SHD2016

House #2: East Geelong

Homeowners’ story

Since purchasing their 1950s brick veneer almost five years ago, Jane and Quentin have transformed it from a zero to 6.3 star energy rating! Their objective was to ‘live the dream’ by finding out if the theory about insulation, energy efficiency and passive solar design worked in practice, and to quantify how much it costs and the impact on quality of life.
The house was very run down, and needed a complete renovation to be made habitable. Plans were developed that maximised the northerly aspect. /

The house has been restumped, rewired, re-roofed and totally insulated. Internal walls have been removed and large north-facing windows and doors installed. All windows are now either double glazed or low E. The renovation included two new bathrooms and a new kitchen. The gas heating has been replaced with an efficient reverse cycle AC.

Insights & Learnings
The planning phase is tedious and time consuming but very important. Blocking up gaps and drafts is critical.
Insulation: Insulation is the most cost effective way to increase thermal efficiency and comfort in the house. It’s more cost and time effective to have insulation installed than to do it ourselves. Subfloor insulating is not for the faint hearted – great for core strength, not so good for claustrophobia. The insulation has moderated internal temperatures to a minimum of 15oC this winter and a maximum of 27oC last summer (without air-conditioning).
Thermal comfort: Having a north facing, passive solar house is fabulous. The light enters the house in winter and stays out in summer. Honeycomb blinds are brilliant in keeping heat in in winter, and out in summer. External shading is important in summer for keeping the house cool on hot summer days. /

Shop around for the best prices. Buying online is sometimes quicker and cheaper than buying locally. Ebay and Gumtree are great sources of materials. Ikea has some excellent, cost effective products.

Where possible and practical, we did the work ourselves. This is not always the best decision: some tasks trades people do better as they have the right tools, the equipment and the experience.

Sustainability Features

Category / Features
House type / Owner builder, Retrofit & Renovation
Lifestyle / Urban, Adults
Building type / 1950s brick veneer
Design / Passive solar
Sustainable materials / Joinery, low VOC paints, plasterboard, bricks, paving, doors, windows
Energy efficiency / Ceiling (batts and thermal blanket), underfloor & in-wall insulation, LED lighting (closed units with termite covers), power saving switches, sealed fans in bathrooms and kitchen stop heat loss in winter.
Heating & cooling / Energy efficient reverse cycle AC, cross ventilation, passive solar heating in winter and shading in summer.
Water heating / Gas
Fixtures & fittings / Double glazedPaarhammer feature window, double glazed windows from Pickering and Canterbury windows, low e glass, honeycombblinds (Ikea) heavy drapes
Water harvesting / Low flow shower & taps, drip irrigation
Garden/Outdoors / hardy drought tolerant plants & native, fruit trees, edible garden is ready for summer planting
Waste mgt / Composting
Suppliers & sources / Ebay - Parhammar window, ensuite window, rangehood, basin
Belmont Timber and Hardware – subfloor insulation
Bunnings - R4.5 Earthwool, paint, fittings and fixtures, carpet
Restoration Barn - stove
Barwon Timber - skirting boards, matching architraves, decking
Fans - Fanaway, Beacon Lighting, Bunnings (IXL fan) & Ikea
Daikin - US7 reverse cycle AC

Experts & SUPPLIERS Onsite on SHD

  • Owner builders & sustainability experts - Jane & Quentin
  • Insulation expert - Kayne Boullion, Enviroflex


Paarhammer window actions
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