Rene and Jennie’s House
This house is not opening in person, but you can explore the profile and ask the homeowner a question below.
House Notes – Rene and Jennie’s House
Looks like a tin shed, but built like a concrete bunker!
The house is constructed using concrete tilt panels on concrete slab, coolstorage panel ceiling system with added insulation over the ceiling. Polystyrene insulation over walls down into the soil to 500mm depth.
North-facing double-glazed walls and doors have airtight locking mechanisms. Outer walls are zincalume and the roof is colorbond.
Four kilowatt solar panels are complemented with all-LED lights, induction cooktop and Siddons heat pump for hot water heating. Wood heater for warmth. Own water collection and management. Working on a large food production system, including food-bearing trees.
As owner-builders, our motivation was a quality house with long-term sustainability and future-proofing attributes, low running costs and carbon emissions, and comfort in a cold environment.
The house also achieved 10 stars with the Victorian Residential Efficiency Scorecard. If you would like to find out more click here.
Sustainability Features
- Energy efficiency:
- Draught proofing
Efficient lighting
Efficient appliances
- Passive heating cooling:
- Passive solar designed home
Thermal mass
- Active heating cooling:
- Wood heater
- Water heating:
- Hot water heat pump
- Water harvesting and saving features:
- Stormwater management
Drip irrigation
- Water harvesting and saving
- Terraced gardens
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- LED lights throughout
Natural daylight
- Window Protection:
- Drapes/curtains
- Window Protection:
- External shading to be contructed over north-facing main window
- Sustainable materials:
- Recycled polystyrene for edge beam insulation
- Recycled and reused materials:
- Bricks
Concrete
Insulation
- Other Insulation Methods:
- Insulation to 500mm into the soil around perimeter beams to reduce heat loss from the floors
- All-Electric Home?
- Yes
- Energy star rating:
- 6.9 as per building plan. Further assessment after construction (assessment 12 Sept 2018) 10 stars including 4KW solar PV array
- Renewable energy used:
- Solar PV grid connect
- Size of PV system:
- 4 KW
- Total cost of home when constructed:
- $320,000
- Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
- $100,000
- Estimate of annual savings:
- $3500; annual utility and heating costs $800
- House Size
- 174m2 (144m2 living space)
- Wall Materials
- Concrete tilt panels, outer polystyrene insulation covered by moisture membrane and corrugated zincalume
- Window and Door Types
- Awning
Clerestory windows
Double glazing
- Universal design accessability
- Adaptive design
Disability access
- Universal Design Features
- 100cm minimum door opening width
Hobless showers
Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
No stairs/steps
Strong fittings like towel rails that can be used as hand rails
Tapware to be easily accessed from outside the shower
Window openings easily accessible
- Number of bedrooms
- 3
- Number of bathrooms
- 1
- Garden / Outdoors
- Composting
Drip irrigation
Edible garden
Organic
Permaculture
Native plants
- Healthy home features
- Airtight house design
Indoor plants for air filtration
Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
Natural light and ventilation
Natural oil sealer/finishes
No carpets
- Housing Type:
- Standalone House
- Project Type:
- New Build
- Open with support of
- Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions (BREAZE)
- Builder
- Owner, supported by (Mitch) Dower Construction (builder), Butler Construction (all concrete), Hendricks Plumbing and Invermay Electrics
- Designer
- Owner
Ask questions about this house
Load More Comments