Not a Hero House - Sustainable House Day

House Notes – Not a Hero House

‘‘Not a Hero House’, a passive solar house in inner-city Melbourne, combines the generosity of a Californian Bungalow with the compactness of an energy efficient design.

This family home aims to reduce operational energy through passive solar and services and minimise embodied energy through compactness and choice of materials.

Passive solar design principles were applied rigorously: zoning, layout, planning, building form, material selection, solar control, cross ventilation and details that reduce thermal bridging. All habitable rooms face north, storage and utility areas face south. The footprint is smaller than that of similar homes.

The materials were chosen for optimum thermal performance and low embodied energy where possible: timber trusses instead of structural steel, recycled brick, FSC certified timbers, double and triple glazed windows and insulated hatches. As a result, the home achieves a rating of 7.4 stars.

The roof is laid out for a 8.7kw Solar PV System, 11,200l of rainwater are connected to garden, WC, laundry, shower and all vanities. Hot water and hydronic underfloor heating rely on heat pumps, there is no gas.

The building is modest but a simple twist in plan, roof overhangs and expressive sunshading give it a generosity like that of a Californian Bungalow.

All donations on the day will support Renew

This house achieved a NatHERS rating of 7.4 stars using NatHERS accredited software (BersPro). Find out how the star ratings work on the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) website.

Sustainability Features

ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES

- Energy efficiency:
- Draught proofing
  Efficient lighting
  Efficient appliances
- Passive heating cooling:
- Cross ventilation
  Passive solar designed home
  Shading
  Thermal mass
- Active heating cooling:
- Ceiling fans
  Heat pump
  Hydronic
  Split system airconditioner
- Water heating:
- Hot water heat pump
- Water harvesting and saving features:
- Above ground rainwater storage
  Low flow shower heads
  Low flow taps
- Average water consumption per day:
- TBD
- Above ground rainwater storage Type:
- Rainwater tanks
- Above ground rainwater storage Size
- 11,200L
- Storage connected to
- Garden
  Toilet
  Laundry
  Whole house
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- LED lights throughout
  Natural daylight
- Window Protection:
- Adjustable Shading
  Automation/controls
  Awnings (external)
  Blinds

SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS

- Sustainable materials:
- Fly ash in concrete, PEFC certified timbers, FSC certified timber veneer
- Recycled and reused materials:
- Bricks
  Timber

INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS

- Insulation Type:
- Under-roof
  Ceiling
  Internal walls
  External walls
  Floor
- Ceiling Type:
- Bulk – glass wool
- Ceiling Rating:
- R6.0
- Floor Type:
- Bulk - polystyrene board
- Floor Rating:
- R2.5
- Internal Walls Insulation Type:
- Bulk – glass wool
- Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
- R2.7
- External Walls Rating:
- R2.7
- External Walls Type:
- Bulk – glass wool

RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS

- All-Electric Home?
- Yes
- Energy star rating:
- 7.4 Stars
- Renewable energy used:
- Solar PV grid connect
- Size of PV system:
- 8.7kW
- Average Daily Energy Consumption:
- 69.7 MJ/sqm annual load for heating and cooling

COSTS AND COST SAVINGS

- Total cost of home when constructed:
- -
- Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
- No additional cost
- Estimate of annual savings:
- TBA

HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

- House Size
- 183m2
- BAL Rating
- BAL – Low: There is insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements
- Roof
- Metal (Colorbond)
- Wall Materials
- Lightweight construction (timber frame)
  Reverse Brick veneer
  Timber
- Window and Door Types
- Double glazing
  Double hung
  Triple glazing
- Universal design accessability
- Multi-generational
- 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
  Minimum 110cm wide hallways
  No stairs/steps
- Number of bedrooms
- 4
- Number of bathrooms
- 2

GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION

- Garden / Outdoors
- Water wise plants
- Waste Reduction Practices:
- Recycle

HEALTHY HOME FEATURES

- Healthy home features
- Cross flow ventilation
  Indoor plants for air filtration
  Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
  Natural light and ventilation
  Natural oil sealer/finishes
  No carpets

Not a Hero House 2019

This house is not opening in person, but you can explore the profile and ask the homeowner a question below.

House Notes – Not a Hero House

Sustainability Features

Ask questions about this house