Ormerod family home 2025

Ormerod family home

This house was built by my parents during the 1940s and our family has lived in it since then. It was a three bedroom double brink construction. Over the years we have added a granny flat at the rear and enclosed the front veranda. One of the first things my wife and I did when we moved in to assist my aging mother was the put on solar hot water. We later added solar panels and a water tank. We put in a skylight in the dining area because the extension for the granny flay cut off natural light and in the living area because the encloed veranda cut off natural light. Over the last fourty years of our occupancy we have upgraded the solar panels three times and added a small battery. The first paels cost around $16k, but prices have fallen dramatically since then. We have owned three hybrids in that time, but now have a fully electric car (Atto 3) powered by our solar panels. Initially we had gas installed in the mistaken idea it was more environmentally sustainable, but switched to all electric when the evidence became clear that was not the case. We now have an induction cooktop. All major applicances are chosen on the basis of energy efficiency. LED lights are used throughout apart from two flourescent light fittings. The kichen cupboards are all original, over 70 years old; similarly the original bathtub and bathroom floor titles are still in place. We compost kitchen scraps and lawn clippings, grass is cut with an electric mower. We had roof insulation with a paper/borax slurry installed by my brother-in-law. we installed a passive heating/cooling system which uses the roof cavity (Ventis) supplemented by energy efficient air-conditioning units in the kitchen, living room and two bed rooms. We have a small veggie garden, mainly so our grandchildren can taste fresh produce. Since taking occupancy of the family home my wife and I have done whatever we can think of to make the home more sustainable and energy efficient. Currently our 6kw solar system exports 10-15 times more than we draw from the grid, saving money and reducing our carbin footprint significantly. This includes dual residence with the granny flat.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2025
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Deciduous planting around house
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Heat exchange ventilation system
      Split system airconditioner
    • Water heating:
    • Solar hot water (flat panel)
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Rainwater storage - Above ground
      Low flow shower heads
      Low flow taps
      Drip irrigation
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • tank
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 4000l
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
      Skylight
    • Electric Vehicle
    • Atto 3 BYD
    • Window Protection:
    • Awnings (external)
      Blinds
      Deciduous tree/vegetation
      Drapes/curtains
      Eaves
      Solar pergola
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Cans
      Glass
      Insulation
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Ceiling
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – recycled paper
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Energy storage/battery
      Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 6 wk
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 1 kw
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • BAL Rating
    • No BAL rating requirements at time of construction
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
      Metal (Galvanised)
      Tiles (Clay)
    • Wall Materials
    • Brick veneer
      Double brick
    • Window and Door Types
    • Awning
      Skylights
      Sliding windows/doors
    • Universal Design Features
    • Loud doorbell/connected to flashing light
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 4
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
    • Healthy Home Materials
    • Cross flow ventilation
      Indoor plants for air filtration
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Composting
      Drip irrigation
      Edible garden
      Local indigenous plants
      Native plants
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
      Recycle
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Cross flow ventilation
      Indoor plants for air filtration
Location
Kingsgrove NSW 2208
    • Housing Type:
    • stand alone house with attached granny flat
    • Project Type:
    • Continual Improvement

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