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'Low energy design' in Australia is generally not a priority for many new home owners.
Although most people would consider the outlay vs. the return not to be financially viable for a fully active solar home, there has been a growing acceptance of incorporating passive solar principles to new home designs and extensions by owners and the building industry as a whole.Indeed, with the Governments international commitment to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, australian home builders are seeing initiatives and legislations being introduced to require greater low energy considerations in new home design.
Where once, 'energy efficient design' was a design option, it is now being regulated as a requirement for all new homes constructed.Many design firms, such as ourselves, have incorporated energy efficient principals as a matter of course for many years, having understood that simple items such as correct site orientation and the correct placement and screening of glass can impact greatly on the comfort of a home.
There is an emphasis now by government bodies to promote 'energy smart housing', which incorporates not only good design, but encompasses the selection of energy smart appliances such as hot water units, lighting and whitegoods. This combined with responsible user behaviours such as turning off unused appliances and lights; closing doors and windows to heated areas; maintaining correct thermostat settings on units and the like, helps to reduce energy costs.
Victorian figures suggest that household energy use can be reduced by up to 70% with savings to home owners of around $800 per year employing the energy smart thinking.
Low energy design considerations.
Although broad design guidelines can be given, as shown in the map above, careful consideration needs to be given to each individual situation and location when preparing designs. Topography and localised climate conditions can have a large bearing on the layout required to maximise energy efficiency.
For example, locating windows on the south side of the home to maximise cross flow ventilation is of little benefit when breezes from cool changes come from a westerly direction.
Orientation
When experts say to face a home between 15 degrees west and 15 degrees east they are for the most referring to true north, not magnetic north. Therefore for the Sydney area the compass reading would be 27 degrees west and 3 degrees east. - see map below.
Correct orientation can be a complex item for many home builders (and designers). Quite often suburban block limitations, the direction of views, privacy requirements and even overshadowing from neighbouring houses, can mean that a compromise or some very careful designing needs to occur.
Quite often owners will have an idea of a style or layout that they like and that suits their lifestyle, but when it comes to placing it on their site they have to start rethinking their ideas. Our advise has always been that land selection is a major part of building a new home and should be considered carefully.
This will become even more so in the coming years, with the introduction of compulsory energy efficient homes.
Eventually land developers will be forced to subdivide with solar aspects in mind.
Differences for eastern australia are worth while considering when setting out homes with western australian differences being insignificant.
Take note of the magnetic variation for your area. Click here to go to the Solar calculator to determine sun positions throughout the year for your particular site.