Green Features

Concrete Slab:

• ecoblend cement 
• R1.8 foam insulation under slab

Insulation:

Roof:

• Phase-Change Material (M-27 BioPCM Mat 27 degrees) installed in upstairs ceilings
• Kingspan Air-Cell Insulbreak 65. (R2.4 in, R1.5 out)
• R5.0 batts in ceiling of extension, existing (approx. R3 insulation in existing house (to be upgraded to approx. R6.5).

Walls:

• Kingspan Air-Cell Permishield 65, (R1.6)
• R2.7 batts in walls
• Enviroflex Envirowall blow in insulation to remaining walls. (R1.5 - 2.5)
• Thermilate paint additive to further insulate the wall

Exterior:

• ‘designAdeck’ Aust. White Cypress decking.
  
• Recycled brick pavers from Paddy’s Bricks, laid to enable water permeation.
  
  

Windows:

• All new windows double-glazed
• Secondary glazing (https://magneticproperties.com.au/) to all remaining windows

Electricity:

• Existing 1.7kY solar PV system reinstalled
• Ceiling fans to all bedrooms and living area.
• LED of CFL lights throughout
• No recessed downlights – no penetrations to compromise insulation.

Joinery:

• E0 cabinetry throughout

Shading:

• External blinds to all East & West facing windows.

Hot Water:

• Sanden Heat pump HWS
• Redwater diverter in kitchen
  
  

Water:

• 3100 litre steel Rainwater tank to garden, toilets and washing machine.
• Laundry & bathrooms plumbed for future grey water system.
• Low flow fixtures throughout.

Recycling:

• Brick wall in kitchen built from recycled bricks – salvaged from the old laundry and excess from a friend’s build.
• Re-used existing period doors, obtained other internal doors from salvage yards.
• Recycled spotted gum floor boards in living area
• New front entrance salvaged from a demolished shop.
• Front door re-used for laundry
• Structural timbers from demolition salvaged to be used for future shed construction.

Other Sustainable Features:

• Heat shifter installed to move heat from upstairs back to the lounge room
• Thermal mass wall created for pantry using recycled wine bottles filled with water.
• Clothes drying airer above upstairs landing.
• Designed for cross-ventilation, including roof window at top of stairs for thermal chimney

Performance

Our electricity consumption is averaging around 6kWh per day, over our first year (taking into account our solar export).  Winter usage is around 11kWh per day.  Considering we’ve now got electric (heat pump) hot water that uses around 3kWh a day, an electric oven, and a compromised solar panel orientation (facing East) this isn’t too bad.  I haven’t compared our gas bills yet.