Retirement by the lake 2024

Retirement by the lake

We built our own home with traditional materials before we fully understood the need and techniques for sustainability. Did include some things like a little double glazing, cross ventilation, aspect planning and wide eaves but oh so many opportunities missed. We have gradually worked on improvements:-
Rainwater tanks
Solar panels
Converted away from gas…
Solar hot water
Heat pump a/c heating /cooling
Induction stove top
Electric BBQ
Electric vehicles (starting with Prius, converted it to plug-in, but now Holden Volt and Tesla Y)
Home battery and grid gateway
Energy saving pool pump
Smart car charger
Super insulated ceiling
Experimented with sealing and triple glazing key windows.
Small veggie bed fed from pond water (semi aquaponic)

Our PV, battery and EV investments have achieved net zero power bills for over a decade. We power our house and cars virtually completely from our roof.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2024
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
      Energy monitoring
      Smart home features
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      External planting
      Shading
      Thermal chimney
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Heat pump
    • Water heating:
    • Solar hot water (flat panel)
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Rainwater storage - Above ground
      Drip irrigation
    • Average water consumption per day:
    • 150 li
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • 2 Polyethylene tanks
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 6000 li and 12,000 li
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
      Skylight
    • Electric Vehicle
    • Tesla Y, Holden Volt
    • Window Protection:
    • Blinds
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Steel lintels
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Appliances
      Bricks
      Concrete
      Doors
      Floorboards
      Light fixtures / fittings
      Pallets
      Paving
      Rocks/stone
      Timber

INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External walls
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R5
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Reflective foil
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R.5
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • R1.5
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R1.5
    • External Walls Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Energy storage/battery
      Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 9kw pv, 27kw battery
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 8.5 kwh
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $350k owner built 2004, 9kw PV and 27kwh batteries added over 14 years total $47k
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 500m2
    • BAL Rating
    • No BAL rating requirements at time of construction
    • Roof
    • Tiles (Clay)
    • Wall Materials
    • Brick veneer
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double glazing
      Sliding windows/doors
      Triple glazing
    • Universal design accessability
    • Adaptive design
      Multi-generational
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
      Loud doorbell/connected to flashing light
      Minimum 110cm wide hallways
      Rocker style light switches
      Semi recessed basins
      Shower head on rail for various heights
      Slip resistant flooring
      Space around toilets for ease of access in wheelchairs
      Strong fittings like towel rails that can be used as hand rails
      Window openings easily accessible
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 5
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 4
    • Healthy Home Materials
    • Cross flow ventilation
      Natural light and ventilation
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Aquaponics
      Composting
      Edible garden
      Native plants
      Wicking beds
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
      Recycle
      Repair
      Recycle coffee grounds from nearby cafe's
      Take own containers to the supermarket and for take away food
      Swap with friends and neighbours
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Cross flow ventilation
      Natural light and ventilation
Location
Oak Flats NSW 2529
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • Retrofit/addition
    • Builder
    • Self
    • Designer
    • Self

Ask questions about this house

Load More Comments
Name
Email
Comment
Leave Comment