    • VHD Studios

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