Builders & Renovations FAQs
What is Sustainable House Design
What is Sustainable House Design?
Sustainable housing is the backbone of cheaper electricity bills and net zero emission goals. With global pushes for net zero emissions and government legislation increasing it’s becoming increasingly important to prioritise sustainable design when building your dream home. Sustainable design can also aid in combatting cost of living increases by using energy/water-efficient fixtures and appliances and efficient design elements to keep operational costs down.
So what is sustainable house design and how can you implement it in your home?
Sustainable house design is a design style that aims to create a home with the smallest environmental footprint possible. This is most commonly done through the use of:
- Passive Heating
- Sustainable Material Selection
- And Water and energy-efficient fixtures and appliances
These homes can greatly decrease energy bills and costs over time.
So how can you incorporate these elements into your new home?
Embodied Energy and Operational Energy
Embodied Energy
Embodied energy is a significant component in minimising the environmental footprint of your home. Embodied energy considers all inputs from sourcing materials to manufacturing and transport to assembling your home. Total embodied energy is the sum of the embodied energy of every material used in your home as well as the energy used in assembling the materials to make your home (eg, landscaping, laying slabs, cranes etc). Once the house is built it can still accumulate further embodied energy through repairs and maintenance of these materials this is referred to as Recurrent Embodied Energy and is amassed over the life of the home.
Operational Energy
Operational energy makes up the rest of a home’s energy usage and refers to the energy needed in the operation of the home (eg, lighting, heating, appliances etc). The less efficient the appliances used the higher the operational energy and the higher the environmental footprint.
Designing Around Embodied Energy
When it comes to designing around embodied energy, it doesn't always mean just going for materials with the lowest possible embodied energy for the very part of your home. In some cases, materials such as concrete slabs have a high embodied energy however they have a much higher thermal mass than materials with a lower embodied energy making them desirable for passive climate control. Therefore you will need to weigh up the costs and benefits of all the materials in your home.
Sustainable Material Selection
When choosing the materials to construct your home it is important to choose materials that are sustainable and have a low embodied energy while still being practical. Some key things to think about when planning your home are:
- Source Local: locally sourced materials are going to support local Australian industries that in many cases prioritise sustainable practices. These products will also have a far lower embodied energy than products sourced from overseas or further away as they have a shorter transport distance.
- Think Long Term: Spending a bit more money on materials that have proven longevity when building your home will save you money in repairs over time.
- Recycled: When you think of home construction you probably don't think second-hand? However, getting second-hand materials such as bricks and hardwoods can save you money and can add a rustic feel to your home. They also have a far lower embodied energy than a new product and can still in some cases be as effective as a new product. When buying second hand it is important to consult with your builder or an expert to ensure that the materials you are purchasing are structurally sound.
- Outside the Box: When selecting your materials it is important to maintain an open mind to non-conventional materials such as straw bales and hemp masonry. Sustainable materials have come a long way in past years and there are more and more options that offer similar benefits to conventional materials but at a far lower embodied energy.
By selecting sustainable materials and considering these factors you can create a home with a low environmental footprint that is going to last long and save you money.
Passive Heating and Cooling
Passive heating and cooling is the process of designing a home that can passively control the temperature within the house through design and material choices. This allows for far lower use of mechanical climate control systems such as air conditioners and in-floor heating for climate control. Passive heating and cooling are centred around the following key features:
- Ventilation: Efficient ventilation allows for air to be circulated through the house allowing for the home and its thermal mass to be better cooled.
- Roof Form: Correct roof form allows for hot air to travel through louvres in the roof cooling the home it can also aid in capturing prevailing winds.
- Evaporative Cooling: Evaporative cooling is the process of cooling breezes that blow into the home by running them over a body of water such as a pool or pond.
- Airtightness: The airtightness of your home is critical in maintaining a warm house in winter.
- Insulation & Glazing: Insulation and glazing minimise heat transfer through your walls, ceiling, floor and windows. All insulation components have an r-value that measures how well they insulate a home. Glazing or glazed windows help combat heat loss. There are many different methods of glazing your windows each with there own benefits. Curtains and interior blinds are also a great way of minimising heat transfer through the windows and can be easily retrofitted to your home.
- Thermal Mass: Thermal mass is the process of using materials like concrete and brick to store thermal energy during the day to aid in the passive climate control of your home.
- Orientation: effective use of orientation allows for the optimal use of external factors such as prevailing winds in summer and the warm sun in winter. When planning your home orientation it is important to consider the direction of prevailing winds and the change in the sun's angles between winter and summer. North-facing homes (where the longer side of the house is north-facing) are typically the gold standard in Australia as these homes will receive more sun through the windows in winter and less in summer aiding in keeping the home at a comfortable temperature. Living areas are commonly placed on the northern side of the home to benefit fully from the warmer winter sun.
Energy Saving Tips
When designing your home there are some things you can do to help save you money on electricity bills. Some of the major changes and ideas you can implement are:
- Renewable Energy and Living Off the Grid: incorporating a solar power set-up into your home can save you an average of $120 on your electricity bills in Queensland. Solar systems can work in conjunction with a battery storage system allowing you to store your excess power during the day to be used overnight or on rainy days. Any excess energy that is not stored is then sold back to the grid for a credit from your electricity supplier. It is still important to be connected to the grid as during long periods of rainy weather you may run out of electricity or your panels cannot keep up with demand. In these situations, you can draw electricity from the grid to keep your home functioning.
- Passive Climate Control: There is not much more to say here but as stated earlier passive climate control is a great way to save energy in heating and cooling your home.
- Energy-Efficient Appliances: Prioritising energy-efficient appliances in your home is a great way to save energy when operating these appliances. These include heat pump floor heating to energy efficient fridges and washing machines.
- Solar or Heat Pump Hot water: Solar and heat pump hot water systems are some of the most efficient and cost-effective hot water systems as they use little to no energy to heat your water. In combination with hot water storage tanks, these systems can supply ample hot water for your home.
By integrating these systems into your new home or renovation you can save hundreds each year in electricity bills.
Water Smart Tips
Water saving is another area where you can minimise the environmental impacts and footprint of your home. Some of the most common areas and systems you can use are:
- Water-Efficient Fixtures and Appliances: Water-efficient fixtures and appliances can save 200+ dollars a year in water bills and shrink your environmental footprint.
- Grey Water Systems: Grey water systems collect all the water used for washing clothes and dishes to having a shower. This water can then be used to water your gardens. Grey water can either be in a treated or untreated system. Untreated greywater should not be stored for more than 24 hours whereas treated greywater can be stored for longer periods and used when needed. Local council bylaws specify where grey water can be collected and how it can be used.
- Rainwater Tanks: Rainwater collection systems can greatly offset your water bills by collecting free rainwater. Rainwater can be used for everything from irrigation to drinking water (depending on roof materials and tank system used).
Together these tips can save you big on your monthly bills letting you use that money for holidays or an early retirement.
Who to Talk To About Your New Sustainable Dream Home?
Symcorp Builders offers custom home-building services to make your sustainable dream home a reality. Contact our team today to discuss your dream home in the Tweed Coast, Gold Coast and Brisbane areas.