The Snail House 2018

House Notes – The Snail House

Our house is a snail-shaped octagonal strawbale house. We were determined that it would be a strawbale house with a little bit of class. It is designed to be energy efficient, and to make full use of passive solar and natural light. The windows are double-glazed and there is generous insulation to complement the strawbales. The power system is off-grid solar with generator backup. It is a very comfortable house to live in and its efficiency has surprised us.

To find out more about the NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme), click here.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2018
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross-ventilation
      Passive solar designed home
      Thermal mass
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Hydronic
      Solar hydronic
    • Water heating:
    • PV thermal
      Solar hot water (evacuated tube)
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Above-ground rainwater storage
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Plastic tank
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 67,000L
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • Natural daylight
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Strawbale
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Doors
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      Floor
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R4.1
    • Floor Type:
    • Bulk – polystyrene board
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Blanket
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R1.3
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • No
    • Energy star rating:
    • 7.7 Stars
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Energy storage/battery
      Solar PV off-grid
    • Size of PV system:
    • 3kW
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $400,000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 220m2
    • BAL Rating
    • BAL – 12.5: Ember attack with heat up to 12.5kW/m2
    • Roof
    • Metal (colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Concrete blocks
      Strawbale
      Timber
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double glazing
      Double hung
      Sliding windows/doors
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Edible garden
      Native plants
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Cross-flow ventilation
      Lime render/wash
Location
Yackandandah VIC 3749
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Fabian Burder
    • Designer
    • Fabian Burder

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