N
SUMMER
WINTER
The slope of the site is minimal such that it does not constrain the choice of location of the house on site. There is also little existing vegetation that influences the site's microclimate. Additional plants - dense Australian shrubs such as Callistemon, Correa, or Grevillea are planted along the west side as windbreak fillers to prevent direct harsh coastal wind. The vegetation still enables a reasonable and comfortable breeze that the client desires to pass-through.
Living CLIENT PROFILE Mr Ng (33 years old) I Mr Ng’s husband (36 years old) • Two dogs • Accommodate guests’ stay – spare bedrooms • Fancy dinner parties – large open living/dining for social interactions, functional kitchen, & good circulation between the kitchen, living, and dinning • Both work for a solar company – the couples may be off to work during the daytime (less use during daytime) & solar panels on the roof • Natural daylight – windows & skylights OR outdoor space with exposure to the sun • Sea breezes – openings on the west coast to allow wind to enter the house, operative windows, view of the sea, and good ventilation (cross ventilation) • Passive design – energy efficient • Outdoor living and garden – grow vegetables & BBQ
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Sleeping
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ORIENTATION The house is orientated about 10o west of north to have the living facing directly to the north, maximising daylight (save energy on lighting) and solar gain (save energy on heating). Furthermore, the west of north position maximises solar gains in the late afternoon (for heating dominant houses), which is appropriate for the Ng Family, considering both are working in the daytime. Orientations of up to 20° west of north and 30° east of north are within the range of effective passive sun control. http://andrewmarsh.com/apps/staging/sunpath2d.html
LANDSCAPING
9am Wind 3am Wind
WIND ROSE
Data on wind direction is from the Bureau of Meteorology, collected at Melbourne Airport, at 113m above the sea level, hence the result may differ slightly from the coastal condition of the site. Wind typically come from the north and south. There is also the sea breeze from the south-west direction throughout the day. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/wind/selec tion_map.shtml
LAND USE A section of the land on the east side of the house is for gardening. A greywater system operates for recycled water to be used to sustain the garden. (See more on Page 6 - Water Recycling)
CLIMATE ZONE Each zone has different design and construction regulations established by the Building Code of Australia (BCA). Melbourne is categorised under Zone 6 in the Australian climate zones. • Four distinct seasons – summer & winter temperatures exceed human comfort range (require strategies for heating and cooling) • Hot/very hot summer, moderate humidity & mild/cool winter with low humidity
Winter Solstice 28.50o
Garden Summer Solstice 75.05o
IMPACT ON/FROM NEIGHBOURS AND ADJACENT PROPERTIES Ng’s single storey house is positioned to have a distance of more than 6m away from the neighbouring house’s north front. This prevents overshadowing the neighbour in winter. Winter Sun
Polycrystalline PV array on the roof: The choice between monocrystalline and polycrystalline largely depends on the manufacturer’s product quality. Since the Ngs are working for a solar company, they can assure the efficiency and quality of their companies’ polycrystalline panels. Polycrystalline is a popular option in residential use, and with improving technologies, its efficiency is almost comparable with the more costly option, monocrystalline. Also, polycrystalline tend to be more temperature resilient, meaning that the efficiency does not decrease significantly with a rise in temperature. The panels are installed facing north with a 50mm gap between the panela and the roof for ventilation. (Info on the PV roof area & battery refer to Page 4 Electrical)
SERVICE CONNECTION FROM THE STREET
9am Wind (Annual Average) 3am Wind (Annual Average)
at least 6m
Light roof colour reflects some of the radiant heat and absorbs less heat, preventing the roof from overheating in the summer. An overall cooler roof also helps the solar array to perform better.
ROOF EQUIPMENT SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC
The house is located as close to the west street front as possible, without having a negative impact on the adjacent property (distance between the houses). Having the house closer to all the service lines allows easier access to the local grid and save on the cost of service connection.
summer
SHADING DESIGN
approx. 45% of H
EAVES FOR THE NORTH
winter
height (H)
30% of H
North East West South
Eaves are the most economical shading method for the northern side of the house. To effectively shade the summer sun while allowing sun penetration in winter, the width of the eaves should be about 45% of the height (H) between the bottom of eaves and the windowsill. In addition, the distance between the top of the window and the eaves’ underside should be at least 30% of the height (H) to avoid having the top section of the windows permanently shaded (see diagram). The glass sliding door for the entrance touches the floor level. The height of the north-facing windows is 1500mm, therefore the eaves overhang should be about 900mm.
• The amount of glazing in this house falls within the range of the recommended window to wall ratios of the different sides. • The northern elevation has large horizontal windows (height of1500mm) to maximise the solar gain. The window/wall ratio should be around 30 – 60%. • The eastern and western elevations have smaller, vertical windows (height of 600mm for the kitchen and 1500/2100mm for the rooms) for sunlight in the morning and evening. The window/wall ratio should be around 10 – 30%. • There are very few windows for the southern side of the house. The ratio should be around 5 – 15%
VENTILATION STRATEGIES CROSS VENTILATION Cross ventilation, as a passive cooling strategy, encourages air movements to remove hot air in the room. Sea breeze from the western coastal line and the northern/southern wind enter through an opening and leave through another (air is sucked towards areas with lower air pressure). The effect of cross ventilation with windows that are distant over 9m is minimal, so the promixity between windows was considered.
PERGOLA Pergola provides outdoor living in front of the dining area/sliding door entrance, allowing potentially more space for the occasional dinner parties in good weather conditions. The angle of the horizontal louvres is set at the sun angle of mid-winter noon. This angle allows penetration of winter sun (lower angled) and blocks out summer sun (higher angled). Moreover, deciduous vines on the pergola roof helps to further protect against direct solar radiation and harsh sunlight.
equinox winter solstice
SUN ANGLE With Melbourne’s latitude at approximately 38o, the sun angle at equinox is around 52o (90o – latitude). The angle at summer solstice is 28.5o (equinox – 23.5o) while the angle at winter solstice is 75.5o (equinox + 23.5o).
Eaves vent helps to ventilate the roof space. Exhaust fans (for the bathrooms and kitchen) must be sealed to avoid unwanted air leakage.
w
id
th 30 Slope o
mid winter mid summer
The spacing between the louvres should be 75% of their width.
20o Slope
min. 2700mm
summer solstice
ROOF VENTILATION
spacing
SOLAR ACCESS
Window to Wall Ra�o (approx. %) 43% 19% 20% 10%
WALL TO WINDOW RATIO
Awnings blinds provide adjustable shading on the eastern and western elevations. As Melbourne’s climate is unpredictable with great fluctuations in temperature, an adjustable system is suitable for the clients to choose their desired level of shading according to the conditions. External blinds are generally more effective than shadings that are located internally (e.g. curtains) as most of the heat still enters the room through the window (with internal shading).
Ventilation
Window Area (m2) 10.5 6.2 5.9 2.2
WINDOW AND GLAZING
SHADING FOR EAST AND WEST
Cross Ventilation
Approx. Wall Area (m2) 24 33 30 23
STACK VENTILATION
eave vent
air flow
Clerestory roof allows stack ventilation and enhances the effectiveness of cross ventilation. Cool breeze enters the house through the lower windows while warm air rises to the top and exist the space.
The north-facing slope is at a 30o angle to match the angle of installation for the PV panels. (30o is the optimal angle for annual solar input in Melbourne). The roof height varies greatly across the house, nonetheless, the lower ends still have a height of 2700mm. Reference
http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/shading http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/passive-cooling http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/passive-solar-heating http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/passive-cooling
PASSIVE DESIGN
WINDOW SCHEDULE W05
External walls are constructed with reverse brick veneer, weatherboard which has superior thermal performance compared with cladding regular brick veneer. The internal brick walls perform as thermal mass, providing passive heating for thermal comfort. In the daytime, the bricks absorb and store thermal energy (heat retention) and the stored heat is then slowly release when the temperature drops at night. edge Insulation
W07 W08 D01
2000 x 2100
W15
500 x 1500
W14
550 x 1500
W13
1000 x 2100
W10
275 x 2100
W09
750 x 2100
600 x 2100
W11 W12
CONCRETE SLAB-ON-GROUND
REVERSE BRICK VENEER
W06
470 x 1500
1000 x 600
1600 x 1500
2600 x 1500
W04
440 x 1500
W03
W02
700 x 600
W01
timber stud wall with R2.5 bulk insulation
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL AND METHOD
brick wall outside (for thermal mass)
R2 rigid board is installed as insulation for the ground slab as bulk insulation is generally too thick and not suitable. The slab edges are also insulated to prevent heat loss at the corners. Furthermore, carpet or other insulating materials are not used in the living (that receives solar gain) as it significantly diminishes the effectiveness of thermal mass.
W01 D01
W15
W02
Bathroom windows (W05 & W06) are peek-proof for privacy. Note: W05 cannot be opened and should be completely sealed.
WEATHERBOARD CLADDING
W03
WINDOW TYPE Casement windows offer large openings and effective ventilation. The window’s open sash performs as a flap to funnel wind, making casement a great choice to catch or deflect breeze from varying angles. Furthermore, the windows can be tightly sealed when closed to provide security and prevent heat loss through air leakage. Double glazing is used for all windows to achieve a lower U value. Having two layers of glass also lessens internal condensation and improves acoustic performance. The cavity (12mm gap) is filled with argon, a gas that is denser than air and less conductive, giving better insulation. Moreover, the cavity is sealed to reduce convective heat transfer. Composite framing with aluminium outer section and timber inner section make use of the advantages of both materials. Aluminium’s durability delivers a frame that requires low maintenance while the timber inside offers better insulation.
W14
• Relatively cost efficient • Low embodied energy • Non-load bearing
W04 W13
BUILDING WRAP
W05
Breathable membrane acts as a weather-resistant barrier that protects against moisture. It also enables water vapour from within the house to pass through to the exterior.
W06 W12
INSULATION
W07
In Melbourne, the BCA requires houses to have a total R value of at least R2.8 for the walls and a minimum of R4.1 for the roof/ceiling.
W11 D02 W10
W08
BULK INSULATION
W09
SHGC (SOLAR HEAT GAIN COEFFICIENT) & LOW-E
The house uses slab-on-ground construction for the foundation system because a slab with ground contact has greater thermal mass (earth coupling) than a suspended one. In summer, the earth has the capacity to take away excess heat load from the slab, providing a cooler surface. In winter, a slab-on-ground also maintain thermal comfort more easily and effectively.
Low emissivity glazing enables sunlight to enter the space but lessens the amount of the long wavelength infrared heat that can escape through the window.
• The north-facing windows have high solar gain glazing to enable more transmission of solar heat. They have a U-value of 3.2 and SHGC of 0.49. • East and west-facing windows have lower SHGC to stop overheating in summer (there is a trade-off between solar gain and summer cooling, nonetheless, the benefit of summer cooling overshadows the extra solar gain in winter). The windows have a U-value of 2.23 and SHGC of 0.39.
flashing roof cladding batten to attach the roof sarking insulation
ROOF
R3 glass-wool insulations are installed in the stud walls to resist the transfer of conducted heat. (Small air pockets between the layers prevent heat loss). There is also a 35mm air gap between the insulation the cladding, and the insulation is protected from moisture. Moreover, insulations are fitted at corners of the walls or small areas above doors/windows to prevent thermal bridge.
• Multi-cell foil batts sarking to reflect heat. • 25mm air space between the sarking and other materials. • Flashings around the roof edges to prevent water from getting in the structure. Reference
https://www.stegbar.com.au/ http://www.dowell.com.au/products/windows.html http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/thermal-mass http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/glazing
MATERIAL &CONSTRUCTOIN
LIGHTING
WALL COLOUR
LED
WARM WHITE/COOL WHITE/DAY LIGHT
The internal walls are painted in white because light coloured surfaces reflect more light than darker ones. This reduces the need for artificial lighting and provides a more visually spacious impression of the space.
LED bulbs are the most energy-efficient when compared to other types of lights such as halogen, incandescent, or compact fluorescent lamps (CFL). Although LED lights are more expensive, they have lower operational cost and longer lifespan. Consequently, they are still the most cost-saving option in the long run.
Warm lights (2700 – 3200 CCT) give a sense of warmth and create a cosier ambience, hence it is typically used in the living room and bedrooms. The kitchen can have either warm or cool lights, but since the living, dining, and kitchen are one single open space, warm lights are chosen to be consistency.
Outdoor wall-mounted light – 11W x2 Indoor wall-mounted light (kitchen & bathroom) – 8W x 4
https://reductionrevolution.com.au/products/osram-tri-colour-led-downlight?variant=12167562362982&curre ncy=AUD&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqs3rBRCdARIsADe1pfTIUssPcRAlu6IIGTewMDKaSjtsh6gPtYkqp4GxyI1cV0QrUM9BTV YaAtzkEALw_wcB
Ceiling fan with light – 20W x 4
https://www.bunnings.com.au/mercator-130cm-luna-ceiling-fan-with-led-light-black_p0043501
LED ceiling light – 25W x 11
https://onlinelighting.com.au/kore-25-watt-dimmable-led-ceiling-oyster-light-white-warm-white-ol48633wh
NCC LIGHTING REGULATIONS & LIGHTING CALCULATION AMBIENT LIGHT & TASK LIGHT PSU
PCD
NTD
Ambient lights are distributed evenly to illuminate spaces. Task lights for the kitchen are positioned strategically along the wall to avoid casting unwanted shadows on the countertop when cooking.
• The NCC requires 5W/m2 for indoor lighting • Floor area of the house = 92.7m2 • Total watt = 387W • Average lighting usage/m2 = 4.17
DIMMER
SMOKE DECTECTOR & ALARM
The lights in the living area and the bedrooms have dimmer controls for the client to alter the lighting to their desired level of brightness. The client can save power consumption by lowering the intensity when high luminosity is not needed. Likewise, adjusting the lighting can create different atmospheres for the dinner parties. Nevertheless, dimmers are not necessary for rooms with short time uses such as the bathroom.
• No smoke alarm in the kitchen as it can be easily triggered. • The smoke detectors are within two metres distance from the bedrooms’ entrances.
The devices are positioned close to the living area and the TV. PCD connects to the Pit on the west
1500 x 800mm
BATTERY WALL & INVERTER
TELECOM AND INTERNET CONNECTIONS
X12 PV SIZE & AREA CALCULATION
As the Ngs are working during the day, most of the electricity is consumed at night-time. Current feed-in-tariff for selling electricity back to the grid is currently at 12 cents per kWh, which is minimal financial return for the electricity that is not consumed in the daytime. Thus, a battery wall in the house stores the electricity produced. Although the battery can be expensive, it's more appropriate for the client pattern of use. Moreover, a central inverter is used as micro-inverter cannot be used directly with a battery system.
30O
The ideal system for a typical medium-size Australian home with 2-3 people is a 3kW system. The Ngs don’t have any children, but often have guests visiting, so 3kW is appropriate for their power consumption. One 800 x 1500mm panel produces around 200-300W of power. Therefore, the array needs about 12 panels for a 3kW system. This translates to a total surface area of 14.4 m2. The PV panels are at a 30o angle to receive the optimal annual solar input.
ELECTRICAL & TELECOM
Legend Ceiling Light Fitting
Single Light Switch
Smoke & Fire Alarm
Battery
PCD
PCD
Wall Light Fitting
Multiple Light Switch
Electrical Metre
Solar Array
PSU
PSU
Double Power Point
Exhaust Fan
Switchboard
Local Grid
NTD
NTD
Telecom Pit
REDUCE WATER CONSUMPTION
(NO) GAS CONNECTION
WATER TANK (TANKULATOR)
WATER SAVING TAPES & SHOWER HEADS
The house operates gas-free. The couple work for a solar company, so they should have great knowledge and understanding of solar power and electrical appliances. All the home appliances are energy-efficient and will operate using only electricity. (e.g. modern induction cooktops and solar hot water system). By not using gas, the clients also save on the fixed cost associated with connecting to the gas network. In fact, the gas price in Australia is still consistently rising. With improved technologies, the electrical options are becoming more affordable and eco-friendlier than using gas, contributing to lower greenhouse emission.
• The clients use about 650L of water daily, hence a 2000L water tank is sufficient. • The roof area is approximately 130m2. • Tank water available 83 days in a year. • If there are excessive water, they are discharged as stormwater.
Showering makes up a significant proportion of household water usage. While the clients have the responsibility of taking shorter showers, a water-saving showerhead also greatly reduces the water usage. Likewise, water-saving taps in the kitchen and bathroom can prevent water waste.
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HOT WATER SYSTEM Water heating is a major contributor to energy usage and greenhouse gas emission in residential homes. Therefore, hot water should only be used when it is necessary. For the clients’ house, hot water is only available for the kitchen tap, bathroom taps, and shower (the washing machine will only use cold water).
SEP
RAINWATER COLLECTION Utilising rainwater can lower mains water usage, thus cutting down the clients’ water bills. Collecting rainwater also suggests less stormwater runoff, which can diminish the likelihoods of local flooding.
ROOF MOUNTED SOLAR COLLECTORS The house has a solar hot water system – Evacuated tube solar collectors are chosen over the flat plate system as they are more efficient. Flat plate collectors are only effective when the sun is hitting the plates at a perpendicular angle. Furthermore, the flat plate system also experiences heat loss in cold temperature. In contrary, the evacuated tubes have a vacuum on the other layer, which prevent heat loss. The tubes are still effective in cooler seasons. Note, there is also rebates and incentive offered by the Australian government for a solar system.
pump filter
FILTERING SCREENS The rainwater system is carefully designed to prevent potential health threats such as disease-carrying mosquitos and harmful pathogen. Screens help to protect the water tank inlets and overflows by excluding mosquitoes. Similarly, gutter leaf screen and leaf-shedding rain-head prevent excessive leaf build-up (leaves falling into gutter/downpipe and blocking the pipes). There is also no vegetation that overhangs the roof for leaves to fall on the roof. The leaf screens act as the initial filtering layer, but dust and smaller particle remain present in the rainwater.
http://tankulator.ata.org. au/interactive.php
COLD AND HOT WATER CONNECTION The house is still connected to the mains water supply for security
EAVE GUTTER PUMP
FIRST FLUSH DIVERTER
A pump controller switches on and off in response to the water flow.
The eave gutters have a fall to discharge the rainwater towards the outlets. A downpipe is connected to the gutter at every 9 metres to prevent the gutter from filling up.
A diverter is necessary if the rainwater is for human consumption. The device helps to filter smaller particles, including dust and bird-droppings, that would otherwise accumulate as sediments in the bottom of the water tank. Furthermore, the components need to be easily removeable for monthly cleaning of the parts. Reference
http://www.yourhome.gov.au/water/rainwater http://www.yourhome.gov.au/water https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/You-and-your-home/Save-energy/Hot-water/Choose-a-hot-water-syst em
WATER & GAS SUPPLY
SEWER CONNECTIONS
STORMWATER CONNECTIONS
MANAGING STORMWATER
The sewer pit is located at the north-eastern side of the site at a level of 59.46. The lowest point on site is towards the north (59.46); and the highest point is towards the south (59.80). This existing site contour/slope is advantageous for the drainage system as the plumber doesn’t need to dig as deep to give fall to the pipes.
The water tank will store rainwater collected from the roof. The result from Tankulator suggests that only 1 day in a year, there will be excessive water that needs to be released as stormwater.
Most of the lawn is left untouched on-site (minimise the area of impervious surfaces) to reduce stormwater runoff. Driveway and the footpath leading to the front entrance of the house are permeable paving that can detain stormwater.
The stormwater is a separate system from the sewer system. Stormwater is untreated before it's guided directly to the legal point of discharge. Nonetheless, they need to be discharged appropriately to avoid causing erosion, chemical pollution, or local flooding.
S sewer pit
WASTEWATER RECYCLING SYSTEMS - GREYWATER PIPE FALL
COLLECTION
SEP
Taking advantage of greywater lessens the clients’ overall water usage. It also helps to reduce the demand on infrastructure for sewage. The greywater system collects wastewater from the showers, bathtub, bathroom sinks, and washing machine. On the other hand, wastewater from the toilet and the kitchen sink are blackwater with pathogen and grease, so that water is disposed to the sewer.
The pipes are at least 300mm below the ground throughout the entire course. Moreover, a fall allows gravity to direct the wastewater towards the sewer pit, from high to low. The pipes drop at a gradient of 1.65% to have an adequate fall. This is important for the pipe to achieve self-cleaning action and to prevent sediments build-up. Also, there should be no right angle at the junctions as pipe changes direction.
REUSING GREYWATER Untreated greywater cannot be kept for more than 24 hours as the water begins to turn septic. Although heavily treated greywater may be stored for longer or used indoor, it is more economical for the clients to only use greywater for gardening and toilet flushing. The equipment for further filtration and purification are generally very costly (even the basic set up is expensive). Despite the high financial cost for the instalment and maintenance, the Ngs intend to live in the house for a long period of time, so the investment on a basic greywater system is fully justified.
vent
GARDENING DRAIN-WASTE-VENT (DWV) SYSTEM The vent for the drainage system enables air to circulate within the plumbing system, which prevents the accumulation of sewer gases and the potential of an explosion. It also removes odour and helps to maintain a neutral level of air pressure in the pipes. The air in the pipes allows the build-up of sediments to oxidise (natural purification process).
Filter ensure that greywater travels smoothly in the system. Greywater can be directly diverted from the shower or bathroom sink for toilet flushing. Reference
http://www.yourhome.gov.au/water/stormwater http://www.yourhome.gov.au/water/rainwater http://www.yourhome.gov.au/water/wastewater-reuse https://www.ozbreed.com.au/grey-water-research/
The type of plant for the garden depends on the soil and climate conditions. The clients need to be selective and choose vegetations that can adapt well to a greywater system. On top of that, the clients need to monitor the soil to ensure that the pH level is healthy for the plants. Callistemon, Dianella Caerulea, and Melaleuca are picked for the garden as they are Australian Native plants that require low maintenance.
CLOTHING/BODY INSULATION
ACTIVE HEATING SYSTEM
The clients should dress appropriately for the climate conditions and temperature to achieve thermal comfort. By wearing warm clothing and having the body well insulated, artificial heating may not be required at all and energy can be saved.
HEAT LAMP IN THE BATHROOMS
ZONING
Bathrooms don’t require a lot of heating as the occupants are only going to be using the spaces for short periods of time. Heat lamps provide instant radiant heat and light simultaneously. Even though the lamps have high energy usage, they release heat instantaneously, which is suitable for space that demands quick heating but a short timeframe.
HYDRONIC FLOOR HEATING FOR THE LIVING ROOM
Zoning is important to ensure the effectiveness of any heating strategies. Heating should be limited to the room/space that the occupant is using. Having a smaller area means it is faster to heat up and more economical with less energy consumed.
Hydronic floor heating is an expensive system to install. Nonetheless, the operational cost is moderately low as the hot water supply comes from the solar system (renewable energy generated on-site). Likewise, the water in the system is recycled – hot water is pumped into the pipes while water that has cooled down circulates back to be reheated. H
ostat
Therm
T
HYDRONIC HEATING PANELS IN THE BEDROOMS Hydronic panels are a very costly initial investment. Nevertheless, they have very low greenhouse gas emissions compared to a system operating on electricity. Similar to the hydronic floor heating, the operational cost can be low if the water is heated with a renewable energy source.
HWS
H
H
• The panels have reasonably quick response time (quicker than the floor heating due to the direct exposure). • Timers on the panels can control heating and stop the heater from operating overnight. • Can be intrusive with the layout as the panel is attached to the wall.
INTEGRATION WITH CONSTRUCTION AND PASSIVE THERMAL STRATEGIES The pipes are in a screed layer above the concrete structural slab. Concrete is a great thermal mass that retains heat, which will enhance the effective of floor heating. The finish flooring in the living is left as the polished concrete screed as addition layer on top diminsh the effectiveness of thermal mass.
Floor heating is a clean and healthy source of heating with no draft or dust. Most of the generated heat is distributed to the room through thermal radiation. This means the floor releases heat slowly, giving comfortable heating. Furthermore, the operation is very safe as there are no exposed electrical connections or potential fire hazards. However, the heating takes time and the floor often still release heat after it is turned off. Due to this disadvantage, the floor heating is only for the area that is occupied for a long period of time - the living room. Hydronic requires very low maintenance as the pipes only need to be flushed occasionally. The slab should be insulated (especially the edges) to minimise heat loss. Since the pipes are all hidden under the finishing floor, the heating system has no impact on furniture layout. This keeps the living room flexible, which is important for the clients as they might want to move the furniture around when guests come over.
Reference http://www.yourhome.gov.au/energy/heating-and-cooling
HEATING STRATEGIES
COOLING STRATEGIES
CEILING FAN
The house is next to the beach so there can be substantial temperature fluctuations due to the strong, cooling sea breeze. Vegetations help to filter the wind, and openable windows control the ventilation of the house.
A fan is the most economical method of active cooling. It helps to circulate air in a room, but it has limited effect on cooling as it doesn’t change the room temperature. nevertheless, active air movement encourages perspiration and evaporation, which assist the human body to cool down. Fans are installed throughout the house, in the living room and in the bedroom, to work with window ventilation. The distance between each fan is at least 3x the length of the blade length of the fan. The fans require low maintenance from the client – the Ngs only have to occasionally dust off the blades.
ACTIVE COOLING SYSTEM EVAPORATIVE COOLER An evaporative cooler works by evaporating water to absorb heat from the hot air. A fan then blows the cooled air into the house. The process adds moisture back into the indoor space; thus, the system performs more effectively in low humidity climate with dry air that has greater potential to absorb water vapour. The cooler is relatively cheap to purchase and install, and it has low operational cost (only the water pump and fan use energy). However, as mentioned before, the cooler is ineffective when the weather is too humid. Consequently, the ceiling fan should be the prioritized method of cooling, and the only in extreme heat, the cooler will be operating.
PORTABLE FAN
The water supply for the cooler is the mains water. This is to avoid build-up of harmful bacteria other substances in the system. The unit also requires some maintenance where the water inside needs to be tipped regularly.
INTEGRATION WITH CONSTRUCTION & PASSIVE COOLING STRATEGIES
Additional cooling with portable fan can be used as a back-up. While they may be intrusive with the furniture, the client can easily move them around for temporary cool-off.
evapourative cooler on the roof power for fan water discharge mains water
• Ventilation works in conjunction with ceiling fans to enhance air flow • Windows need to be opened when using the evaporative cooler (for hot air to escape the house)
Reference http://www.yourhome.gov.au/energy/heating-and-cooling
COOLING STRATEGIES
GREYWATER
AWNING SHADING
• Minimise the use of cleaning chemicals • Choose low or no sodium laundry detergents for healthier greywater • Avoid eating raw vegetable watered with the greywater system • Discharge the untreated greywater after 24hours • Check on the vegetations in the garden regularly to ensure that the greywater system is functional
• Roll down the awning blinds for the east and west-facing windows in the morning and afternoon during summer to shade the building against the harsh, direct sun. • Adjust the level of coverage and angle of the shading device to find a balance between shading and allowing sunlight. Shading devices that have light coloured underside allow more sunlight to reflect into the rooms.
TAPS & SHOWERHEADS & SINK • Ensure that taps and showerheads are fully turned off after each use • Do not dump random substances/liquids down the sink in the bathroom as the wastewater leads to the greywater system. • Do not leave the tap on when brushing teeth • Be mindful of the water consumption
WINDOWS FOR SOLAR GAIN • Clean north-facing windows regularly to ensure solar gain is not compromised. Clear windows enable more solar radiant and sunlight to enter the house. • Use a ladder to clean the windows if they are too high to reach.
BEDROOM HEATING & COOLING
VENTILATION
• Close the bedroom door if the hydronic panel is turned on (zoning) • Inform guests who are staying overnight to set a timer for the hydronic panel so the heater doesn’t operate for the whole night.
• Open multiple windows that are adjacent all at once for cross-ventilation to occur. • Lock the opened windows in place to prevent the strong coastal wind from accidentally slamming them shut.
POWER CONSUMPTION & OUTAGE
RAINWATER
• Use the PV generated electricity that is stored in the battery if the mains grid is experiencing a power outage. • Turn off any light if no one is using • Be mindful of the electricity consumption
• Wash the rainwater tank inlet and outlet screens once every month to maintain a hygienic system that doesn’t attract mosquitoes breeding. • Do monthly cleaning of the first flush diverter to prevent small dirt particle from accumulating. • Remove any debris and clean the rooftop/eaves gutters annually • Check filter for the rainwater tank annually Reference
HOME USER MANUAL
Environmental Building Systems - ABPL20036 Semester 2 - 2019
First Rate Energy Assessment Project Information Mode Climate Site Exposure Client Name Rated Address Accredited Rater Date
Walls New Home 21 Melbourne RO Suburban Mr Ng & Husband
Type Reverse Brick Veneer Internal Plasterboard Stud Wall
Insulation R3.0
114.3
R3.0
97.9
Floors
Lloyd Hsieh
Type
05/09/2019
Insulation
CSOG: Slab on Ground
Energy Usage Mode
Energy (MJ/m2)
Total Heating Cooling
Area (m2)
Ventilation
Area (m2)
encl
R2.0
92.7
Roof/Ceiling
40.6 31.4 9.2
Type Vent: Roof with Ventilators and Eave Vents
Insulation
Area (m2)
R5.0
92.7
Areas Area Net Conditioned Floor Area (NCFA) Unconditioned Room Area Garage Area
Windows
Size (m2) 86.5 6.2 0.0
Zones
Type Composite B DG Argon Fill Low Solar Gain Low-E
U-value 2.23
SHGC 0.39
Area (m2) 11.06
Composite B DG Argon Fill High Solar Gain Low-E
3.20
0.49
12.65
Window Directions Zone
Kitchen/Dining Living Bedroom 1 Bedroom 2 Bedroom 3 WC Laundry Ensuite Bathroom Hallway
Area (m ) 2
36.3 36.3 10.6 11.1 13.6
Heating (MJ/m2) 16.9 16.9 49.9 28.1 59.4
Total Heating (MJ) 613.2 613.2 530.5 310.9 809.1
Cooling (MJ/m2) 21.6 21.6 10.9 5.8 2.0
Total Cooling (MJ) 783.9 783.9 115.7 64.9 27.8
1.5 3.0 3.4
102.6 25.7
312.7 87.6
0 0
0 0
4.7 8.4
96.4
807.2
3.4
28.3
Student Name: Lloyd Hsieh
Direction N
Area (m2)
10.5
Direction E
Area (m2) 6.2
Direction W
Area (m2)
Direction S
4.9
Area (m2) 2.2
Roof/Ceiling Penetration Type Exhaust Fan Vent
Student Number: 9964864
Location
Quantity
Kitchen & bathroom 2
Final Star Rating: 8.4
Sealed 2
Area (m2)