Building an energy efficient home for sustainable living on a budget with a volume home builder is possible.
The recently completed display home at the Delfin Woodlands Estate features a whooping 9-Star energy rating
New home builder Cosmopolitan Living have designed and built a 9-star energy-rated house to fit on villa blocks without compromising the design, construction or liveability.
The 9 star energy rating was provided on the building’s completion by the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA).
High Energy rating Achieved using Boral Building Products with minimum use of light-weight materials.
The materials selection involved the minimal use of lightweight construction materials, with building density and thermal mass provided by Boral clay bricks, concrete roof tiles and concrete blocks.
The minimum energy efficiency rating for new homes in Queensland is a 6-star,
According to the home builders, a key consideration in energy efficient material selection was whether it fitted in to the normal building process without increasing the cost of construction.
For roof and extrenal wall insulation, Cosmopolitan Living also changed to AirCell wrap insulation, which has a higher energy rating than the typical foil backed type, without affecting the building process.
A switch from standard brick veneer walls to high-density, double-brick cavity walls for west-facing dining and living room areas, will delay heat transfer into the house and thereby reduce the need for artificial cooling.
In the hallway, Boral was also able to accommodate a 70mm thick brick wall within the original timber frame work design. This insulated wall will help reduce heat transfer from the sun during the day.
Light coloured Roof Tiles reflect more Solar heat
The main ingredient in creating an energy efficient roof and ceiling system is careful selection of the roof tiles. For this, a light coloured concrete roof tile in the Boral Windsor Range was used.
Concrete roof tiles offer thermal benefits, sound deadening benefits and a light colour aids solar heat reflection. They are much cheaper than iron roof alternatives.
|
Rick Adlam [HomeMate] has been working in the homebuilding since 1985 as a new home consultant with Iconic builder AV Jennings. He has also worked in home design consultancy with Dixon Homes, VillaWorld, Galaxy Homes, Merlin Homes, Simonds Homes, Award Homes and Orbit Homes. Rick currently consults in the development of Mr Mortgage for mortgage brokers and HomeMate for new home buyers
|
