By optimising the Home’s passive design, we have created a
more stable indoor air temperature. Passive design simply makes the most of
local conditions to make your home more comfortable while reducing your
bills. Passive design costs no more when included at the planning stage.
The House is cooler in summer and warmer in winter without
the need for mechanical air conditioning and heating. This significantly
reduces electricity bills, and expensive cooling and heating units won’t be
needed. Climate change is caused by green-house emissions from burning
fossil fuels to deliver power. By reducing the amount of electricity used,
we can lessen our impact on the environment.
The solar panels convert sunlight into DC electricity to charge the
batteries. This DC electricity is fed to the battery via a solar regulator /
solar controller, which ensures the battery is charged properly and not
damaged. DC appliances can be powered directly from the battery. However,
mains power is 240V AC electricity and so most standard appliances and
fittings are designed for AC. Therefore, the DC electricity from the battery
needs to be diverted through an inverter.to convert the DC power into 240V
AC power. This then powers the lighting in the house.All other power
requirements in the house are supplied by mains power.
systems are designed to be discharged over a long period of
time (e.g. 100 hours) and recharged hundreds of times. The battery system
required for the house is very small and consists of lead acid batteries.
This type of battery is commonly used in renewable energy systems and can be
recycled. The acid is neutralised with water and the lead is recycled.
Water-saving features:
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gradated flick mixer taps to sinks and basins
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thermostatic mixers to showers
-
four 5500L rainwater tanks provide water for entire
house
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flow reducers on all water outlets
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minimum AAA efficiency rated fittings and fixtures
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smart meter installed
The Home’s water-wise features enable the occupants to
significantly reduce their water use. By reusing greywater, capturing
storm water, installing flow restrictors and water-saving appliances and
devices, the occupants use well below the area average. Storm water for
the entire Fort Road estate managed by road-side, rocked swales rather
that traditional guttering.
Greywater Treatment System
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treatment to ‘Class C’ water, which is suited to
subsurface irrigation.
-
greywater system has the capacity to process a
minimum of 500L per day.
-
greywater treatment system at the Sustainable Home
Brisbane exceeds the treatment requirements for greywater use
specified by the Brisbane City Council.
Irrigation
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greywater is used for irrigation of designated
landscaped areas in the front and rear of the property;
-
the greywater irrigation pipe is located 100mm below
the soil surface, and consists of a 50mm diameter, slotted,
corrugated drain encased in polyester filter media, which prevents
soil entering and clogging the pipe;
-
greywater is pumped to four separate irrigation
zones. Each zone contains an irrigation pipe length of 15m (total
irrigation length of 60m);
-
the pump works automatically to ensure that the soil
remains at the required moisture level;
-
timer switch to limit pump runs to a maximum of one
hour;
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greywater to be directed to each of the four zones
in sequence and water is directed to the next zone each time the
pump starts; and
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overflow alarm light, and detour to the sewage
system.
| Waste
and Site Management |
During excavation, minimal soil excavation was performed
and where possible mature gum trees were maintained, even within the
building envelope. All construction waste was monitored, and reused or
recycled through Smart Skip.
The Brisbane Sustainable Home project team has
considered the ecological impact of the development at every level. The
entire Fort Road Development has retained existing trees wherever
possible. The House orientation was designed to use trees for shade and
insulation and catch the north-east breezes for air movement.
Topsoil disturbance was minimised during the
construction phase by working with the natural contours of the land. The
landscaping includes vegetable gardens and fruit bearing trees, and
habitats that attract wildlife.
Maunsell Australia developed a waste management plan for
the construction phase. Waste disposal was monitored, excess materials
were donated for reuse, and construction was separated and recycled to
minimise environmental damage.
-
Modwood decking – recycled plastic and sawdust
-
Quik’n Tuff cladding – recycled polystyrene and
cement binders, high insulation, termite resistant, fire rating 90
minutes
-
reused hardwood decking and railings
-
Qld Government registered plantation ply cladding,
ceiling, marine ply, and hoop pine joinery
-
bamboo flooring – fast growing, natural resource
with high durability
-
recycled aggregate in concrete
Appropriate building materials were carefully selected
as part of good home design; materials were selected for: strength and
durability, low-embodied energy, life cycle, natural resource, recycled
and reused materials. Old and new growth Australian hardwoods and
endangered rainforest timber were not used.
| Indoor
Air Quality Optimisation |
-
EcoCollection low-formaldehyde joinery including
kitchen, wardrobes, study, and cupboards
-
Rockcote EcoStyle paints and finishes – free from
dangerous chemicals and solvents
-
Organoil external timber finish – no petrochemicals
-
Danish Oil interior timber finish - no
petrochemicals
-
Termimesh - physical barrier instead of chemical
termite treatment
The Sustainable Home Brisbane features many sensible and
effective ideas to reduce the allergens and potential health hazards
associated with modern homes the house is safer for tradesmen and
consumer.
Low-VOC (non-toxic) products, including materials,
flooring, furnishings, and paint have been selected for the House. High
humidity and elevated temperatures cause VOCs to be emitted and
encourage common allergens such as mould and dust mites. By stabilising
the indoor temperature and increasing cross ventilation we have created
a healthier environment inside and outside.
Home zones were created for a variety of uses and are
designed to enable simultaneous adjacent activities without disruption
to other occupants or neighbours. The House has been positioned to
capture the southern views and mountain glimpses; it is designed for
people to enjoy! It provides affordable comfort conditions with flexible
and individual control: ‘a place for fun, relaxation, and delight,’
architect Marci Webster-Mannison of Bligh Voller Nield said.
|
Social Benefits of Sustainable Homes |
The needs of people of varying age and ability were
considered and the House incorporates Universal Design Principles, which
are promoted as part of the Queensland Government’s Smart Housing
initiative. Universal design requires planning at the design stage to
ensure the home is safe, secure, and adaptable to the varying needs of
families and people of all ages and abilities.
Universal Design is defined as being the design of
products and environments to be used by all people to the greatest
extent possible without the need for adaptation or specialised redesign.
The Sustainable Home Brisbane entry thresholds are all
level, and passageways (>1200mm) and doorways (>870mm) are wider than
usual. The House is designed to prevent injuries through built-in safety
features. It has security features that reduce crime and improve the
occupants’ sense of security. Slip-resistant flooring has been used in
all wet areas.
| Cost-Effective
Lifestyles |
A number of cost-saving features were integrated into
the house. The five-star energy rating achieved by this design will
significantly reduce the need for mechanical heating and cooling, which
lowers the overall demand for electricity, thus reducing electricity
bills and green house gas emissions. We estimate that the cost of the
ceiling fans and clearstory louvers could be recouped over a ten-year
period.
Photovoltaic cells power all lighting and fans in the
house. The estimated reduction in electricity use should equate to $200
per annum.
The solar hot water system saves on electricity and hot
water energy consumption should be reduced by 90%*. Expected savings on
electricity bill are $450 per annum and greenhouse gas emissions are
reduced to 0.3T/yr^.
Many clever water conservation measures implemented at
the house. The average Brisbane household uses 300Kilolitres of water
per annum. By completely self-sufficient through rainwater harvesting,
the house should save $267 per annum in water costs. The cost of the
water tanks should be recouped over a ten-year period.
By selecting durable materials, ongoing maintenance
costs should be minimal.
By implementing extensive universal design features at
the construction stage, the house is suitable for all ages and level of
mobility and no additional renovation costs will be incurred should
misfortune lead to an occupant requiring a wheelchair or similar form of
ambulation.
* based on Australian Government approved TRNSYS
simulation modeling
^Ipswich City Council
Natural Lifestyle Homes enlisted a number of companies
to take an active role in encouraging the community to embrace the
principles of sustainable development. Building a demonstration home,
such as this, requires not only a lot of coordination and hard work, but
also a considerable amount of money. Jim McKnoulty, AGDF
President, said that without the valued contribution of sponsors
building the Sustainable Home Brisbane would not have been possible.
‘I’m really impressed by the generous level of support we’ve received
from organisations of all sizes,’ he said. Jim described sponsorship of
the Sustainable Home Brisbane as a win-win situation for everyone
involved. ‘Along with helping to make this project happen the project is
an excellent marketing opportunity for companies to showcase their
products to a highly receptive group of people, interested in protecting
the environment.’
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