best result for your dollar, energy efficient windows

Here is my rule of thumb for best result for your dollar, energy efficient windows, for the east coast nsw, hunter valley...

1. Windows to the north should be big, and MUST have a 500mm overhang directly over the WINDOW
they should just be regular glass, single glazing

2. windows to the south and east should be smaller/ less area of glass to wall ratio, and should be "viridian comfort plus" single glazing

3. Windows to the west should be bare minimum opening, if at all. they should also be "comfort plus". Any large windows to the west needed eg. for a bedroom, should have a screen ( eg lattice or battens), set away from the window about 1m or so, so the room does not feel not boarded up, but the screen will cast a shadow over the window when the sun hits the west.


 IMAGE OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT'S AVERY COONLEY PLAYHOUSE:
one of my favourite windows ever!

4. Double glazing is to keep a house warm in the cold. Not really necessary in this area if the house is well  designed. Yes argon filled double glazing is the best, but so expensive! Instead, spend you money on foil under the roof, R2.5 batts in the ceiling, and R1 with foil in the walls.

5. Still cold? then get into curtains with pelmets for the winter. Curtains are such an under-rated house fashion item... you can wash them and pack them away for summer, (or still use in summer to keep cool- however external blinds are better for this...) and you can change your curtain prints with your fashion tastes!

Vote your best green architecture

Dear everyone,
Are you as fully engaged in other things as I am...too busy to read all the latest goss? how lovely to find on (one of my fave sites...I've said it before!) --INHABITAT -- a shake down of the best 6 green arch stories of the year, nicely presented and ready for you to vote on your fave...

Hobbits will go WILD!

http://inhabitat.com/top-6-green-architecture-stories-of-2010-vote-for-your-favorite/

Non-Toxic Paint

Making your own paint with help from Earth Pigments.


Recently a mother-to-be asked me about what kind of paint she could use in her nursery to paint a baby's cot. I think that everyone, of all ages, should only have to be exposed to non-toxic paint.

Non- toxic paints are not only safe for when a child likes to suck, lick, chew(?) furniture, but also paints generally have substances in them known ans Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's), which release harmful fumes into the air. This is also known as "off gassing". You know that new car smell? Thats a toxic smell of VOC's and breathing them in is bad for you, causing respiratory problems and long term kidney problems. In Europe, most paints containing VOC's have been banned, as they are more advanced in health studies which show breathing in paint fumes (lasting for years after the paint has dried) have long lasting health issues. So of course you don't want a tiny baby exposed to the stuff.

So what to do? Lucky there are lots of good paints now available.
I personally like BioPaint, its one of the better priced non toxic paints (yes these non-toxic points can be more expensive but if you are just painting a cot its OK!) You can get non toxic paint in some eco type shops or on-line at somewhere like:
Colours by Nature
or
The Enviroshop
or
The EcoShop

Most big paint manufacturers also make low VOC paints, just look on the tin in the hardware store... but its what the paint is actually made from which adds to your thinking. The bio and natural paints are usually sourced from natural and not synthetic or chemical ingredients.

If its all to tricky... how about making your own paint! You can make traditional "Milk Paint"-
its just made of milk powder, lime, vinegar and some kind of coloring if you don't want white!
I made it once and it is great... but not smooth like a gloss paint... more textured like a light render. But at least you know what it is made of and its cheap!!!
there is a nice recipe at:
Earth Pigments

Good luck with your painting adventure!!
Jo

Save Energy and Save Money: Latest rebates from the government

I will be running a workshop for Port Stevens Council residents this Saturday on reducing energy use in the home.
Below is an overview of the latest rebates in NSW and Nationally in case you can't attend, or would like some details:
Please note that these change quite regularly so it is best to check for yourself at: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ (NSW) and http://www.livinggreener.gov.au/ (National).

NSW Home Saver Rebates
(for energy...water rebates not detailed here)
These are available for:
Hot water systems- if you swap from electric Hot Water to solar or gas or heat pump = $300 rebate
PLUS: from the federal government, if you swap to solar hot water = $1000 rebate or $800 for a heat pump.
Fridges- cash in your old fridge for $35 (+they collect it for free!) (www.fridgebuyback.com.au)

Solar and Wind Rebates, additional hot water rebates (on top of the others!) and other goodies (RECs):
Depending on the capability of your renewable energy system or hot water system you will be allocated a number of Renewable energy certificates (RECs). You can trade these yourself, but most renewable installers will glean them off you in return for a discount on your purchase.

A Newcastle Company that I recommend for Solar system setups is Solar Online Australia they have a guide to general prices with the RECs rebate shown at http://www.solaronline.com.au/solar_system_pricing

Things to consider with your new renewable energy system..
A very good document has been produced by the clean energy council: called the Consumer guide to solar PV. This tells you just about everything you need to know about buying panels.

-make sure the installer of your solar panels or wind turbine has a Grid-connect Design & Install accreditation from the Clean Energy Council.

- have your system fitted with a gross meter, rather than a net meter, so it is easier to comply with the "gross feed-in tarrif"- see below.

NSW Gross Feed-In Tariff = $$$$$ for you!
This is a very exciting development in the grid-connect solar and wind power world. If you have solar panels or a wind turbine installed on your home and they are connected to the grid (rather than a "stand-alone" system) you can register to be paid 60 cents per kilowatt hour for ALL the electricity you generate. (or 66c from some electricity providers) Not just the energy you don't use, ALL OF THE ENERGY! It does not matter which electricity company you are with. (But you need to have a gross feed in meter and a system smaller than 10kilowatt capacity) This scheme will run until 2017 (although it is due to be reviewed in 2012 or when the total renewable power capacity reaches 50 megawatts).
Helpful practical information on details and actually joining up to this scheme is found on the Climate Action Newcastle website . Don't forget to ring and double check that everything has gone though with your electricity company in a few months time.



These are just some of the MANY current rebates on offer to help you live more sustainably.

The best general website with clear information on all of the above is:
www.livinggreener.gov.au

Lettuce growing on skyscrapers

No more need to grow plants the traditional, horizontal way! Now plants can grow miles high, vertically! Covering buildings in inspired greenery, with a new product from Atlantis (who make all sorts of great water recycling and harvesting modules) called Grow-Wall, you can easily have amazing "green" buildings. For tiny outdoor spaces like apartment balconies, this could be really great!

PS yes it has been a while since I posted. I think it is time to start again!

Sustainable House Day

A Date for the Diary: Sustainable Homes Day...
On the weekend of the 13th/14th September, houses which are sustainable will open their doors for the public to come in and have a look, and ask questions of the residents. ANZSES (Aust and NZ solar energy Society) are organising some of the tours. Their site has details of tours which may be in your area. http://www.solarhouseday.com.au/
Your local council may also be organising something.

Newcastle city council will be running something at the GAIA Sustainable living demonstration home, which is open every third Saturday of the month generally, and well worth a visit!

Community: A small group of thoughtful ....

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has" Margaret Mead

Permaculture Central Coast ran a wonderful day of workshops on Sunday mixed with yummy food, homemade cakes and teas, and music.
The workshops ranged in the areas of Garden, Home, Natural Health, Traditional crafts and Food.
I learned some new native food and medicine plants from Jake Cassar, updated my knowledge on Composting and Worm farming from Lisa Wriley of the Kariong Eco Garden, then I gave a short workshop on Passive Solar design.
After a delicious lunch and music from Jake Cassar, I attended a workshop by Teresa Rutherford on repelling insects naturally, and then Peter Meloy talked about making his existing home(pictured) into a sustainable house. In the picture you can see the photovoltaic cells on his roof. Peter showed us his last electricity bill.. for $8.00 CREDIT!

My overall impression of the day was HOORAY for Permaculture Central Coast. Such a well organised event only cost attendees about $30 for the day, and so much information and hands on knowledge was available. Sometimes I go to similar day-long events held in fancy hotels with gourmet catering , which cost hundreds of dollars to attend, and don't learn nearly enough. I really appreaciate community groups who spend their own time to help others. Good on you.

Happy 2008 and a nice website to start it off!

yet another great WEBSITE: Inhabitat
These guys have a great motto:

GREEN DESIGN IS GOOD DESIGN
GOOD DESIGN IS GREEN DESIGN

This is a blog-like site, with tasty snipppets of all the latest funky green designs they can find. Including treehouse architecture! Plenty of images and video clips. This site has made it to my RSS feeder so congratulations Inhabitat!!

Study architectue and forestry simultaneously!

The 4th August broadcast of By Design (ABC RN) featured the design of buildings which create less waste in their construction process.
It is available for mp3download or perusal .
Peter Graham, from the University of New South Wales Environment and Sustainability Research Group, spoke.
One of the most interesting notions was a joint project the UNSW is doing with a university in Japan. This university runs a course in architecture and forestry. So both professions become more knowledgeable in each field.. What a GREAT idea!

Meanwhile I have found 2 more good websites on sustainable materials choices,
one which is from the US, and slightly outdated, but the theory in there is helpful, and a nice idea for a website...
AIA Sustainable Design Resource Guide

The other is Eco-Find : based in Victoria but useful for all Australia, it allows one to search for particular products by category and area. It is not as credible as the Ecospecifier, however on first use it seems quite sound.

WORKSHOP: Solar Passive Design (at Swansea)

Hello to all the lovely people who attended this workshop! If you have any comments or questions please click the "comments" link below, and let me know. Thank you for attending, it was a very good workshop! Jo

WEBSITE REVIEW: Good Wood Guide

Greenpeace have just launched their Good Wood Guide.
It is not quite finished, but will give you some ideas about where to start looking for sustainable timber. It's a really difficult project, as truly knowing if wood is good means knowing the entire process from the tree to the piece of timber. This was the idea behind FSC timber. However FSC timber producers are only just starting up in Australia, so generally any FSC timber you would be purchasing would be imported from overseas.
The Rainforest Information Centre's NSW Good Wood Guide was really awesome but sadly it is now out of date, and no funds to update it. However it has great background information to help you understand the real issues of purchasing sustainable timber.
My answer is to use secondhand wherever possible! Flooring, windows and doors especially are easy, and so much cheaper, if not free!!

PONDERINGS:The Cost of Sustainabl extras

I was reading a comment by Caroline Pidcock (currently pres. of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council) in the Sydney Morning Herald March 24-25.
She said:
"I've seen alot of clients not query how much they spend on consumer goods and gagets for the house, such as televisions and stereo systems, but complain about how much a water tank is to put in." (My Career p8)
So true Caroline. Indeedy, some folk boast proudly of the excessive amounts they spent on a plasma TV or other item for the home.
Let us be pround of the amounts we are spending on our sustainable extras.
Money well spent, in my account book.

EVENT: Solar Passive Workshop

Yes, another workshop! I love running workshops, they are such a great way to share knowledge. on the 1st of May Lake Macquarie council is organising a free passive solar workshop, which I will run. Places are filling fast so contact council if you are interested in attending. Ph. 49210144

EVENT: ALL ABOUT GREEN ENERGY &PASSIVE SOLAR SOLUTIONS

I will be running afew workshops in the Hunter region this year.
If you live in the Blue Gum Hills region (Maryland, Fletcher and Minmi) you might like to come along to the workshop I will be running there on Wednesday April 18 (in the school holidays) From 12 noon-2pm.
ALL ABOUT GREEN ENERGY &PASSIVE SOLAR SOLUTIONS:
Learn about the different options available for your home (eg. appliance, passive solar measures and simple lifestyle changes) to save energy and how you can use your power bill to invest in a renewable future for your children (and theirs).
You will need to book for this workshop so call 49742837 if interested.

WEBSITE REVIEW: Low Rise, Low impact

Well from Very High-Rise to Very Low rise.
I feel like a hobbit might answer the door here.
This is very much a hand-made house in Wales. Have a look at the sweet website for more info and images.

WEBSITE REVIEW: BuildSmart Sustainable Building Education Centre

I must say, Victoria has really got some good sustainable education facitites.
Holmesglen Institute of TAFE have a Sustianable Building Education Centre at which you can visit their show home, take courses at and get information generally.
Their website has more info and also has some nice easy to read .pdf fact sheets.

WEBSITE REVIEW: smart communities network

The Smart Communities Network is a US based "green building" site with an international outreach. They are "creating energy smart communities"
This site has typical good info on environmentally responsible building.
My favourite section is the green building success stories which is a large yet clear collection of international info and links to sucessful examples of the following:
() Integrated Green Building Techniques
() Affordable Green Building
() Green Residential Developments
() Green Renovation Projects
() Energy Efficiency
() Materials/Water Conservation

WEBSITE REVIEW: Your Home

This is a great all-rounder of a site for Australians interested in greening their homes. As the site says:
"Your Home is a suite of consumer and technical guide materials and tools developed to encourage the design, construction or renovation of homes to be comfortable, healthy and more environmentally sustainable."
It covers just about everything, and most of the information is quite detailed.It is very nicely presented and you can also order a CD and/ or reference manual.
www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/

WEBSITE REVIEW: Square 1

Square 1 is the best website I have ever met for understanding and practicing passive solar design.
It is run by the University of Cardiff in Wales,UK.
The information can be used globally... just remember that Northern Hemisphere countries worship Southern Sun where as in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the Northerly Sun we desire.

The site offers free on-line education in passive solar design, and free use of heaps f great tools including the wonderful "solar tool" ( under software/other tools/the solar tool). This downloadable program easily creates a 3D model of any window you wish to test for solar access. You can try out all sorts of shading options, watch the sun cast shadows on it any time of the day, any day of the year, and then get a list of the monthly shading co-efficients. Fantastic!

WEBSITE REVIEW: Design and detailing for deconstruction

Design for Deconstruction is a very chockers and useful sustinable building link from the UK...

"a wonderfully produced substantial guide for detailing of buildings for easy deconstruction. It clearly illustrates and discusses the detailing of five typical costruction systems, showing and contrasting details for both normal and design-for-deconstruction approaches. Its discussion is quite practice focussed and includes commentary on costs, defects liability, and insurance issues. The whole is a 2.5MB pdf but also downloadable in a number of parts." Matt Fisher ABSA


Detailing for the Deconstruction of Buildings, a guide developed at the University of Dundee, Scotland, encourages designers and builders to use materials and methods that would enable the bulk of buildings to be reused or recycled once they have reached the end of their useful lives. Methods can involve a variety of measures, from using lime mortars and renders instead of cement—allowing bricks and blocks to be more easily separated—to exploring different types of insulation and more durable materials such as reusable ceiling tiles. “The guide’s alternative details are designed for maximum “applicability” rather than ultimate greenness,” says Fiona Stevenson, chair of the Scottish Ecological Design Association. http://www.seda2.org/dfd/index.htm