» Mulga House

Mulga House

Our vision was to build an energy efficient, comfortable, modern family home on our existing block in O’Connor. It was very important to us that we reduce our energy consumption and create a light, bright and airy home that would use solar passive principles to take full advantage of the northern aspect on the long side of the block.

While we wanted to keep to a modest footprint, we also wanted enough space for our small family to be able to spread out when we needed to. It’s been two years since we moved in and we are delighted with the results. The layout of our home suits us very well and is so much more effective than the post-war house we replaced. The sunlight pours in through the north-facing glass and we find we rely less on heating (electric panels) in winter. Cross ventilation and shading mean we haven’t needed air conditioning in summer. We’ve installed PV panels on the roof and a charging point in the garage for our electric car, and we are establishing a relatively water wise garden. We’re pleased with what we’ve achieved so far and would be happy to show the house to other people who are interested in doing something similar.

Visitors are asked to remove their shoes before coming through the house.

Sustainability Features

ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES

- Energy efficiency:
- Draught proofing
  Efficient lighting
- Passive heating cooling:
- Cross ventilation
  Passive solar designed home
  Thermal mass
- Active heating cooling:
- Ceiling fans
- Active heating cooling:
- Wall mounted electric convection heaters
- Water heating:
- Solar hot water (evacuated tube)
- Water harvesting and saving features:
- Above ground rainwater storage
  Drip irrigation
- Above ground rainwater storage Type:
- Slimline poly tank
- Above ground rainwater storage Size
- 5000L
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- Natural daylight
- Electric Vehicle Type
- BMW i3
- Window Protection:
- Adustable Shading
  Solar pergola

SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS

- Sustainable materials:
- Local Canberra Red recycled bricks were used in portions of the facade
- Recycled and reused materials:
- Bricks

INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS

- Insulation Type:
- Ceiling
  Internal walls
  External Walls
  Floor
- Ceiling Type:
- Bulk - glass wool
- Ceiling Rating:
- R5.0
- Floor Type:
- Wafflepod
- Floor Rating:
- R0.5
- Internal Walls Insulation Type:
- Bulk - glass wool
- Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
- R1.5
- External Walls Rating:
- R2.5
- External Walls Type:
- Bulk - glass wool

RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS

- All-Electric Home?
- Yes
- Energy star rating:
- 7.5 Stars
- Renewable energy used:
- Solar PV grid connect
- Size of PV system:
- 3.78kW

COSTS AND COST SAVINGS

- Total cost of home when constructed:
- $560,000
- Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
- $70,000
- Estimate of annual savings:
- $2500

HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

- House Size
- 171m2
- Roof
- Metal (Colorbond)
- Wall Materials
- Brick veneer
  Lightweight construction (timber frame)
- Window and Door Types
- Clerestory windows
  Double glazing
- Universal Design Features
- 80cm minimum door opening width
  Hobless showers
  Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
- Number of bedrooms
- 3
- Number of bathrooms
- 2

GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION

- Garden / Outdoors
- Drip irrigation
  Native plants
  Water wise plants

HEALTHY HOME FEATURES

- Healthy home features
- Airtight house design
  Cross flow ventilation
  Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
  Natural light and ventilation

Mulga House 2018

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Mulga House

Sustainability Features

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