Archicentre

… home owners could be paying $100.00 a week for energy.

The possible tripling of energy costs within the next ten years has placed the heat on current housing design principles of the vast majority of mass produced housing in Australia. These housing designs often have poor orientation and a range of energy guzzling appliances, Archicentre the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects said today.

The energy wise home requires a complex mix of well insulated, high thermal mass, intelligent glazing and ventilation.

Edward Lukac, South Australian Archicentre spokesperson said the statement made by the head of Origin Energy, Chief Executive Grant King last week at a major conference that energy prices could triple in ten years means home owners currently paying $1,700 a year in energy costs will be paying $5,100 annually or over $100.00 a week for energy.

"This will come on top of increasing water prices which are set to double as State Governments move to claw back the costs of costly desalination plants and other water infrastructure."

Mr Lukac said the skyrocketing costs of energy and water are making the initial investment in water saving and energy efficient design such as siting on the land, doubling glazing and water tanks a far more attractive economic proposition for home buyers.

"The escalating costs of energy and water combined with the rapid decline in housing affordability due to taxes, land cost and lack of supply will also be a catalyst for a greater focus on the siting, design, and new materials of homes."

Mr Lukac said the cost saving starts with the design and siting of the home including making provision for natural light in the main living areas and the orientation of the home to gain the maximum benefit for solar heating and provision for water harvesting.

Archicentre undertakes over 20,000 reports each year and its Design Concepts consider climatic conditions, prevailing local conditions, site orientation, the zoning or location of the rooms in the home, materials, construction techniques and the building cost.

People using the design concept service from Archicentre in the first instance sit down with the architect and build the design and its energy components within the home to accommodate their lifestyle needs and ensure they end up with the home they want.

The first step in orientation is maximising the northern aspect, where exposure to the sun is best controlled. Eaves and pergolas can be precisely designed to block the summer sun, and still allow the desirable winter sunshine to penetrate.

North-side deciduous trees that shade the house during summer allow prime access to the sun once they have lost their leaves in winter.

It is important to prioritise rooms based on access to views and solar penetration. An open-plan kitchen and living area, for example, should have top position, while bedrooms or bathrooms require less daylight, as they are largely used for short periods of time, or at night.

By zoning your home, unused areas can be closed off, and cooling and heating appliances can be designed for maximum efficiency and minimum use.

The energy wise home requires a complex mix of well insulated, high thermal mass, intelligent glazing and ventilation, all arranged in a way that enhances comfort, anywhere in Australia.

Insulation is paramount to the energy-wise home experience. Lining the roof, walls and floor can reduce heat loss in winter, and heat-gain in summer. Consult an architect about the requirements for effective home insulation.

Materials with a high thermal mass, like stone, brick or rammed earth, take a long time to heat up and a long time to cool down. A concrete slab, with its high thermal mass, can reap huge benefits from prolonged exposure to the winter sun, radiating warmth at night, when it's needed most. Walls with a high thermal mass should be shaded to minimize a heat load in summer.

Glass is a very poor insulator. In an energy efficient design think about size, location, glazing type and window coverings. Other important factors include: - locating windows away from the western sun, and in some areas, the eastern sun., - placing tight fitting pelmets over curtains and blinds to trap air and create a layer of insulation to reduce heat loss on winter nights, - reducing heat load and glare with specialized, glass treatments.

Archicentre is running a series of free seminars on buying, building and renovating. Details can be found at www.archicentre.com.au

www.archicentre.com.au

Media Enquiries:
Edward Lukac, South Australian Archicentre spokesperson (08) 8228 0300 Mobile: 0419 817 445
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications Archicentre (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417 329 201