The house was built in 1986 on a 1.86 ha block sloping downhill towards the North, and built with a N-facing orientation. The majority of the window surface is facing North, allowing maximum entry of light and passive solar heating in winter. A 1.5 m wide pergola on the N side is covered with grape vines. When in leaf, the vines shade the N side of the house and keep the inside cooler. In winter, the vines drop their leaves and allow sunlight to enter and heat the house. 64 solar panels cover the N side of the roof area producing a potential 3.8 kw/hr of electricity to power the house plus helping to shade the house in summer. The house is single-glazed, but blinds and drapes help insulate the house. Rain water is harvested and stored in 2 x 28,000 L concrete tanks, so no water bills. Waste water and sewage are treated in separate septic tanks and disposed of on site. Fuel for the wood heater is all grown on site. Lighting is mainly LED. The kitchen is all-electric. We might use the split-system air conditioner a doz. times/yr. We pay no electricity bills. Occasional use of our LPG gas heater means we do have a gas bill. The property is large enough for us to grow much of the fruit and vegetables we need and provide a pleasant and green environment in which to live.
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