Our SDG house for people and planet - Sustainable House Day

House Notes – Our SDG house for people and planet

We have built a little house out the backyard to try and be more sustainable with energy, water and native habitat for birds and our two resident bobtail goannas.

We use half the energy we generate from our solar panels and have a water tank that feeds our toilet and cupboard laundry and a tiny creek when it overflows. We built the sustainable house under gum trees we planted when we moved in to the old front house in 1996. This home has been built to passive solar design principles maximising north facing windows for thermal mass, windows and doors are positioned to promote cooling summer breezes that are helped along by some carefully positioned ceiling fans. These windows produce a lot of natural light and ventilation making the home healthier to live in.

Designed for universal access we have incorporated larger doorways and hallways, lever style door handles and to reduce trip hazards we have hobless showers and flush thresholds.

We have a cute little attic and love the extra storage space it provides.

View Petcha Kucha presentation from SHD2020 SHD2020 OSDG Home Pecha Kulcha

Solar Dwellings is opening this house on March 19 as part of Sustainable House Day:

We have two tours available on Sunday 19th March 2023.
Booking is essential, please book here: humanitix.com/shd23-sdg_house
Cost $5 per person (+ GST and booking fee) with 100% of the ticket cost going to Shenton Park Dogs Refuge.
Addresses will be provided on Wednesday 15th March via email

Sustainability Features

ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES

- Energy efficiency:
- Efficient lighting
- Passive heating cooling:
- Cross ventilation
  Passive solar designed home
  Shading
  Thermal mass
- Active heating cooling:
- Ceiling fans
- Water heating:
- Solar hot water (flat panel)
- Water harvesting and saving features:
- Low flow shower heads
- Average water consumption per day:
- 200 L
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- LED lights throughout
  Natural daylight
- Window Protection:
- Adjustable Shading
  Awnings (external)
  Blinds
  Deciduous tree/vegetation
  Drapes/curtains
  Pelmets
  Shade Sails

INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS

- Insulation Type:
- Under-roof
  Ceiling
  External walls
- Ceiling Type:
- Bulk – natural wool
- Ceiling Rating:
- 4.5
- Under Roof Insulation Type:
- Reflective foil
- Under Roof Insulation Rating:
- 4.5
- External Walls Type:
- Reflective insulation

RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS

- All-Electric Home?
- Yes
- Renewable energy used:
- Solar PV grid connect
- Size of PV system:
- 3.6 kW

COSTS AND COST SAVINGS

- Total cost of home when constructed:
- $250,000
- Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
- $30,000
- Estimate of annual savings:
- $1500

HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

- House Size
- 115m2
- Roof
- Metal (Colorbond)
- Wall Materials
- Double brick
- Window and Door Types
- Pocket doors
  Sliding windows/doors
- Universal design accessability
- Universal access
- Universal Design Features
- 80cm minimum door opening width
  Flush thresholds (no lip) to all external doors
  Hobless showers
  Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
  Shower head on rail for various heights
- Number of bedrooms
- 2
- Number of bathrooms
- 1

GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION

- Garden / Outdoors
- Chickens
  Composting
  Edible garden
  Native plants
  Water wise plants
- Waste Reduction Practices:
- Compost all food scraps
  Recycle
  Repair
  Swap with friends and neighbours

HEALTHY HOME FEATURES

- Healthy home features
- Cross flow ventilation
  Natural light and ventilation

Our SDG house for people and planet 2023

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

House Notes – Our SDG house for people and planet

Sustainability Features

View the house tour

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