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BENEFITS OF AN ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME OR ECO HOME                

Here are some of the main benefits of building your home with energy efficiency and your environment in mind. They include lower utilities bills, more comfortable living, better health and reducing the negative impacts on our environment.

Lower energy and water bills..... By installing energy efficient items in your home such as LED lighting, solar panels and solar hot water as well as choosing the right types of heating and cooling, your electricity and gas bills can be substantially lower than if you don’t give consideration to the cost of running your home during the pre-build stages.  Of course the choice of each item is entirely up to you, but to achieve optimal energy efficiency it is important to give consideration to each of these factors to determine the best option for your homes climate. Reducing your water consumption is also a good way to have a home which is more eco friendly.  Water tanks of various sizes can be installed and can be as simple as just being used to flush your toilets, or can be as elaborate as using grey water for the gardens and storing fresh water for drinking and almost eliminating the need for town water.  Your plumbing fixtures will also play a big role in reducing water consumption so planning to include items with the highest WELS star rating particularly for showers and toilets will help reduce your usage.

A cleaner environment..... By designing your home correctly, you will actually have very little requirement to use heaters and air-conditioners which of course all add negatively to our environment, using up fuels, drying out the air and just making your home environment less natural. When designing your home you can consider the rules of “reduce, re-use and recycle”.  Whilst homes over the years have become larger in size, people are actually beginning to see the overall benefit of downsizing their home. Reducing the size will help to use less energy and less building materials meaning an overall cost reduction both now and in the future.  Re-using existing materials perhaps from a second hand supplier will help the environment as well as using recycled items rather than them going to landfill.  If you prefer not to re-use or recycle you can choose from a range of new building products which have been designed with the environment in mind.  Sustainable building materials are manufactured by using up waste materials which reduces the quantity of raw materials required and also reduces the amount of waste which would have otherwise been landfill.

Comfortable living and better health..... When your home is built with energy efficiency and the environment in mind, it can be an absolute sanctuary.  You can enjoy passive heating. Imagine sitting in your sun filled lounge room on a Winters’ day (this is my favourite thing about passive heating, it’s the best place in the home on a sunny Winter afternoon). During Summer your home is naturally cooled by the evening breeze. When built with energy efficiency in mind, you can be assured it won’t heat up again until late in the afternoon (if at all), eliminating the need for running the air conditioner.  (I do find the exception to this is when we have above 3 consecutive days at 40 degrees c, where the overnight temperature also remains high – unfortunately the need for air-conditioning is generally required during this period of time.  In our local climate, this only happens a couple of times a year). You can choose building materials with low chemical emissions such as low VOC paints, floor coverings, joinery and furnishings.  Again, the choice is yours as to how extreme you want or need to be when designing your home with energy efficiency and eco friendly building practices in mind.

As you can see many factors can be considered when designing how energy efficient and eco friendly you would like your home to be.

Stay connected to us for our next topic which will cover the basic planning process of things to consider when wanting to build an energy efficient home.

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This ensuite has 2 solar powered Illume skylights to give off natural looking lighting. These are great for passages or dark corners of the home. They also work well to brighten up your kitchen or laundry. #illumeskylights #solarcityecohomes #luxuryensuite #luxurybathroom #skylights #ledlights #energyefficienthomes #energyefficientlighting https://www.instagram.com/p/By-WsHdFXf1/?igshid=1a4g06ud090uf

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WHY BUILD AN ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME?                    

“What is an energy efficient home?”  and “What are the benefits of an energy efficient home?”

What is an energy efficient home? A home in which you can live comfortably and consumes less energy than a regular home is one which has been designed with energy efficiency in mind.  Electricity and gas bills are lower and sometimes non-existent.  There are many factors involved in reducing the energy consumption of your home.  Some choose to build a home which can run completely “off grid” whereas others are just happy to design their home for comfortable living and enjoy reduced energy bills. Modern advances in building materials, fixtures, fittings and appliances allow you to build a home which is both energy efficient and also quite normal in appearance and functionality. In the coming months my Blogs will be discussing the various features of an energy efficient home in more detail.  Below is an outline of the general benefits of an energy efficient home.  

What are the benefits of an energy efficient home? The benefits include lower energy bills (both gas and electricity) and lower water bills through reduced consumption.  Your home will provide a cleaner environment without constant use of heating and cooling systems which dry out our homes atmosphere. By also choosing sustainable building products your home is contributing to the overall reduction of landfill and using less valuable resources to produce the building materials.  An energy efficient home provides more comfortable living combined with better health.  In a home which has been designed to be energy efficient, you will enjoy natural sunlight in your home and abundant fresh air because your home has been designed to easily take advantage of these natural heating, cooling and ventilation elements. Also building with low chemical emission products can help make your home a more comfortable and healthy environment.

Our next Blog will cover in detail each of these benefits and how they improve the quality and efficiency of your home.

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This lovely home has had R2.5 Bradford Optimo floor insulation installed this week. It will be so much warmer over winter now. #energyefficienthomes #solarcityecohomes #bradfordinsulation #homeinsulation #cosywinter #warmhome https://www.instagram.com/p/BxR_ui0llTC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16knqvneh2h73

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Happy Easter everyone. Hope you all enjoy relaxing with family and friends over the Easter break. #eastertime #relax #entertainingathome #homesanctuary #solarcityecohomes #buildinghomes #homebuilder #dreamhome https://www.instagram.com/p/BwfpA4UnJ1O/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1d5xloswhng6j

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Looking for the most straightforward path to build your new home? We have set procedures to guide you through every step. Contact us before you even buy your land to utilise the best passive building practices. An energy efficient home is our passion. #solarcityecohomes #energyefficientbuilding #newhomebuilder #buildingprocess #ecohomes https://www.instagram.com/p/BwCG29Elqyr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ndv0zcqflmoq

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Almost finished this Sun Room addition for an older gentleman who wants to relax in comfort during his retired years reading and enjoying music. A double brick with Northerly window orientation will make this a beautiful spot to sit during winter. #sunroom #solarcityecohomes #retirement #lovelife #passiveheating https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv2WPsinkAg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=kkswcmxcs5sm

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Encouraging our new apprentice to achieve his dreams. Thought these couple of gifts would tell him we're always there to help. The Barefoot Investor to help him with his finances and a Trademutt shirt to support mental health awareness. Jake, we're glad to have you on our team. Keep up the great work! #apprenticelifeskills #apprenticetradie #barefootinvestor #trademutt #tradie https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv0zorsF9KZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hmm2gm67y2kw

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Modern LED lighting. #lighting #LEDlights #solarcityecohomes #ecolighting #beautifulhome https://www.instagram.com/p/BvYeGisnOCF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mlu0ex25ftof

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It's the weekend. Take the time to relax and unwind! #weekendfreedom #simplehomestyle #solarcityecohomes #ecohome #energyefficienthomes https://www.instagram.com/p/BvU84C-nVle/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1riaexqt4w4ng

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GLAZING FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Helping you understand window  components and ratings

What type of glazing does my home need, to be energy efficient you might ask.  Do I need double glazed windows, argon filled windows and what is the U-Value and SHGC measurement that is listed on my home plans?  Let’s take a look at some of these factors to help you understand what they mean and how they will work to make your home more comfortable.

U-Value

It’s commonly known that insulation is measured in terms of an R-Value and the higher the R value the better your home is insulated, so to help explain a U-value, it is actually the inverse of an R-Value. Ideally, you want your window to have a low U-Value rating. Ratings are typically specified between 2 – 10, so a U-value in the lower spectrum is ideal to ensure warmth stays inside the home.

 U-Values measure how well a product prevents heat from escaping.   A U-Value measures the rate of non solar heat transfer via conduction and convection. It is also important to note that the calculation of a U-Value considers the whole of the window, which includes the frame, glass, seals and spacers. 

 SHGC

Solar Heat Gain Co-efficient (SHGC) measures how much heat can be blocked from the sun via the window.  SHGC is measured between 0 – 1 so if your window has a .58 measurement, this means that 58% of the heat from the sun will be penetrating through the window.  Since homes in the Shepparton region are looking to gain heat through their North facing windows, they will be looking for a window with a high SHGC.  This will allow the winter sun to penetrate into the home, warming it up.  It will be important though to ensure this window has good shading in the Summer months to ensure unwanted heat gain. For other windows in the home, which might endure some Summer sunlight, a low SHGC would ensure less heat penetrating the home.

VT

Visible transmittance (VT) is referring to how much light transfers through a window as a percentage.  A measurement of .61 means that 61% of light will come through this window.  Measurement of VT ranges between 0 – 1 so the higher the number, the more light that will be transmitted.

Air Infiltration

Looking to achieve optimum energy efficiency in your home?  Air infiltration is a key factor.  Windows, if not made or installed correctly can contribute to a large amount of heat loss or gain through cracks in the assembly.  A home can be tested for air infiltration and is measured as L/s m2. (leakage per second per square metre). The lower the air infiltration figure, the more you will improve your energy rating.

Double glazing

New homes are commonly installing double or even triple glazed windows to help improve energy efficiency. These windows combine multiple glass panes into a single window system.  Each layer of glass is separated by a spacer and a still layer of air or gas. The glass panes are assembled into a window frame.  The space between panes generally ranges between 6mm to 20mm however 12mm and above is recommended for optimum thermal performance.  The space between the panes of glass acts as an insulator, therefore reducing any unwanted transfer of extreme heat or cool into your home.  Argon gas is commonly used to fill between the glass panes as it has low conductivity properties.  The added benefit of multiple glazed windows is that it also reduces noise from outside.

Size

Glazing will play a pivotal role in enabling thermal mass to work during the winter months.  A good rule of thumb is for your North facing windows to be at least 15% of your floor area to ensure adequate heating is achieved.  Our local area would benefit from 20% ratio.

Further Help

Glazing is rated by the Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS). To understand more about how windows affect the comfort of your home you can visit the WERS frequently asked questions page via the following link: https://www.wers.net/werscontent/faqs

If you need help selecting the right windows for your climate zone, you can download a guide from the following link: https://www.wers.net/werscontent/how-to-select-windows

Alternatively, compare the savings and benefits of different window types with the “Window Tool” via the following link: http://www.efficientglazing.net/userguide.aspx (The Window Comparison Tool allows comparison of different WERS Certified window products against a base window. It is important to understand that the results displayed by this tool are generic. They are based on generic house types with specified insulation levels, specified design and the same window installed in every opening in the house).

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  THERMAL MASS                                                                  

What is thermal mass? How do I incorporate thermal mass into my home design?  One of the key factors to heating your home and also keeping it cool is thermal mass. That is, a high density material such as tiled or concrete flooring or an internal or external brick wall which can hold absorbed heat or cool and radiate this into your home for many hours.  It is essential to get the correct placement of thermal mass otherwise it can serve as your worst enemy, storing unwanted heat.

Thermal Mass Flooring

A high density material such as tiles or concrete will make an ideal thermal mass flooring.  However, for your thermal mass to be effective in Winter, it must have access to the sun in order to heat up.  Thermal mass will require several hours of sun exposure throughout the day in order to warm to a capacity where it will store and radiate heat throughout the evening.  The more sun exposure your thermal mass has, the warmer it will become and the longer it will be able to generate heat.  Some aspects which attribute to the value of the thermal mass include the thickness of your thermal mass (the thicker it is, the longer it can store heat), the colour of the mass (darker colours tend to become hotter quicker), the surface coating (a matte finish will attract more heat than a gloss or reflective finish) and also its exposure to air movement (particularly important if you are using the thermal mass to expel heat or conduct cool during the Summer months).

Thermal Mass Walls

The placement of a thermal mass wall inside your home can be a tremendous benefit, particularly if you are able to position it between the northern living area and the Southern sleeping area. An example of this may be a dark coloured brick internal wall which has solar access throughout the day, allowing it to warm up and then radiate heat into the bedrooms throughout the evening. Thermal mass walls can also be external and can be designed to absorb heat to radiate inside. An example of this is a Trombe wall, something which is not widely known but can be very effective.  This type of wall features a glass external layer and a high heat capacity internal layer separated by a layer of air. Sunlight passes through the glass and is then is absorbed by the wall, trapping the heat and radiating it into your home. Other important factors It is important to ensure appropriate insulation to your home otherwise the generation of heat or cool will be quickly lost.  You should also remember that thermal mass will be a huge liability if placed incorrectly.  Ensure thermal mass is shielded from sun during Summer months otherwise it will store an abundance of unwanted heat.  Thermal mass can be a very useful tool for keeping your home cool and warm as required and there can be many factors to consider. I highly recommend reading the chapters in the “Your Home” Australian government website relating to passive design, thermal mass via the following link: http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/thermal-mass where there is a very detailed explanation on how to best use thermal mass to your advantage. Also remember that your glazing will play a pivotal role in enabling thermal mass to work during the winter months.  I’ll be talking about glazing in my next blog.

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Snake season is in full swing now with plenty of sightings. This one must have been run over at the corner of our street recently. I spotted another in my back yard too. If you are bitten, completely immobilize the limb that is bitten as movement of that limb is what sends the venom from your lymph' system in to your blood. Be careful we have 3 of the 5 deadliest snakes in our area. Also of interest is that snakes are actually a protected species and should not be killed. #becarefulofsnakes #brownsnake #deadlysnake #worksafely https://www.instagram.com/p/BsqvjnwHZi3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nv3ks0evzku2

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Easy clean, no grout shower. Featuring custom photo printed glass shower panel and coloured shower panels to the side walls. #printedshowerpanel #glassshowerwalls #nogroutshower #easycleanshower #showerrenovation https://www.instagram.com/p/BspNi82lEq4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nj0r75ou31ca

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A modern look after squaring off the arches, rendering and adding a cedar clad garage. #modernhome #naturaltimber #solarcityecohomes https://www.instagram.com/p/BsfDOCiFolj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1frggyi62inuq

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Knowing the best size home for your family                      

Building an energy efficient home and improving your footprint on our planet starts with knowing the best size home to build.  Sure, you might WANT a large home but I challenge you to stop and really think about how much space you actually NEED in your home.  Remember, the larger your home, the more costly it is to you and the environment.

If you do want or need a larger home, ensure your home is zoned so that you only have to use energy resources for that particular zone, rather than heating/cooling your whole home.  Think about the design of your home. Ensure there are doors to close off unused areas. Consider how much space each room actually requires.  The design and size of your home are so important.  Making small changes at the design stage may save thousands of dollars over the life of your home and also reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions which your home creates. If you’re looking for information about energy efficiency in Australia, you could check out this link:  https://www.energymatters.com.au/energy-efficiency/

A large home can consume quite a lot of your yearly income in energy bills and with energy costs rising, you want to make sure you’re not wasting money to run a home which is larger than you really need.  Consider making some rooms multi-purpose.  Perhaps your bathroom could incorporate a laundry.  You already have a wet room with a fan to deal with condensation and water connections. Perhaps the washing machine and dryer can be incorporated into your bathroom, eliminating the need for an additional room. Sometimes we just need to change our thinking to make life more practical.

Remember, the bigger the home, the more it costs you & the environment at the build stage and long term. An estimate of the true dollar cost just to build your home is around $15,000 for every square of size (including all under roof space).  The cost to the environment is impacted during the build stage (the use of all the resources) but also well into the future (the resources used to keep your home comfortable and well maintained).  Think about the dollars you are prepared to spend both now and into the future on your new home and also think of the impact you have on the environment.

If you’re designing a new home make sure you give a lot of consideration to the size and purpose of your home and ensure that your design is optimal for energy efficiency and has the least negative impact on the environment that you can manage.

(Image used from Energy Matters website)

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Justin spent a day helping our friends with their house boat Reno. We got to watch them launch it and enjoy a few days on the Murray. #murrayriverhouseboats #houseboat #houseboatrenovation #timetorelax #riverboat https://www.instagram.com/p/BsRsUgNnlKp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=s5iu3qbviy6m