australia’s guide to environmentally sustainable...
TRANSCRIPT
Written by architects, designers and builders for Australian practitioners and you, this manual is a powerful tool for making your home great to live in, affordable to build and efficient to run.
www.yourhome.gov.au
Australia’s guide to environmentally sustainable homes
Australia’s guide to environmentally sustainable hom
es
5th Edition
5th Edition
Discover how to adapt your home to changes in your lifestyle.
Be inspired! Your Home showcases some of the best sustainable homes in Australia.
Discover the secrets of making your home healthy, safe and sustainable.
Find out how to make your home work with Australian conditions.
Understand how you can make use of orientation, ventilation, insulation and thermal mass.
Explore ways to fit your home into its neighbourhood and community.
Find out how your home can avoid the problems of water shortages and increasing energy costs.
Learn how your home can meet the challenge of climate change.
Check out how green walls, bricks and straw can all be part of your home.
Learn to landscape your home for biodiversity and sustainability.
9 781925 006148 >
ISBN 978-1-925006-14-8
Australian climate zones
Australian climate zones The eight climate zones used in Your Home are defined by the Building Code of Australia (BCA). Each climate zone has distinctly different design and construction requirements. Within each main zone are many regional sub-zones determined by local geographic features including wind patterns and height above sea level. The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme identifies 69 of these sub-zones, which the BCA addresses and which can be called up by postcode.
Source: Australian Building Codes Board
Zone Description
1 Hot humid summer, warm winter
2 Warm humid summer, mild winter
3 Hot dry summer, warm winter
4 Hot dry summer, cool winter
5 Warm temperate
6 Mild temperate
7 Cool temperate
8 Alpine
Latitude 20º South
Wyndham
Tennant Creek
Katherine
Broome
Newman
Yalgoo
Exmouth
Carnarvon
Geraldton
PERTH
Bunbury
Ceduna
Esperance
Albany
EuclaWhyalla
Albury-Wodonga
Ballarat
Bourke
Broken Hill
WollongongSYDNEY
Newcastle
CoffsHarbour
BRISBANE
CharlevilleMaryborough
Rockhampton
Mackay
Longreach
Townsville
Cairns
Cooktown
Weipa
Tamworth
Coober Pedy
ADELAIDE
CANBERRA
MELBOURNE
Launceston
HOBART
Mildura
Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Warburton
Alice Springs
Mount Isa
DARWIN
Australia’s guide to environmentally sustainable homes5th Edition
ii
Your Home
Department of Industry
Your Home is a collaborative project of Australian governments and the building and design industries.The 1st edition was developed in 2001 for the Australian Government by the Institute of Sustainable Futures (ISF), University of Technology Sydney. Subsequent editions have been updated by ISF, other organisations and individual experts on behalf of the Australian Government. The 5th edition was managed on behalf of the Australian Government by the Department of Industry.1st edition 2001 2nd edition 2004 3rd edition 2005 4th edition 2008 4th edition 2010 (reprinted with minor updates) 5th edition 2013ISBN 978-1-925006-14-8 (print version) ISBN 978-1-925006-15-5 (web version)CopyrightThe material in this publication is copyright Commonwealth of Australia except as provided below and as indicated in this publication. All material is presented in this publication under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 3.0 Australia licence, with the exception of: ▪ the Commonwealth Coat of Arms ▪ this Department’s logo ▪ content that is specified as being subject to third party
copyright limitations.Details of the relevant licence conditions are available on the Creative Commons website as is the full legal code for the CC BY 3.0 Australia licence.
AttributionYou are free to copy, communicate and adapt the Commonwealth copyright material in this publication, so long as you attribute the Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Industry) and the authors in the following manner:
Citation(Author name/s of relevant section) Department of Industry. 2013. Your Home: Australia’s guide to environmentally sustainable homes, 5th edition.© Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Industry) 2013Third party copyrightWherever a third party holds copyright in material presented in this publication, the copyright remains with that party. Their permission may be required to use the material.This Department has made all reasonable efforts to: ▪ clearly label material where the copyright is owned by a third
party and identify the owner of such material ▪ ensure that the copyright owner has consented to this material
being presented on this website.Using the Commonwealth Coat of ArmsThe terms of use for the Coat of Arms are available from the It’s an Honour website.IMPORTANT NOTICE — PLEASE READWhile reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are factually correct, the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the contents, and expressly disclaims liability for any loss or damage whether due to negligence or otherwise however caused that may be occasioned directly or indirectly through the use of, or reliance on, the contents of this publication.Material in this publication is made available on the understanding that the Commonwealth is not providing professional advice and should not be taken to indicate the Commonwealth’s commitment to a particular course of action. Different solutions and outcomes may apply in individual circumstancesBefore relying on any material contained in this publication, readers should obtain appropriate professional advice suitable to their particular circumstances.References to various websites, publications and organisations, including commercial organisations and/or particular products in this publication are included for the information of the reader only and should not in any way be construed as an endorsement of any website, publication, organisation or product by the Commonwealth. Conversely, the fact that a particular website, publication, organisation or product is not mentioned in this publication should not be taken as any indication of the Commonwealth’s opinion of that website, publication, organisation or product. Neither the Department of Industry nor the Commonwealth can accept any responsibility for the content of any material that may be encountered on the websites or in the publications referred to in this publication.The materials used in this publication were chosen by and based on the judgements of the people involved.Editors: in writing and Department of Industry (5th edition) Design concepts, illustration editing, indexing and HTML conversion: Biotext, CanberraDesign production: Biotext and Papercut, CanberraCover illustrations: Kirsten Duncan (front), Tony Law (back)Printing: Canprint Communications, Canberra
Acknowledgements
iii
Your Home
PrefaceWelcome to the fifth edition of Your Home—Australia’s most comprehensive guide to environmentally sustainable homes. This publication continues a long-standing effort by the Australian Government, in partnership with the building and design industry, to give everyone interested in building homes for a sustainable future, comprehensive, expert and independent advice.
As a resource for people aiming to build, buy or renovate a sustainable home, Your Home has proven its value time and time again. As energy and water costs have increased, along with community awareness of climate change and the need to protect our environment, it has become more and more relevant.
Your Home was originally published as a technical manual in 2001. It was the first Australian publication of information on sustainable building practices aimed at ordinary householders as well as building professionals. From the outset, the printed version was published in parallel with a website that made material readily available to people who don’t need or want the full printed version.
The intent has always been to keep Your Home up-to-date, to match significant changes in the building industry. For example, building energy efficiency standards were added to the Building Code of Australia for the first time in 2003 and have been progressively increased over time; water efficiency requirements have been introduced in a number of jurisdictions.
Changes in this edition of Your Home respond to user feedback and reviews of previous editions. The major change is that a single publication incorporates the previous technical manual, buyer’s guide and renovator’s guide. The revised structure brings the information needs of home buyers and renovators up-front, and moves some more general topics on housing development to the end of the publication.
The text and diagrams in all sections of Your Home have been checked for currency and accuracy and updated where necessary, and references to other documents and websites have been updated. The principal and updating authors are listed at the end of each article.
A new, smaller, set of case studies shows examples of sustainable houses in a variety of climate zones. The need for case studies has lessened with the recent rise of home magazines that contain articles on individual houses and renovations.
Your Home combines the efforts of a large number of committed people over a considerable time. Industry and cross-sectoral support for its development has been part of the project since its inception and crucial to its success. The people include principal and contributing authors, and photographers, many who have given input as members of advisory committees, technical advisers, industry and community representatives, and reviewers of articles.
The residential building industry has openly embraced the idea of ‘green buildings’ and a number of industry programs now promote sustainable approaches to building; however, the need for clear and comprehensive information on design and construction options for householders, builders and design professionals remains undiminished. The authors hope that you find Your Home useful in creating your own sustainable home.
Welcom
e to Your H
ome
v
Welcome to Your Home
Welcome to Your HomeYour Home is your guide to building, buying or renovating a home. It shows how to create a comfortable home with low impact on the environment — economical to run, healthier to live in and adaptable to your changing needs.
Your home is important in so many ways. It’s a place to unwind, relax and spend quality time with family and friends. It’s also likely to be the biggest investment you make. Your decisions about your home have consequences for your future living costs and quality of life. Collectively, such decisions contribute to the bigger picture and can help to create more vibrant, connected and sustainable towns and cities.
In such rapidly changing times, smart investment decisions demand smart thinking about new issues. When you’re planning your renovation or building project it’s easy to focus on the short term, but features that enhance resale value, improve comfort and reduce bills are worth paying for.
Your Home is a comprehensive guide to the design principles and features that add value to your home and reduce its environmental impact. Many of them come at no additional cost. They just require the right ‘know how’ at the right stage of your renovation or building project. Others may add cost but also add lasting value and help to ‘future-proof’ your home against rising energy and water costs.
Your Home is a comprehensive guide to the design principles and features that add value to your home and reduce its environmental impact.
Each section in Your Home covers a particular sustainability theme, such as passive design or energy. A sustainable home needs to address all of these themes in tandem. The principles and ideas in each section can be applied to any home. The articles in each section contain advice on practical solutions you can adapt to your budget, climate and lifestyle. As sustainable housing technologies and approaches are evolving all the time, Your Home is periodically updated to keep the information current. Photo: G. Smith
vi
Welcome to Your Home
Who is Your Home for?Your Home was written to make the process of creating sustainable homes and renovations easier for a range of different groups. Its content and design were informed by research with homeowners, architects, designers and builders to find out what information they needed most and how they wanted it presented. The starting point for creating Your Home was to ask them what they most needed to know to make the process of creating a sustainable home easier.
For homeowners, Your Home helps explain the process of renovating and building sustainably. Whether you want a general overview or detail on a specific topic, Your Home is designed to help you create a sustainable home in the most cost effective way.
For architects and designers, Your Home’s comprehensive overview of sustainable design principles and strategies includes detailed information on a range of different topics. Use it as a refresher and a design support tool; give it to clients to familiarise them with the options available.
For builders, especially the many who play a role in design as well as construction, Your Home has relevant design advice. It is also full of useful detail on procurement of materials and products, waste management, and installation of various sustainability products and technologies. Give it to clients to familiarise them with the options available.
Photo: G. Smith Photo: G. Smith
vii
Welcome to Your Home
Why sustainable design?Over long periods of time, by trial and error, vernacular building solutions (buildings based on local conditions) evolved, and they all contain elements of sustainable design. We build today for more or less the reason we have always built — to make safe, healthy shelters that protect us from the elements and keep us comfortable. However, cheap accessible fossil energy sources and the proliferation of technology and new materials have encouraged us to solve building problems differently in recent times. Unfortunately, some of these methods may be compromising the ability of our planet to sustain us in the long or even medium term. The new challenge is to use our technology to minimise environmental impact, while continuing to improve the comfort and performance of the homes we create.
Most Australians live in homes that work against the climate, not with it.
A great majority of Australians currently live in homes that work against the climate, not with it. These homes are too cold or too hot, waste energy and are comparatively expensive to run. Most homes use far more water than necessary, and can be made of materials that damage our health and the environment. Using good design principles can save energy, water and money, while creating a more enjoyable and comfortable home.
How is housing changing?Housing of the future will need to be adaptable and resilient, helping us to respond to both predicted and unexpected change. It will also need to suit significantly changed demographic patterns and lifestyles, and have minimal environmental impact. Many of the homes we build today will still be in use in 50 years’ time, when climate change, population growth and resource depletion will have created a very different picture.
The move towards ‘positive’ development that has a net positive ecological and social impact might seem like an ambitious goal today. However, progressive parts of the housing industry are working towards this goal and it must be the norm in any scenario for a sustainable future.
Author Caitlin McGee, 2013
Photo: G. SmithPhoto: G. Smith
Contents
ix
Contents
ContentsQuick reference
Welcome to Your Home iv
How to use Your Home xii
Before you begin 4
Passive design 86
Materials 200
Energy 308
Water 404
Housing of the future 438
Case studies 470
Appendices 504
Abbreviations 538
Glossary and tools 542
Index 556
v
1
5
87
201
309
405
439
471
505
539
543
557
x
List of articles
Before you beginBefore you begin 5
Preliminary research 8
The design process 15
The construction process 22
Buying a home off the plan 27
Buying and renovating an apartment 37
Buying an existing home 47
Planning home improvements 51
Repairs and maintenance 59
Renovations and additions 63
Choosing a site 73
Challenging sites 80
Passive designPassive design 87
Design for climate 90
Orientation 104
Shading 116
Passive solar heating 125
Passive cooling 135
Sealing your home 149
Insulation 160
Insulation installation 169
Thermal mass 178
Glazing 188
Skylights 196
MaterialsMaterials 201
Embodied energy 205
Waste minimisation 210
Construction systems 216
Lightweight framing 226
Brickwork and blockwork 237
Cladding systems 245
Concrete slab floors 254
Insulating concrete forms 261
Autoclaved aerated concrete 265
Precast concrete 270
Mud brick 279
Rammed earth 284
Straw bale 289
Green roofs and walls 299
EnergyEnergy 309
Heating and cooling 312
Hot water service 324
Lighting 337
Appliances 347
Home entertainment and office equipment 355
Home automation 363
Renewable energy 369
Photovoltaic systems 375
Wind systems 381
Batteries and inverters 388
Smart meters, displays and appliances 393
Transport 399
Contents
xi
WaterWater 405
Reducing water demand 408
Rainwater 412
Wastewater reuse 419
Stormwater 425
Outdoor water use 429
Waterless toilets 434
Housing of the futureHousing of the future 439
Adapting to climate change 442
Carbon zero, carbon positive 448
The livable and adaptable house 455
Affordability 461
Case studiesCurtin, Australian Capital Territory 471
Sydney North Shore, New South Wales 475
Darwin River, Northern Territory 480
Caloundra, Queensland 485
Parkside, South Australia 490
Fitzroy North, Victoria 494
Perth, Western Australia 499
AppendicesThe healthy home 505
Safety and security 512
Streetscape 516
Landscaping and garden design 520
Sediment control 526
Noise control 530
Contents
How
to use Your H
ome
1
How to use Your Home
How to use Your Home
Finding the information you need in Your HomeEvery journey to a sustainable home is unique and Your Home has been designed to help you find the right information at the time you need it most.
Every Your Home section needs to be taken into account to create a truly sustainable home. Some articles will be more relevant to your project than others. Each article links to complementary Your Home articles and to useful external sources of information.
Case studies from around Australia demonstrate practical examples of how the concepts in Your Home can be applied.
Search Your Home for information in two ways:
1. By theme or topic. Use the table of contents, arranged by sections, to find a particular theme or topic; or use the index, arranged alphabetically, to search by keyword.
2. By the stage you have reached in the process of choosing, renovating or building. Different information is ‘top of mind’ during different parts of the process of choosing, renovating and building a home. The following section highlights the most important ‘must read’ articles for each stage in the process plus the articles that would be useful background reading at that point.
Regardless of the information-finding path you choose, Your Home guides you to a comfortable, affordable home that is cheaper to run, kinder to the environment and ‘future-proofed’ as an investment.
The process of renovating or building a homeThe process of choosing, renovating or building a home can be daunting, particularly if you haven’t been through it before. Having the right information and making the right decisions early on in the process is critical for achieving a home that meets your sustainability goals in the most cost effective way. Every process is unique, but most renovation and building projects typically fall into these general stages, though not every point may be relevant. Remember, it’s not an entirely linear process — keep revisiting and refining ideas in more detail as you go along.
Stage 1: Getting startedAt the start decide what you want from your new home or renovation, and plan a course of action to achieve it. Now is a good time to gather information from sustainable housing magazines and internet searches, talk to friends who’ve built or renovated, visit home ideas centres and seek professional advice. Consider: ▪ where you want to live and why ▪ future trends in housing, and why you might want to
build a sustainable home ▪ what’s involved in the process of designing and
building ▪ whether you’ll build a new home, renovate or buy off
the plan ▪ likely sources of professional advice ▪ what you can learn from analysing your current
home and lifestyle ▪ goals and sustainability targets for your new home or
renovation ▪ a prioritised checklist that includes your needs and
‘wish list’ ▪ your baseline budget ▪ building regulations, including sustainability
requirements.
2
How to use Your Home
Stage 2: Concept designGood design doesn’t cost the earth — poor design does. Careful planning and expert advice at this stage pays a huge dividend.
This is a stage of great opportunity, the time to lock in the outcomes you really want in the most cost effective way. At concept design stage the floor plan and building form is determined, and often the construction system. It’s the time to create a design that suits your site and works with your climate, not against it, and ensures your home is comfortable without the need for expensive heating or cooling. It’s time to: ▪ engage a designer with a track record in sustainable
housing ▪ seek other professional advice as required (e.g.
thermal performance expert) ▪ create a detailed design brief, based on your checklist
from Stage 1: Getting started ▪ design the floor plan and overall building form ▪ ensure your design makes the most of your local
climate and site ▪ choose construction systems and materials ▪ select energy and water saving features, locate
rainwater tanks ▪ ensure the design allows suitable roof space for solar
hot water and solar electricity panels.
Stage 3: Detailed designDuring this stage your design is developed to the level of detail necessary to gain building approval and be construction-ready. You’ll further develop the building envelope and interiors, and specify all materials and products in detail. It’s time to prepare: ▪ detailed building envelope design (the ‘shell’ — walls,
floor and roof) ▪ interior design (also called ‘fitout’ design) ▪ detailed specification of all products, materials and
systems
▪ documentation for approval by local authorities ▪ documentation for the construction tendering
process.
Stage 4: ConstructionAt this stage you’ll engage a builder and/or tradespeople to construct the home or renovation. The steps at this stage include: ▪ tender assessment and appointment of a builder ▪ construction supervision (usually the designer or
builder manages the process) ▪ siteworks and drainage ▪ construction of the building shell (or extensions/
refurbishments to it) ▪ ‘rough in’ of electrical cables and plumbing ▪ fitout, including installation of appliances, joinery and
finishes ▪ certification of the final works by the local authority ▪ landscaping (if part of the contract) ▪ handover to owner.
Stage 5: Living in your new homeHaving a sustainable home doesn’t stop at construction. A home’s environmental impact is significantly influenced by the behaviour of the occupants. Find out more in the section Energy where the articles have many helpful hints, and visit www.livinggreener.gov.au.
AuthorCaitlin McGee, 2013
• Detailed design
Check that your design: ▪ meets your brief, including any sustainability
goals and targets ▪ meets all applicable regulations ▪ suits your climate and your site ▪ creates comfortable and healthy interiors ▪ has a minimal environmental footprint —
consider all the Your Home sections.
• Construction
When engaging a builder, ensure that: ▪ they know sustainability is a priority and are
committed to delivering it ▪ they have past experience with sustainable
housing ▪ your tender documents, including drawings
and specifications, clearly specify all sustainability requirements
▪ your contract requires approval by you or your designer for any changes or product substitutions.
• Detailed design
Check that your design: ▪ meets your brief, including any sustainability
goals and targets ▪ meets all applicable regulations ▪ suits your climate and your site ▪ creates comfortable and healthy interiors ▪ has a minimal environmental footprint —
consider all the Your Home sections.
Australian climate zones
Australian climate zones The eight climate zones used in Your Home are defined by the Building Code of Australia (BCA). Each climate zone has distinctly different design and construction requirements. Within each main zone are many regional sub-zones determined by local geographic features including wind patterns and height above sea level. The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme identifies 69 of these sub-zones, which the BCA addresses and which can be called up by postcode.
Source: Australian Building Codes Board
Zone Description
1 Hot humid summer, warm winter
2 Warm humid summer, mild winter
3 Hot dry summer, warm winter
4 Hot dry summer, cool winter
5 Warm temperate
6 Mild temperate
7 Cool temperate
8 Alpine
Latitude 20º South
Wyndham
Tennant Creek
Katherine
Broome
Newman
Yalgoo
Exmouth
Carnarvon
Geraldton
PERTH
Bunbury
Ceduna
Esperance
Albany
EuclaWhyalla
Albury-Wodonga
Ballarat
Bourke
Broken Hill
WollongongSYDNEY
Newcastle
CoffsHarbour
BRISBANE
CharlevilleMaryborough
Rockhampton
Mackay
Longreach
Townsville
Cairns
Cooktown
Weipa
Tamworth
Coober Pedy
ADELAIDE
CANBERRA
MELBOURNE
Launceston
HOBART
Mildura
Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Warburton
Alice Springs
Mount Isa
DARWIN
Written by architects, designers and builders for Australian practitioners and you, this manual is a powerful tool for making your home great to live in, affordable to build and efficient to run.
www.yourhome.gov.au
Australia’s guide to environmentally sustainable homes
Australia’s guide to environmentally sustainable hom
es
5th Edition
5th Edition
Discover how to adapt your home to changes in your lifestyle.
Be inspired! Your Home showcases some of the best sustainable homes in Australia.
Discover the secrets of making your home healthy, safe and sustainable.
Find out how to make your home work with Australian conditions.
Understand how you can make use of orientation, ventilation, insulation and thermal mass.
Explore ways to fit your home into its neighbourhood and community.
Find out how your home can avoid the problems of water shortages and increasing energy costs.
Learn how your home can meet the challenge of climate change.
Check out how green walls, bricks and straw can all be part of your home.
Learn to landscape your home for biodiversity and sustainability.
9 781925 006148 >
ISBN 978-1-925006-14-8