8 Star - Thermally Efficient Home

Areas:
Site = 363 sqm, Floor area = 191 sqm

Construction:
Concrete slab on ground with brick veneer and Scion cladded walls

Construction Budget:
$750k +

Heating and Cooling Energy Use / Annum:
35 MJ / sqm or 975 kW

Estimated Heating and Cooling Costs / Annum:
$136.00

Estimated Greenhouse Emissions / Annum:
1034 kg CO2

Status:
Currently awaiting development approval

Brief:
This house was commissioned by the owners of a sloped block seeking to subdivide and develop a new contemporary home maximising use of the available space.

Despite the sloped and small site, All Australian Architecture was able to create a spacious and open home incorporating numerous outdoor spaces, all within a compact footprint.

Solution:
This new two storey, 4 bedroom home succeeded in achieving an 8 star thermal rating when assessed in BERS Pro, an approved thermal modelling program. The home was designed to take maximum advantage of all site aspects to create a comfortable and efficient home.

It has been carefully designed to reduce the need for artificial heating, cooling and lighting, and calculated to use approximately 73% less energy compared to current building standards for new dwellings in NSW.

This home will achieve cost savings and environmental benefits by minimising reliance on air conditioning during summer and heaters during winter to achieve thermal comfort. Over a period of 10 years, the occupants of this house will achieve an energy cost saving of $5,300 based on current electricity tarrifs provided by EnergyAustralia.

The final design is an exceptional example of a thermally efficient home, which still presents contemporary and sophisticated design principles.

What are house energy ratings?
House energy ratings are calculated using sophisticated computer simulations to assess the potential thermal comfort of Australian homes on a scale of zero to 10 stars. The more stars achieved, the less likely the occupants will need to rely on supplementary cooling or heating to stay comfortable.

What elements are rated?
A dwelling can be rated before or after it is built and depends on:

The orientation and internal layout of the home
The construction of its roof, walls, windows, floors
Levels of insulation
The placement of windows
Appropriate eaves and shading to the sun's seasonal paths
Utilitsing local breezes
How well all these elements suit the local climate

What do the stars mean?

Zero stars mean the rated building does almost nothing to reduce the discomfort of hot or cold weather and the use of heaters and air-conditioning will be required.
5 stars indicates adequate, but not ideal, thermal performance.
10 stars mean the occupants of a home are unlikely to need any artificial cooling or heating to stay comfortable. However, for a single, detached dwelling, it is almost impossible to achieve a 10 star thermal rating.

Who can assess the building?
All assessors must be licensed and trained in building thermal performance. They must also carry indemnity insurance and work by the ABSA's Code of Practice.

Does a sustainable home cost more to build?
A sustainable home does not necessarily have to cost more to build. Investing in a smart design, which makes the most of natural climate conditions, and has the right choice of building materials can help to ensure you have a home that is comfortable to live in and efficient to run. If you do decide to invest in a good design, your investment can be repayed long-term from lower energy bills and a higher re-sale value.

Thermal Assessment Consultants
For more information on building sustainability assessments or if you want a thermal assessment of your home / design, visit Efficient Living