A house with zero net energy consumption and a significantly reduced carbon footprint is being built in Cordeaux Heights.
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The property on Mungurra Hill Road is a 7.5-star rated home and has a 90per cent reduced carbon footprint compared with the average Australian home.
Being net-zero energy means the total amount of energy used by the building will roughly equal the amount of renewable energy created on the site.
The house will operate off treated rainwater.
Recyclable or renewable materials have been used throughout the eco-friendly house.
The house was designed by Progenia managing director Scott Redwood, who is also project managing the construction. Mr Redwood used the experience he gained as the design and construction manager of the University of Wollongong’s award-winning Illawarra Flame house.
The Cordeaux Heights home is a case study for his master’s thesis on sustainable design and development. It was designed by Mr Redwood using CSIRO-developed life-cycle analysis software that determines a home’s carbon footprint.
Mr Redwood said the eco-friendly house would be constructed for just 5per cent more than the building costs of a standard home.
‘‘This first real-life demonstration house by Progenia shows that net-zero energy, net-zero water and 90per cent reduced carbon footprint can be achieved with today’s technologies, building practices, material and at an affordable price,’’ he said.
‘‘This project demonstrates that aspects of the Illawarra Flame house are achievable, cost viable, realistic and there is a real commercial demand for this sustainable solution – in not just retrofit but in all domestic housing projects.’’
The 7.5-star rating comes from the nationwide house energy rating scheme. To determine how efficient the design of an existing or yet-to-be-built home is, it is given a star rating between zero and 10 stars. The NSW standard is a four-star rating.
Mr Redwood said there was growing demand for eco-friendly homes as they were more comfortable to live in because of their ability to capture and maintain stable internal temperatures, a reduced exposure to indoor toxins, and long-term cost savings through lower energy and water bills.
‘‘I’ve got a few more on the books already,’’ he said. ‘‘There’s another house getting built at the same time in Bulli.’’
lturk@fairfaxmedia.com.au
