Rossmoyne Eco House 2024

Rossmoyne Eco House

Our new sustainable home has been performing superbly for a full year and is fantastically comfortable to live in. For 2023, our total energy cost was $600 which we should improve upon further now that we know how to drive these costs lower. (A large part of these costs were fixed costs, not consumption costs). The annual energy cost of the original house that we demolished to build the new house was about $3,600. Regarding water use, our average consumption is now 300 litres/day whereas our old conventional house, with swimming pool and lawn, was using 1,200 litres/day during the summer.

If the cost of vehicles is included, with an EV we pay zero for petrol and pretty much zero for servicing whereas a single ICE vehicle cost us an average of $1,250 in petrol per year and $1,200 for servicing.

For the technically minded, the house is built using SIPS (structurally insulated panels) and uses a heat recovery ventilator (HRV). Double glazing is used throughout and we also have hydronic cooling of the living area concrete slab during the summer. A 10,000 litre underground rainwater tank has been fitted and we use that to supply the toilets and hydronic cooling. We also use grey water to irrigate the garden. The solar system consists of 6.6 kW panel array, a 5 kW inverter and a 10 kWh battery with blackout protection.

Living in the cool, quiet environment that our house provides is a privileged luxury! All houses should be built like it!

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2024
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
      Energy monitoring
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Heat recovery ventilation system
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Heat exchange ventilation system
      Heat pump
      Hydronic
    • Water heating:
    • Hot water heat pump
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Rainwater storage - Underground
      Grey water system
      Low flow shower heads
    • Average water consumption per day:
    • 300 l/day
    • Underground rainwater storage type:
    • GRAF Platin XL tank
    • Underground rainwater storage Size:
    • 10,000 l
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
      Skylight
    • Electric Vehicle Type
    • Tesla
    • Window Protection:
    • Awnings (external)
      Blinds
      Drapes/curtains
      Eaves
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Grey water used for irrigation. Rainwater tank (10,000 l) used for hydronic cooling and toilet flushing.
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Aggregate
      Bricks
      Paving
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External walls
      Floor
    • Floor Type:
    • Hydronic pad
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Insulated panels
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • 1.3
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Insulated panel system
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • 2.8
    • External Walls Rating:
    • 3.57
    • External Walls Type:
    • Insulated panel system
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Energy star rating:
    • 7.4
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Energy storage/battery
      Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 6.6 kW
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 1 kWh
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $960,000 (2022)
    • Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
    • $150,000
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • $6,000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 287 m2
    • BAL Rating
    • BAL – Low: There is insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Insulated panels or blocks
    • Window and Door Types
    • Awning
      Clerestory windows
      Double glazing
      Low-e, films
      Pocket doors
      Skylights
      Sliding windows/doors
    • Universal design accessability
    • Adaptive design
      Multi-generational
      Universal access
      Wheelchair accessible
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      Flush thresholds (no lip) to all external doors
      Kitchen bench/table for wheelchairs to access (75-85cm high)
      Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
      Lift/elevator
      Minimum 110cm wide hallways
      Pocket doors so that cabinet doors are out of the way
      Space around toilets for ease of access in wheelchairs
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 3
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Composting
      Drip irrigation
      Edible garden
      Native plants
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
      Make jams/conserves
      Recycle
      Repair
      Swap with friends and neighbours
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Carpet free - tiles/concrete/timber flooring throughout
      Cross flow ventilation
      Heat recovery ventilation (HRV)
      Indoor plants for air filtration
      Natural light and ventilation
Location
Rossmoyne WA 6148
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Highbury Homes (Tim Higham Tim@highburyhomes.com.au)
    • Designer
    • Justin Smith (jus.archi@gmail.com)

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