2009 Award Winning

GreenSmart Home

Breeze Haven

This home was designed to take advantage of the sub-tropical Atherton Tablelands climate

 whilst minimising future running costs and maximising the year round comfort of the residents. Incorporating a thermal mass of blue rock internally, the home achieves year round comfort and minimises energy usage for cooling and heating purposes.  This passive design technique is well suited to the tropics.

Well positioned windows at floor and ceiling height maximise the flow of natural breezes to further enhance the passive cooling used in this home.

            The heart of the passive cooling system in this home

        Timber louvers at floor level allow

        cool air to enter from the shade

        under the upper level.  The

        circular air flow is completed by the

        glass louvers at the very top of the

        living room wall. These louvers can

        be adjusted throughout the year

        to either block the cold winter

        winds or to allow the summer

        breezes into the home.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION

The entrance veranda provides ample, shaded, cool outdoor living space. The roof line and awnings are designed to harness the prevailing breezes by funnelling air through the home assisting in cross ventilation.   Passive solar design is an important factor in reducing the amount of heat transfer to the house, the 900mm eaves and projected awnings are an integral design component that contributes to the overall energy performance.  Other critical factors in the house design include the sub-floor ventilation, the orientation of the house on the block and the positioning of the rear windows to allow the winter sunlight and warmth into the main living area.

                     Large overhangs aid cooling

Sub-floor ventilation and high        

louvers assist in maintaining            

 optimum comfort throughout         

          Light-weight steel framing gives

          design freedom, as well as strength

          and durability.   It is a 100%

          recyclable material.

                    This construction method

                    enables insulation to be

                    installed on all western

                    walls and to the roof

                    cavity to aid in effective 

                    cooling of the home.

The house uses an Edwards 305 litre solar hot water service, with the solar panels located on the roof. Although the initial cost of a solar hot water system is high compared to more conventional hot water systems, the cost savings to be made in the long term are far greater and the environmental impact is much reduced.

               The solar panels should be

               located on an area of roof

               that catches the maximum

               sun exposure each day.

WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

The wastewater management incorporated in the home is a Biolytix® Filtration System. This system is driven by billions of microbes which break down the organic matter including toilet and food waste producing fine humus.  The resulting material resembles rich organic topsoil.  This soil is populated by earthworms and beetles which continually burrow through it and keep it open, free draining and aerobic.

The Biolytix® system assists in reducing the home’s carbon footprint as it is truly powered by nature, creates no noise pollution or odours, can manage larger loads (eg. extra household visitors) and uses no harmful chemicals, yet produces ample amounts of safe, reliable irrigation water.   The system consumes up to 90% less electricity than other wastewater options.  There are two strategically placed subsurface disposal areas, one to irrigate the lawn the other being located within the orchard.

The primary household water supply is rainwater caught on the large expanse of roof area and collected in the 22,500 litre tank at the rear of the home.  This is supported by one 11,500 litre bore water fed header tank. The roof is specifically designed to suit the future installation of solar cells and the home now stands ready for the installation of a grid connect solar power system.

SITE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 

The structural material used in the house is light-gauge steel framing, which leads to many benefits in terms of sustainable site management. These structural building components are pre-fabricated, eliminating surplus waste from off-cuts. This also means that there is less waste to remove, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from additional transport requirements.

Natural light and ventilation ensure low running costs for the home

SELECTION OF MATERIALS

Structural Materials – Steel Framing 

The prefabricated light-weight steel framing used in the home minimises the need for site waste removal thereby reducing greenhouse emissions. Steel is a 100% recyclable material and won’t rot, split, warp, twist or burn and termites can not harm it.  These combined facts all aid in the reduction of long-term maintenance costs.

Insulation – Reducing heat entry through roof and walls
Bonded R1.7 wool insulation is installed to the underside of the roof sheeting, and the western walls are further insulated with R2 wool batts for extra protection from the hot afternoon sun. Bradford Insulation Glasswool is manufactured from a minimum of 50%, and up to 80%, recycled glass. Glasswool insulation products can save 12 times as much energy, during their first year in place, as the energy used to produce them, and are naturally fire resistant and remain so for the life of the product.

External Claddings, Doors and Windows

The external cladding is a combination of Zincalume Custom Orb and James Hardie’s fibrous cement sheeting with clear poly-carbonate also used between the saw-tooth roofs.  Zincalume is easy to maintain, long lasting, durable, lightweight, thermally efficient, corrosion resistant, and resists chipping, flaking and blistering in normal weather conditions. James Hardie’s Linea chamferboard cladding is low maintenance. Zincalume was used primarily because the house is in a rural setting which has a higher termite and fire risk.

All sliding glass windows, doors and louvres were manufactured by Fairview Glass and Aluminium of Mareeba and are treated with Solis tint for extra protection from the harsh rays of the sun.

Water Efficient Tap-ware 

Water saving Linea tap-ware and Profile Connector Suite, dual flush toilets have been fitted throughout the home.  Each item has been selected to suit the owner’s requirements, keeping in mind the need for water conservation.

Floor Coverings 

Bamboo flooring with Cherry Gloss finish is installed in bedroom two, the hallway and on the internal landing.  Bamboo is a renewable resource.  The environmentally friendly material is pre-finished with a coating of five layers of hard wearing, solvent free, UV cured polyurethane.

Rough cut natural granite floor tiles have been laid throughout the remainder of the house.  The granite floors are resistant to stain scratch and heat, can be used for areas that experience high foot traffic, are  highly versatile and very strong and long lasting, easy to maintain and will not fade due to sun rays.

Lighting and Fans 

Lighting products installed are Crompton Lighting, energy saving lamps.  Initially the requirement was 40% efficiency however by utilising the Crompton products the rating easily reached 60%.

Airflow High Performance fans were chosen for their low energy usage and quiet, reliable operation. 

The bright and airy kitchen – small but very serviceable

APPLIANCE FIT-OUT

Energy efficient appliances within the house were selected with regard to affordability and energy and water ratings, and include:

·              Linea L186.2SS Electric Wall Oven (fitted under bench)

·              Linea FL50.2SS Gas Cook-top.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

The paints used both internally and externally are Australian made Haymes products.  These were selected by the owner because they contain only minimal amounts of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s).  These compounds usually include some amount of petroleum product which gives off strong smells and fumes and have been found to cause illness in some individuals and have also been linked to “Sick Building Syndrome”.

MARKET REPLICABILITY

The owners’ expectations of their home were achieved.  While the initial house design was by Tony Rose Architect, key elements incorporated by Byrne Homes ensured the construction was completed within the budget constraints of the owners.

The home is not only sustainable and extremely energy efficient – it is also a beautiful, comfortable, practical family home. With a growing market showing increasing awareness of sustainable housing this home exemplifies affordable sustainable housing.

INNOVATIVE USE OF STEEL

Not only was Zincalume steel cladding used on the exterior walls of the house, the complete structural frame is light weight steel framing.  The company used to manufacture the steel frame is Homefab Steel Truss and Frame, a market leader for the past fifteen (15) years.  The computer aided manufacturing techniques used to produce the framing components is highly efficient with a waste factor of less than 1%.

This home is not only affordable but sustainable and very energy efficient. It is also a beautiful, practical family home in an enchanting country setting.  

         The Finished Home                                       The Virtual Design

________________________________________________________

2008 Award Winning

Energy Efficient Home

"The Eco-Savannah"

The Eco-Savannah house design focuses on ways in which a typical suburban house can be used to facilitate practical family living with energy, water and resource efficiency in both construction and use.

The design and construction of the home was an integrated process with the builder, Greg Byrne of Byrne Homes, consulting the project from early in the design process. One of the key aims of the project was to keep the capital cost of the house within the range of comparable new houses in the Mareeba area, while decreasing the long-term running costs of the home. Incorporating passive solar design techniques suited to the tropics, the house exemplifies how to make the most of cool breezes, while keeping heat out and daylight in.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION

Passive Solar Design

The open-plan house is designed to maximise natural cooling through solar passive design, orientation, cross-ventilation, outdoor living, insulation, shading, and careful selection of building materials to eliminate the need for artificial cooling.

Outdoor Living

Located on the north-eastern corner of the home to capture cool north-easterly breezes, the 14m x 3.5m veranda provides ample, shaded, cool outdoor living space. With accessible design to the kitchen and living areas, the positioning maximises the home’s capacity for convenience and comfort.

Harness North-Easterly Breezes with Cross Ventilation

Cross ventilation requires openings on two sides of a room to accommodate air flow. From the back veranda, louvres, sliding glass doors and hopper windows that have a 100% opening capacity facing the north-easterly breeze. These windows direct breezes through the dining, living, kitchen and through the master bedroom areas. The breezeway from the front entry to the veranda, and louvres constructed in the master bedroom to the breezeway facilitate additional air flow. 

Strategic Shading

Shading is an important factor in reducing the amount of heat transfer to the house through windows, walls and the slab. With 900mm eaves on all elevations, the house is protected from the tropical midday sun. These eaves are insulated and provide shading to external walls, doors and windows during the hottest times of the day.

Modwood shading screens were constructed on the western side of the verandah; both east and western sides of the carport; and the courtyard. These screens shade the slab where it would otherwise be exposed to the sun, to minimise heat transfer, without impeding breezes.

Windows on the western elevation were kept at a minimum, to avoid hot afternoon sun. The strategic shading to the east and west elevations of the verandah slab was chosen in consideration of the thermal mass effect, which is undesirable in Tropical Far North Queensland. A rainwater tank is also strategically placed on the western wall to give extra protection from the sun.

Future Proof

To accommodate changing housing needs as the family grows and gets older, the house was constructed on a slab at ground level, making the house more ‘liveable’ for elderly occupants. The carport, master bedroom and living areas are in close proximity for accessibility convenience in later years.

MANAGEMENT OF ENERGY AND WATER

Energy and Greenhouse Efficient Water Heating

The house uses an Edwards 305 litre solar hot water, with the solar panels located on the roof. Although the initial cost of a solar hot water system is high compared with more conventional hot water systems, the cost saving made in the long term are far greater.

Solar Power

The solar power system for the remainder of the house is currently running on a 1kWhour solar power system. The system has a 2kW converter capacity, so that in future, if the power needs of the house increase, more solar panels can be installed. All lighting used throughout the house is low voltage fluoro lighting.

Water Conservation

The house has two rainwater tanks. For the house – a 10,500L tank, which supplies rainwater to the kitchen, and a 5,000L tank to water the garden and lawns. A bore has also been installed for gardening and lawns. The Metro tap ware from Irwell Taps installed throughout the house are 3-star, AAA rated.

SITE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

The structural material used for the house is light-gauge steel framing, which leads to many benefits in terms of sustainable site management. These structural building components are pre-fabricated, eliminating surplus waste from off-cuts. This also means that there is less waste to remove, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport.

SELECTION OF MATERIALS

Structural Materials

Steel framing is the most recycled material in the world – it is 100% recyclable and steel products have a long life. By using steel products conserves other resources and reduce energy consumption that would otherwise be spent on manufacturing products with shorter life spans. Steel is re-useable and doesn't rot, split, warp, twist or burn. Many existing steel products can be reused without reprocessing, again saving on energy and resource use. The prefabricated components reduce the cost and impact of transportation – the more material a truck can carry to a building site, the fewer the total number of deliveries, saving on fuel and greenhouse gas emissions. High strength-to–weight ratios also mean that less material is required to construct the building, minimizing resource use. The steel framing used in the Eco-Savannah house is prefabricated, and prefabrication minimises wastage and creates safer building sites.

Termi-mesh termite protection is used to protect the timber products in the house, including, doors, architraves and skirting. Termi-mesh, as opposed to using chemical termite protectants, do not require maintenance or reapplication, reducing long-term maintenance costs.

Insulation – Reducing heat entry through roof and walls

The entire house is insulated throughout, to eliminate the need for artificial cooling. The external walls are insulated using a combination of sisalation and CSR Bradford batts. The roof is insulated using bonded wool insulation to the underside of the roof sheeting, and the western walls are further insulated with R2 wool batts for extra protection from the hot afternoon sun. Bradford Insulation glasswool is manufactured from a minimum of 50%, and up to 80%, recycled glass. Glasswool insulation products can save 12 times as much energy, during their first year in place, as the energy used to produce them, and are naturally fire resistant and remain so for the life of the product.

External Claddings, Doors and Windows

The cladding used throughout the house is a light weight cladding – a combination of Colorbond and James Hardie’s Linea chamferboard. Colourbond is easy to maintain, long lasting, durable, lightweight, thermally efficient, corrosion resistant, and resists chipping, flaking and blistering in normal weather conditions. James Hardie’s Linea chamferboard cladding is low maintenance - it resists rotting, shrinking and swelling to hold paint longer than timber, and it is moisture, termite and fire resistant for long life in Australia's harsh climate.

All sliding glass windows and doors and louvres are tinted with Solis tint for extra protection from the harsh sun. The front and rear doors are made from recycled Red Cedar timber. The front gate is electric and automatic, making the house conveniently accessible and secure.

Safe Floors

Vinyl floor covering is used throughout the house (with the exception of the bathrooms) making the floors slip resistant to guard against injuries.

Concrete

The driveway is exposed aggregate which is non-slip, formed in an hourglass shape, as opposed to a straight double-driveway, to conserve materials. The concrete located on the perimeter of the house is also exposed aggregate. Veranda and patios are surfaced with Stylepave non-slip, hard-wearing, low maintenance material in ‘Rust’ a colour that matches the red-dirt of the Atherton Tablelands, to minimise the need for cleaning. 

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Wattyl paints were used throughout the house in consideration of indoor air quality. The paint has no traditional paint odours, no ammonia, no formaldehyde and minimal Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOC’s are paints/finishes and adhesives, which can cause irritation and allergies, and impact poorly on your health.

COST EFFECTIVENESS

In total, the house cost approximately $355,000 when completed in 2007. Comparing this house to a similarly sized house, the owners have paid approximately 10% more in the short term, however, the cost savings from the features outline in this report, will save long-term expenses.

MARKET REPLICABILITY

The key aims of the project were achieved - keeping the capital cost of the house within the range of comparable new houses in the Mareeba area, while decreasing the long-term running costs of the home. Incorporating passive solar design techniques suited to the tropics, the house exemplifies how to make the most of cool breezes, while keeping heat out and daylight in. 

The Eco-Savannah home is not only sustainable and extremely energy efficient – it is also a beautiful, comfortable, practical family home. With a growing market with increasing awareness of sustainable housing this home exemplifies affordable sustainable housing.