Winter sunshine benefits
A few cold, but sunny, days allowed our home to show off what it can do with sunlight. Light streaming through the large north facing windows quickly warmed the house in daytime. Solar panels produced more than enough electricity to supply our all-electric home's needs. Read More
Summer solar lessons
Summer solar means maximum production from the panels. With great power comes great responsibility so there were lessons to be learned in how to best use the electricity generated. The most important lesson I learned was to move power consumption to daylight hours whenever possible. Read More
Winter solar and battery experience
After the first winter in our all-electric home, it’s time to look back over the numbers and tease out useful lessons. What worked well and contributed to our objective of ... Read More
Passive solar and Passivhaus
While discussing sustainable home design with others, I realised the word "passive" mu;st be used carefully. Passive solar design is different to Passive House design. It's important to understand the differences and similarities. Read More
Testing outdoor versus indoor temperature
While the indoor temperature felt comfortable during hot summer days, I was left with the nagging feeling that wishful thinking was keeping me cool. Passive solar design should minimise the need for mechanical cooling for everything but a run of very hot days. Temperature monitoring data confirmed this is the case for our design. Read More
Insulating concrete slab edge
Insulating the concrete slab edge reduces the heat lost from the thermal mass during winter. There are a variety of ways to install the insulation along with the termite barrier. After considering the likely cost/benefit, our design uses a garden bed to cover exposed concrete edges. Read More
Glasswool insulation installed
Once the house was weatherproof, the focus shifted to interior work. Thoroughly insulating the walls and ceilings is a critical component of passive heating and cooling design. Putting plasterboard on the walls has clearly defined the rooms. Read More
Double glazed windows ordered
Double glazed windows were a non-negotiable item right from the start. Expert advice from organisations such as the Alternative Technology Association (ATA) clearly spelled out the insulation advantages. From a ... Read More
Reverse cycle air con decisions
In theory, any home with less than a 10 Star NatHERS rating requires some energy input to keep the occupants comfortable. This can be a significant cost. About 40% of ... Read More