Evolution Sustainable Solutions

Tips to Achieve 6 Star

The key to 6 Star is good design, so work closely with your designer or builder, and remember to use a Registered Building Practitioner.

Options to Improve the Buildings Energy-Efficiency are;

Orientation

Orientation of the main living areas towards the north, to allow maximum sunlight when needed for warmth, and to exclude the sun’s heat when it isn’t needed. Carefully selecting your site so your home’s orientation takes advantage of solar energy can help you achieve up to 1 Star of your rating.

Insulation

Insulate the walls, ceilings and suspended timber floors to reduce heat losses in winter and heat gains in summer; insulation is a very cost effective means of improving a building’s performance. Ceiling insulation recommended is R3.5 +, External walls R2.0, internal walls attaching to non-habitable rooms such as Garages, laundry R2.0.

Thermal Mass

Design your home to complement its construction. Houses with concrete slab floors and those with suspended timber floors each perform differently in summer and winter. For example, carpet can provide timber floored homes with extra floor insulation for warmth in winter whereas tiles on a concrete slab will make it easier for the floor to store solar energy collected through good passive design. Thermal Mass to store the heat from the sun when its required, and provide a heat sink when we need to be cooler.

Ventilation

Consider the internal layout of your home to enhance energy efficiency, such as locating windows opposite one another to capture cool fresh breezes and maximise cross ventilation.

Glazing Utilize windows to improve energy efficiency through attention to size and location, and by making use of the large range of high performance energy efficient glazing products on the market. Glazing (windows) used to trap the sun’s warmth inside the house when it’s needed, and otherwise, to shade and protect the house from unwanted heat gain or heat loss (shade western windows in summer).
Sealing The Building Envelope Draught-proofing and seeling of the building's envelope (eg: all external doors and windows)
Shading Shading, Minimise western windows and eastern windows or shade appropriately. Make better use of the sun by shading windows in summer with eaves, external blinds and tailored landscaping.
Energy Efficient Lighting Install energy efficient lighting, the more energy efficient the greater the savings you will achieve.
Other Options Install the best available water-saving showerheads, taps and fittings.

Design Strategies For Melbourne (Mild to Warm Summer, Cool Winter)

Moderate to high thermal mass for summer and winter (earth integrated if possible) - reduce thermal mass if solar gain is limited
Ample shade north facing solar gain all autumn to all spring
Access to cool breezes, ceiling fan ventilation
Protection from strong summer and winter winds
Moderate to high insulation levels
Light-mid colour roofs
Deciduous plantings for summer shade and winter solar gain
Moderate eaves and shading
Covered insulated roof, meshed outdoor living areas
Control infiltration path