If you’re anything like most homeowners who are concerned about rising energy costs and environmental impacts, you will want your new home to be as sustainable and energy efficient as possible.
After all, an energy efficient home offers all-year comfort (with minimal need for heating and cooling) and savings of thousands of dollars on energy bills.
The problem is: How do you know for sure your new Peninsula home will be genuinely energy efficient until after you move in?
While all new homes in Australia are required to achieve a minimum 7-star energy rating, the reality is: Not all 7-star homes are created equal. Without proper regulation, many so-called energy efficient homes fall far short of the claimed standards.
In this article, we’ll delve into the factors that determine true energy efficiency in a home and how to ensure your new home meets your expectations for energy efficiency and comfort.
The Importance of Proper Installation
Achieving energy efficiency in your home goes beyond using the right building materials. It’s about how those materials are installed. Proper installation is critical to ensuring maximum effectiveness and performance. Take insulation for example:
Insulation: Insulation plays a crucial role in regulating the indoor temperature of your home, keeping it comfortable all year round, while reducing heating and cooling costs. Insulation should be installed in your ceiling, walls, under floor and can even be installed under the slab.
However, your insulation must have the correct R value (a measurement of the insulation’s resistance to heat flow). And most importantly, it must be installed correctly. Any gaps will allow heat to flow freely. And any areas where the external cladding is connected to the inside of your home (through a thermal bridge) will also allow heat to transfer.
Wall Wrapping: Your home not only needs to be protected from heat transfer (in and out of your home), it also needs to be protected from moisture. Moisture can lead to serious structural issues including wood rot. It’s also the main cause of mould and mildew.
Wall wrap (or building membrane) acts as a barrier against moisture infiltration and air leakage. Again, installation is key. Your Peninsula builder must ensure your wall wrap is installed with generous overlaps, extends to the very top of the walls, and is securely taped around windows to create a watertight seal before installing your cladding.
Double Glazing: Double glazed windows feature two panes of glass separated by an air or argon-filled gap, significantly reducing heat transfer. This design keeps your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. However, if cheaper windows are not sealed properly, particularly around the edges where meticulous taping is required, gaps can form. These gaps allow heat and air to pass through, undermining the window’s effectiveness.
Optimising Your Peninsula House Design for Energy Efficiency
A well-designed home maximises natural light and ventilation while minimising heat gain and loss. Things like orientation, window placement, and shading can significantly impact energy efficiency. Design optimisation strategies include:
Natural Light: Strategically placed windows, skylights, and light wells will reduce your reliance on artificial lighting. This can also make your home feel brighter, larger, and give you a greater sense of comfort and well-being.
Ventilation: Cross-ventilation is the ultimate form of passive cooling. Proper ventilation (achieved through clever placement of windows and doors) helps regulate indoor temperatures and improve indoor air quality. It also helps to keep your home dry, fresh, and healthy.
Private Inspection For Extra Assurance
While building surveys are mandatory, they focus on the structural aspects of your home, often overlooking critical aspects of energy efficiency.
For extra assurance that your home really is energy efficient, consider investing in a private, independent inspection. Not only will this inspection cover issues of installation (especially when it comes to insulation, wall wrap, and double glazing), it will ensure all components of your home (including plumbing, finishes like plaster, and even the fall of the shower fall) meet high-quality standards. This thorough assessment ensures peace of mind, comfort, and significant energy savings.
This Practical Guide Will Help You Make the Right Decision
Ensuring true energy efficiency in your new Mornington Peninsula home requires meticulous attention to detail in design and installation. Our team at Buena Vista Homes is committed to delivering stunning homes that are structurally sound, supremely comfortable, and genuinely energy efficient.
That’s why we’ve created this practical guide to building your custom dream home in the Mornington Peninsula.
And when you’re ready, please schedule a free consultation with our owner to learn more about our process and how we can help you build a home that looks better, lasts longer, and saves you money on energy bills.
