8 star energy-efficient home by Stockland at Denham Court
Stockland has created one of the most sustainable project homes ever built in Australia at its Willowdale residential community at Denham Court in south west Sydney.
It seeks to encourage more environmentally friendly home design and construction.
The two-storey family home has been designed, built and recently certified to the 8 star NatHERS rating, which means the house is designed to achieve close to net zero emissions through its range of energy-saving and ecologically sustainable features.
The Willowdale Community Place is a display home that shows dream homes can save thousands of dollars every year with energy saving inclusions that maximise the warmth of the sun through winter and minimise the impact of the sun’s heat through summer.
It allows customers to choose the energy saving features they would like to include in the construction of their homes.
Andrew Whitson, CEO Residential at Stockland, said the aims was making suburban communities greener.
"Both in a physical sense with more green, open, public spaces, parks, playgrounds, walking trails and cycleways; and showing customers how they can save money over a lifetime through more energy-efficient home design and construction.
“This is not a concept house; all ‘eco’ features, fittings and inclusions are commercially available right now. For example, for a medium-sized home, installing solar panels will cost around $7,000 upfront. On a yearly basis, solar will save that same house between $1,000 and $2000 in energy costs, meaning they will recoup their investment within five to seven years and reaping ongoing cost savings for many years after that.”
NSW Environment Minister Mark Speakman said the NSW Government was committed to making more energy efficient homes the norm.
“Projects like Willowdale set the standard for how communities, industry and government can work together to develop great places to live that are good for the environment,” Mr Speakman said.
Stockland has so far sold more than 1,000 residential lots at Willowdale.
On completion, Willowdale will comprise around 3,300 homes, a neighbourhood shopping centre anchored by a full-line Coles supermarket and specialty stores.
Stockland has also made provision in the masterplan for 25 hectares of parks and playgrounds and the inclusion of a new state primary school.
Key sustainability features of the Willowdale Zero Emissions House:
Sustainable energy-saving features (for a 25 square home) | Approximate cost |
5kW solar energy system | $7000 |
Double glazing upgrade | $6000 extra |
Draught sealing | $2000 |
Insulation upgrade | $2000 to $3000 |
External shading (east and west) | Cost neutral if offset by not buying expensive heavy internal blinds |
Heating and cooling system | Typical standard inclusion, so cost neutral |
Other sustainability features:
- Designed for Silver Livable Housing Australia Compliance and designed to a Silver Level Livable Housing Australia (LHA) rating.
- Automatic Edmonds Odyssey home ventilation system which provides energy efficient ventilation. Odyssey air exchange system reduces air conditioning usage through intelligent air exchange between inside and out.
- Ecomax concrete, which significantly lower embodied energy than standard concrete. Use of recycled materials and by-products.
- Rainwater tank with grey water treatment system to meet the demands of flushing toilets, washing machine and garden maintenance Collection, storage and local reuse of rainwater to serve WCs and outside irrigation. Grey water system captures and reuses domestic waste water (hand basins, laundry and showers) for use in irrigation.
- Solar gas boost hot water system
- Low Volatile Organic Compounds paint which minimizes outgassing
- Tapware specified to the highest water efficiency standards rating available: 6 Star WELS rated tapware with 4 litres per minute of water consumption.
- Vegetable garden, compost bin and worm farm
- Weather seals to external doors and windows to minimize unwanted outside air entering the home
- Energy efficient internal LED lighting
- Low maintenance and water tolerant plants used in landscaping
- R0.5 Waffle pod concrete is poured over insulating pods providing thermal mass to store energy. The insulating pods reduce heat loss to the ground in winter.
- Wall wrap and insulation to internal and external walls, roof and floor.
Customers can register their interest in acquiring a block of land at www.stockland.com.au/willowdale or by visiting the on-site Willowdale Sales and Information Centre.
