Waunlli – Myrtleford self build rammed earth 2023

Waunlli – Myrtleford self build rammed earth

With self sufficiency foremost in our minds, we set out to build a low impact high efficiency passive solar home for our family. Built in 2 stages, we moved in in 2008, and presently the 2nd stage is nearing completion. The only outside connections to society are phones and NBN. Rainwater is collected into a 150 kl tank supplemented by a bore as needed. Power is home made with 5.6 kW solar and 54 kW of batteries. Waste is consumed in our “worm” septic and used to irrigate the home orchard. The property uses permaculture principals and land regeneration to encourage biodiversity.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2023
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Deciduous planting around house
      Passive solar designed home
      Thermal mass
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans

    • Active heating cooling:
    • combustion heater
    • Water heating:
    • Solar hot water (evacuated tube)

    • Water heating:
    • LPG back up
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Rainwater storage - Above ground
      Worm farm septic tank system
      Stormwater management
      Low flow shower heads
      Low flow taps
      Drip irrigation
    • Average water consumption per day:
    • 300litres
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • tanks
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 150 000 and 2x 25 000 tanks
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Electric Vehicle Type
    • Volvo XC40 pure electric
    • Window Protection:
    • Deciduous tree/vegetation
      Drapes/curtains
      Eaves
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Soil for rammed earth used directly from house site
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Appliances
      Benchtops
      Rocks/stone
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      Internal walls
      Floor
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • 5
    • Floor Type:
    • Wafflepod
    • Floor Rating:
    • 0.63
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • builders blanket
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • 1.8
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • 2.5
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • No
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Energy storage/battery
      Solar PV off-grid
    • Size of PV system:
    • 5.6 kW
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 3 kW
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • 8000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 340
    • BAL Rating
    • BAL – 19: Increasing levels of ember attack and ignition of debris with a heat flux of up to 19kW/m2
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Rammed earth
      Timber
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double glazing
      Double hung
      Low-e, films
      Sliding windows/doors
    • Universal design accessability
    • Multi-generational
      Universal access
      Wheelchair accessible
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      Contrasting colours and material for vision impaired
      Flush thresholds (no lip) to all external doors
      Hobless showers
      Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
      No stairs/steps
      No Corner cupboards
      Power points at 60cm above floor level and 50cm from internal corners
      Ramps and path gradients must be less than 20:1
      Rocker style light switches
      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
      Window openings easily accessible
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 4
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Bee keeping
      Bee hotels/friendly
      Bird-nesting boxes
      Composting
      Drip irrigation
      Edible garden
      Greenhouse
      Local indigenous plants
      Orchard
      Organic
      Permaculture
      Native plants
      Swales
      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
      Cabinet design to minimise dust collection
      Chemical free cleaning products used
      Cross flow ventilation
      Formaldehyde free cabinets
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural light and ventilation
      VOC free paints/sealer/varnish
Location
Myrtleford VIC 3737
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • owner
    • Designer
    • Sunjoule

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