The Cape Eco Village Shines with 8.2 Star Rating Homes
The Cape Eco Village showcases two homes that achieved an impressive 8.2 star rating.
The Cape Eco Village homes are designed to utilize renewable energy, without the use of fossil fuels and to export a surplus of clean energy to the grid. The development located at Cape Paterson, an hour away from Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs will comprise 219 homes built with minimum 7.5 star rating. These homes will feature onsite solar energy generation, stormwater and rainwater use.
These display homes have been built and fitted out by TS Constructions, a Wonthaggi based builder. The Cape project team commissioned additional home designs from architects and builders to encourage the adoption of sustainable efficient and climate responsive housing. To view these other design options, the concepts are downloadable from www.liveatthecape.com.au
Boasting an impressive 8.2 star rating, the display home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms comprising 196 square meter double storey which features a diverse range of sustainability features. The home showcases 5kw solar pv panels, double glazing, insulation, strategic shading, electric vehicle charge points, renewable clean energy for heating, cooling, cooking and lighting. The display home also features 10,000 litre rainwater storage, raised vegetable and garden beds, and the most advanced and efficient electrical appliances. These design elements are fully integrated to create a home that completely runs on clean and renewable energy sources.
The 5.0kW solar photovoltaic system has been supplied and installed by Trina, inverter by Sunnyboy. The system has a clever digital energy monitor to show energy generation and use. NewGen Solar supplied the Sanden hot water heat pump system. The Sanden Eco heat pump is an impressive, intelligent and advanced system that reduces the energy costs by up to 78% compared to traditional electric heaters.
The display home has been fully insulated utilising R2.5 insulation in all the external walls, ceilings under roofline are insulation to R5.0 and floor insulation are R3.0. Earthwool batts are the preferred insulation material.
To minimise air leakage, windows and aluminium doors are double glazed aluminium units with low-e glazing, and all window and door openings have a 20mm compressible bead applied between the building frame and the unit.
Extra thermal mass has been included in the home through rammed earth blockwork via locally sourced in situ gravel.
Fixed pitch, aluminium blade window shades, designed and manufactured by Sunex, have been installed on selected first floor windows to reduce thermal heat gain in summer while allowing for thermal penetration in winter. A timber pergola has been built on the lower level to achieve the same result.
All garage and carport is fitted with a dedicated 15amp charge point. This point is suitable to service all brands of electric vehicles.
Source: The Sanctuary Magazine