Owner Builders and Sustainability

June 20th, 2019

20/6/2019

Owner Builders and Sustainability

Following on from my recent post about Owner Builders and the importance of considering solar power, I thought I would throw a few more ideas to consider in respect to sustainability.
Owner Builders need to consider two specific areas of sustainability and conservation, one when they are building their project, and in the design phase.

Design considerations will including how you position your dwelling on the block to capture breezes or to make the most of other site characteristics to minimise your energy footprint.

Double glazed windows are great for reducing energy loss in the house and owner builders will also benefit from the acoustic benefits they bring. I am living in an apartment Monday to Friday on a busy Melbourne suburb with traffic and trams at the front door.

There is a rooftop bar across the road, and without the double glazing, the unit would be impossible to live in.
Consider the size of your eaves, in Queensland of course the wider the better to shade the house and minimise the impact of the harsh Northern sun, certainly not as necessary in Victoria.

The installation of water tanks is of course a huge benefit to the owner builder in terms of the money they can save on water rates with them rising year on year. Also, it is extremely important to the environment, and water will likely become a, more and more scarce commodity in the coming years.

It is interesting that councils have done a 360 degree loop on water tanks in residential suburbs and go from banning to mandating through the inevitable cycle.

During the construction phase you can look at water saving initiatives and encourage all your contractors to minimise waste. Use recyclable products, refuse single use plastics on site, do simple things like encourage keep cups and discourage bottled waters.

Owner builders need to be considerate of their local environment and other residents that may be affected by the works that are being undertaken.

They are all little things but they all add up and they all make sense.

I am not a greenie by any stretch of the imagination, but everything I have mentioned in this post can be done quite easily and I do believe that every little bit will help.

Happy Owner Building,

Rick

104 Comments

Mark Campbell

20/7/2019 19:01:34

Interesting read, thank you

Adrian Moodley

13/1/2020 12:49:23

Some really good suggestions in here and very fitting for the period we are all experiencing in Australia.

Kathy Denniss

1/2/2020 12:41:35

Hi Adrian
I agree given our recent experiences with bushfires and drought water is a precious resource we take for granted

Lili Liu

8/7/2020 21:28:46

Thanks for your article. It helps a lot.

Michael Clifton

26/11/2020 06:20:30

Some great ideas Rick. We are in the process of choosing water tanks. Any recommendations on materials are appreciated, poly, steel etc.

Kurt kautz

8/6/2021 08:50:39

We have no council facilities where we are about to start building. So have been researching waste sytem plants & water tanks. We were hoping to use the gravity feed to avoid pumps & power but have been unable to use that option due to our soil test result. We live in a fire zone & were impacted greatly during the last fire season.

Bill Young

3/2/2021 09:02:51

I would not live in Victoria for a start. The unit as I read the article the unit put together very cheaply to maximise profit from who ever buys it. Sounds like another Opal Tower duster waiting to happen

mike

10/8/2021 22:00:07

very interesting reading

Steven King

28/8/2021 07:57:33

Double glazing is the norm in Europe but in Australia it seems to be considered a boutique option with commensurate costs. I am in a cold climate area and past experience has shown that aluminium frames for double glazing is yet another cheapo Aussie product, the problem being that the frames lose heat so badly that condensation runs off them. The solution is frames with a thermal break but where do I source windows with that feature. All contributions are welcome.

Indi

26/10/2021 10:43:59

Hi, there used to be a company called Schuster Windows that made europian style windows and doors

Crosby Cook

15/12/2021 05:56:45

Dear Steven,
Yes, you are right about the costs of double glazing. I would like to install triple glazing except that it costs too much. I live in the Central West of NSW where it gets both hot and cold, so double glazing is worthwhile. I put in a couple of aluminium, double glazed windows then discovered to my dismay that the amount of condensation on the frames is considerable. I discounted vinyl frames at the time because of their appearance, but for my next project I will use them. A friend sourced a supplier in Sydney whom you might like to contact. They supply uPVC double glazed windows and doors: Prestige Plus 1300 679 465
info@prestigeplus.sydney
Regards, Crosby

Mitchell Cameron

8/9/2021 11:55:30

This is an interesting read, thank you! We will be installing water tanks and solar power on our build.

Tristan

5/11/2021 03:48:58

Very interesting read, I agree there are many ways to go green. Energy efficient solutions will reduce the carbon footprint of our projects.

Vivan

21/9/2019 16:14:40

Interesting read. Thanks. Could you please also elaborate more on Solar systems and battery storage.

Gilbert

25/9/2019 12:42:47

Hi Rick, interesting topic. Our site will require us to be off grid as no services reach us. I like to get your view on hot water. Typically in the area LGP gas is used for both cooking as well as hot water. Would you recommend to go solar - maybe with gas boost?
In winter we have upto -8degrees and I wonder if these rooftop systems are reliable under such conditions?

LorraineReynolds link

4/3/2020 15:07:23

Hi Gilbert
I am currently living in this situation and found our solar hot water system a good investment financially and environmentally even though we do have to supplement supply during winter months due to limited sunshine hours.

Andrew Smith

25/8/2020 21:15:20

Hi All
We had a solar hot water system on our previous house, it lasted nearly 20 years and was trouble free and saved us a lot including the extra initial cost, it was a "Solarhart" system.
Defiantly put one on our new house.

Lynette McVicar

7/3/2021 08:30:13

Hi Gilbert,

Great to hear solar s working for you. I will add it to my BASIX statement. Hopefully we will have more sunshine in winter.

Neil Smart

29/9/2019 13:56:36

our solar system gave us good returns, paid for itself and some, within a few years, but after about 5 years before we noticed a reduction in the returns due to cracks in the solar panels, they are now useless, the joys of getting panels from the lowest bidder.

Kristen Garratt

4/12/2019 11:37:02

Hi Neil,

Interesting comment there. I've also wanted to put solar on my current house, but hearing stories on panel longevity is making me unable to commit. Many panels are made in low quality Chinese factories, and are sold by both low and high price companies.

How would you be able to tell the panel quality difference between a cheap and mid/high priced installer? Another issue is that many installers offer a long warranty / lifetime warranty, but this waranty is useless if the business is no longer operating after a few years.

I guess we need to weigh up both price for panels, but also the company size, reputation and previous installs to make the best judgement on who to go with.... i'm still not there yet in my decision making, but know i'll need to one day!

Luke Murphy

20/8/2020 17:37:53

We have had auxiliary solar for 12 years and while there is nothing wrong with our system as the market trend increases in size energy providers re-nig on their offer per kw/h.
Try to future proof with more kw is my only suggestion. :)

Christian

7/5/2021 12:06:44

I would suggest that you make sure you buy from a reputable company that has been around for a while and I do not think you would have a problem with warranty as most panels are offering up to 15 year warranty, even the cheaper ones.
We do not use a lot of electricity and installed a cheap 6.6Kw system, we are in credit during the summer and then use some of the credit up in winter. On a contract with AGL for 2 years getting 21c for feed in to the grid per KW. It has paid for itself within 2 years.

16/10/2019 12:02:41

We plan to have double glazing in our windows and doors. Does anyone know about the pros and cons to get glass which has a reflective shading applied to the outside. Will this increase the performance of the windows?
cheers

Hamza ALameddine

7/7/2020 17:13:36

I am in the same position, I would assume so, but would like to know if anyone out there has an answer.

Greg

30/10/2019 16:37:22

Thanks for the info

Navaratnam Raguram

30/10/2019 22:13:42

Very good read

mark hyde

14/11/2019 10:46:00

Rick. I do not believe that sufficient thought has been put into the installation of water tanks into private homes. The running and maintaining cost of the pump and diverter equipment out weighs the saving in water cost, especially with the cost of todays power. Water quality is also a problem as many councils require W.C.s and laundries to be connected to this tank water, which is usually heavily contaminated , staining both the toilet bowl and white clothing, requiring the use of harsh chemicals. I believe the better option is a simple free standing tank only supplied from the roof, with one hose tap to fill a simple watering can by gravity, for use in the garden or washing cars. There by making 100% cost saving on water from the tank.

4/12/2019 11:30:35

Hi Mark,

I live in a newer house, that has this type of rain water tank connected. All roof rainwater is collected through charged downpipes to the rainwater tank, and is connected to one tap in the back of the house. This tap is pressurised, and is encouraged for use for the garden, washing cars etc. The tank itself is fairly closed, and never had an issue with water quality from this system.
I think you'll find this style of rainwater collection is becoming the norm, especially in newer development areas.

Quentin Mitchell

25/6/2021 09:24:28

I agree Mark and Kristen, I want to catch rain water and store in tanks under my deck for garden use, washing the car, outside use.
I will put an electric pressure pump on it, with solar power installed won't cost me much. May reduce some of my water bills, the sewer connection fee is the expensive part for me here in Albury.

4/12/2019 11:33:26

nice read Rick.

One other consideration to the environmental issues raised in your post, is the economic factors associated with these improvements. Like you, i'm not a hard and fast greenie, but as the society moves towards sustainability and environmental considerations, some of the projects actually do provide some form of return of investment. For example, double glazed windows reduce noise, but they also minimise heat loss which in turn saves aircon running time and ultimately electricity use and $$$$ saved.

Shanyang Zhao

2/1/2020 22:08:48

Good read.

Jamie Honan

22/1/2020 10:49:41

The use of concrete is a major contributor to greenhouse emissions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_concrete

In addition, on surfaces, it contributes to faster water runoff which is a major contributor to water problems (flooding, hydro carbon pollution, micro plastics)

Brenton Pugh

30/1/2020 03:22:29

Thanks for that article it is a good read

1/2/2020 12:45:55

Thanks Rick this has some interesting points to consider especially the use of double glazing

Carlo Itskos

7/2/2020 20:24:27

Hi Rick,
Thanks for the interesting read. Very true what you say as waste is becoming a huge problem today with landfill overpowering our space. Hopefully we can all work together to minimise this.

Thomas Lavers

8/3/2020 10:16:23

Great read Rick, you have provided some useful information to consider for my new build. As per our basix requirements we are already including water tanks, however will look further into solar options so I can make my build more sustainable.
Thanks again, Tom

Nenad Kalebic

19/3/2020 14:56:35

Hi Rick,
Thanks for that article & advice, it is a good read.

daniel mcivor

30/3/2020 10:16:43

As a definite greenie, this is something that has been of consideration at all stages of my project design.
One thing we are doing is using the surrounding landscape to our advantage. Sandstone that is being excavated from our site is being repurposed into a wall around our combustion stove to hold warmth in the house better. Also using trees with good cover in areas where we need shade etc.

I like the consideration of single use plastics on site. Providing subcontractors with a little kitchenette to encourage less wastage is a good idea.

Paul

7/4/2020 09:59:16

Hi there everyone
I have just started my Owner Builders Course and found the chat very valuable.
Thank you
Paul

8/4/2020 19:16:14

Thank you for a good read

Andrew Nez link

10/4/2020 10:09:16

Hi Rick,

I have been reading up a bit about the use of "green -Geopolymer Concrete" lately. It seems it could be an actual viable alternative to the wholesale use of concrete in the construction industry, both Commercial & Residential. However, Cost variances, Availability & Longevity are just some issues to consider . Like anything new, teething problems will exist, but just need to be worked through as they arrive. (Water tanks, solar panels etc are perfect examples)
Do you have any experience with the product & if so any thoughts..?

Andrew.

joe

28/4/2020 20:20:17

I believe the future should be houses that are as self sufficent as possible, this for me would be collect and filter your own drinking water. Solar power for your electricity and battery pack. you can even treat your own sewer and use the treated sewer to fertiliser your garden.

Johnny Wright

2/6/2020 21:22:36

Come to my world Joe. We Will have a 120 000L water tank, a septic and at least 6 kw solar.Cant wait for all this to happen!

Colin Hill

19/5/2020 08:43:17

I agree with the idea that one size does not fit all. The key is for your design to maximise what your house and property has to offer and to design out any negative influences such as the noise issue mentioned above. Personally, my new home will have an extremely high ratio of outdoor living area compared to inside as I am on private acreage and this is where we intend to spend a lot of our time.

Justin Larymore

20/5/2020 16:20:47

I like the idea of no single use plastic and will happily provide a jug of water for any trades on site.
We would love a water tank on site, but will have to wait and see re affordability.

Adam Marwood Cole

14/6/2020 13:32:31

Good read but also remember the double glazed windows are not only good for noise reduction but for retaining heat in buildings that are in the cooler climates.
Adam

Enda

2/7/2020 21:52:09

Agree, double-glazed windows are a great choice when it comes to for sustainability. They definitely provide excellent improvements for temperature and noise control.

Michael Bailey

6/7/2020 20:47:35

Great information for anyone starting a build.

Kieran link

27/7/2020 21:38:48

Great article may do more research on this

Margareta Carter

29/7/2020 20:10:49

Since installing solar panels we've found our daily habits have changed. Whatever can be done during the daylight hours is done to take advantage of free power.

25/8/2020 21:09:46

Hi Everyone
Just completed the course and happy with the end result.
About to start building our own home and woulkd like to know if anyone has had any experience with heated floors, we were thinking of electrically heated rahter tha liquid heated as our architect has heard that the liquid ones can crack the concrete due to the relatively rapid fluctuations in temperature.
Anyone got any ideas?

Shelly

22/9/2020 11:52:35

Hi Andrew, I would also be interested in any feedback on heating in concrete slabs. I have heard hydronic is preferred?

brett adams

27/9/2020 17:55:19

Thanks Rick

Julie-anne Paynter

6/10/2020 09:50:02

Thanks Rick
these are all things we are trying to do in the reno's at my house

we have installed double glazed window and now on process on putting deck with flyover roof with the insulation in the roof panel

Cheers
Julie-anne

Amanda Lewis

12/10/2020 18:31:35

Hi Rick and everyone,

I am part way through the course right now and am completing it because we own a home that our daughter lives in.

We are planning g on extending to give her and her two children some extra space.

I must admit I was not looking forward it as this is not my field but the learning materials are making it more interesting, which I find weird as this is definitely not my field of work normally.

Thanks for the work you put into the courses for us :)
Amanda

Sung Kim

26/10/2020 00:29:53

Thank you for the information.

Kate Treay

26/10/2020 11:06:53

I am planning to use all of these sustainable practices in my off grid house. A little more cash upfront for little to no bills down the track. Why wouldn't you if its your forever home.

Luke Martin

8/3/2021 13:05:31

I agree Kate. We are doing the same.

Josh Duffield

8/12/2020 12:20:30

Thanks for the information and all the work you put into the courses

Bernie Brown

6/1/2021 14:13:41

Great tips! We will be installing a Bradford solar unit, however, still reluctant to purchase batteries at this stage although the tech is getting better and they are becoming more cost effective from a ROI perspective. We will leave provision during the solar install for batteries to be a "plug and play" option down the track.

Paul Eric Coveny

19/1/2021 11:12:39

Hi All,
Just about to start a renovation and have had the engineers drawings released. Have supplied to Frame And Truss designer who has found a significant number of errors and things that have been missed. Where would the liability sit in the event that this was not picked up by the frame & Truss manufacturer?

Trent

27/1/2021 17:57:50

Thank you very interesting reading on all fronts of some building ideas

Peter Messinesi

2/2/2021 20:11:22

Thanks Rick, this has some interesting points to consider. I will definitely consider the size of your eaves.

Stephen Butler

7/2/2021 11:29:33

Hi Peter
Your architect's software should be able to show you the angles of the sun penetration in all seasons according to eaves depth. I am in north west NSW where this is an important consideration. We need winter sun and no summer sun. This can be achieved with careful planning.

Maurice Dover

11/2/2021 12:47:13

Hi Rick, I read the article on sustainability just at the right time so I could reconsider the placement of the water tanks.

Thanks heaps for writing these snippets and insights.

Gerard W-Bisshop

16/2/2021 15:31:54

If only more people did a little reading/research before building, we would be building more liveable homes that saved money and energy and greenhouse emissions - if only!

jiehan zhu

22/2/2021 14:34:46

There are some really good suggestions and I think it is very fitting for the period we are all experiencing in our work

Zhu Jiehan

23/2/2021 09:21:19

As the owner builder, do I need to find the building inspector to do a report on asbestos before I know down the house?
Do I provide the SWMS or the contractor provides it

Clare Gleeson

2/3/2021 20:49:57

Zhu,

I would say it is often best to complete this yourself and issue to the demolition contractor so that you get accurate pricing and also to ensure the successful contractor is informed of these materials and undertakes the demolition in strict accordance with WHS requirements for removal.

7/3/2021 08:33:25

Very good article, I am wondering if induction solar hot water panels would be good to use when I am building 30metres from the beach?

Christine

7/3/2021 08:52:07

This was a great read.
I am in the process of planning the construction of our new home and am very keen on water tanks.
I am all for tanks connected to roof pipes but not sure how effective this would be in times of drought. I would love for there to be a way of collecting the water from the "rinse cycle" from our washing machine. During the harsh months of fires during our devastating Black Summer in 2019-2020, we collected buckets of water from our showers and used them to flush our toilets. I connected pipes to the washing machine and directed the "rinse cycle" water to our garden, and though I do not have a dish washer I will only assume that the "rinse cycle" water could be used effectively to flush our toilets.
Not sure how this could be setup but keen to hear any ideas.

Mike James

17/3/2021 12:23:18

Interesting article. Totally agree that Homeowners need to consider the environment and the examples provided were spot on.
There's been a lot of advances in glass technology in the market and we are also putting in water tanks in our build.

Connie Leahy

18/3/2021 20:47:06

Quite important these days to consider sustainability when doing renovations or a new build.

Wayne Schur

10/4/2021 21:40:24

Article definitely makes you think about how an owner builder can contribute to reducing our environmental impact with simple considerations when planning and building.

Jason Roberts

22/4/2021 11:04:52

Thanks Rick, an informative article. We as homeowners and caretakes of the environment should always consider the most environmentally friendly, sustainable and least impactful way to build. These decisions not only have an impact on the way we live within the dwelling of our choosing but also how that impacts on the local neighbourhood and the wider natural spaces in which we share with flora and fauna. We have to be responsible as owner builders, and the product and technology is out there for all of us to be able to make good material and design choices whether it is required or not.

walter mcloughlin

29/4/2021 08:51:35

Hi, I totally agree with larger eaves, the last house I built I installed 900mm eave, in summer with shading from the eave kept the house a lot cooler. I can't believe all the house in new suburbs have no eaves at all. Makes you wonder how they achieve BASX requirements hear in NSW. I do release it's all to do with building budgets and costs etc. Also I'm lucky enough to live on a large block, so this was achievable.

Youssef Doueihi

12/5/2021 15:38:06

Owner Builders and Sustainability great read thanks for that Rick it really gets you thinking, Looks like we are looking at solar panels now.

Scott Walker

3/6/2021 13:34:50

Ricks Owner Builder Course has been very informative and has provided good info to take on first domestic project.

Joab Rushton

4/6/2021 21:00:58

The owner builder course content that has been provided by Rick is very thorough and informative, and puts you in the right perspective to tackle the project of building your own home.

Kristy Davison

8/6/2021 10:58:02

Thanks for an informative read. I will be looking at som of these features before I build.
Love reading these blogs.

Barry Robinson

21/6/2021 10:50:20

I have to have a 5000l water tank and solar panels to be able to pass the latest BASIX here in Dubbo NSW. Years ago we were not permitted to use water tanks.

Pete Snowdon

28/6/2021 13:27:11

Great read and some things to think about with my upcoming build. Thanks

Peter Curtis

29/6/2021 21:01:29

Pricing tanks awhile back I have found that the larger liner tanks such as pioneer are the cheapest storage per litre.

Damien Stevens

30/6/2021 07:35:49

I truly believe that smart choices can help reduce the impact on our great planet as well as provide piece of mind to ones self, satisfaction and comfort in our home as well as being cost effective and energy saving.
In 2007, I embarked on a self build project. I had acreage that was surrounded by bushland, 10 acres in total (4 of which was clear to set the house, services and landscaping on). My brief was, I wanted a house that sat nicely in the surrounds and to be somewhat sustainable as well as having little impact on the environment as possible. I was also in a bushfire zone.
After plenty of research and attending a couple of workshops (with a company who does this kind of build), I settled for a straw bale home. Straw for me, ticked many boxes. Straw is essentially a waste product that contains superb insulating qualities (both thermal and noise). The clay for the earthen render came from my property which was generated when excavating for the slab. Once this kind of building is rendered, it becomes ten times more fire resistant than a brick veneer home. Tick. The majority of the materials that I used in this build were re use or recycled. Obviously new materials were also used where necessary. With thick, naturally well insulated walls and double glazed windows, the dwelling was exceptionally energy efficient.

8/7/2021 10:52:46

The rules for sustainability seem to be always changing. A few years ago you couldn't put in rain water tanks in Dubbo, now they are a must to meet the BASIX.

Andrew Cashmore

20/7/2021 16:24:20

Hi Rick

Very interesting read along with the comments from other owner builders. Being a carpenter i'm always looking at different designs and products to use but as most are aware cost comes down to the reason most people stick with the tried and true and don't look or haven't been informed of other products out there.

Brendan Lee

23/7/2021 12:52:53

Hi Rick, thanks for providing this training platform to enable me to complete my NSW Owner Builder Course. I am enjoying the challenges that the course is presenting so far and haven't had to use maths like this for years. I am completing the course to allow me to put a swimming pool in my back yard. Hopefully I can get the project completed by Christmas. Kind Regards.

Wout Feitz

18/8/2021 19:51:30

Thanks for the read Rick, some good tips.

Leo Scalone

22/8/2021 11:47:19

Hi Rick
Thank you, great reading on various building topics, I live in a federation area and need to comply with the Local Council Plan and all their restrictions making it hard at times to achieve the results you want.

Sherryn Meeth

24/8/2021 10:56:41

I have found this course to be an interesting experience so far.

James Ulrick

8/9/2021 13:55:47

Good read, thanks

8/9/2021 14:40:14

Interesting read, good fall back material.

barry newell

28/9/2021 06:55:01

rick
Its great to have such a good reference point with relevant information
many thanks
barry

Ian Dawson link

10/10/2021 09:23:08

Just finished out BASIX assessment for our house build so good to know we're on the right track.

David Crossley

11/10/2021 11:24:21

Interesting read...I installed double glazing in my last home and source the double glazed window panels directly from a company call DIY double glazing in Melbourne. http://www.diydoubleglaze.com.au Saved thousands and got a great result. Difficult to quantify exactly but I'd estimate a 5-7% reduction in our heating costs over winter.

11/10/2021 11:38:09

Just wanted to build on this earlier post. We also noticed that we weren't running our aircon during the summer as much. Once again very difficult to quantify the exact impact and cost saving attributable to the double glazing as we also had 3.2KW of solar intsalled a couple of years earlier. During hot days I suspect the solar was producing enough power to drive the AIrCon and we did notice that the amount of power exported to the grid decreased. Our local power supplier only paid 6cent per KW, a watch out for anyone considering installing new solar, so the financial savings were minimal. Either way, the house felt cooler and held it's temperature better over night.

11/10/2021 11:41:49

Hi Rick, Thanks for the article above...I live in a E3 environmental zone which makes everything we want to particularly sensitive in these areas.

Ben Silberberg

24/10/2021 13:39:43

Don't forget to maintain your water tanks. Many houses have water tanks... way fewer have water tanks that are actually delivering the benefits after 5 years.

Drew Annabel

7/11/2021 13:46:03

Hi Rick, Thanks for the information

Terry Peachey

10/11/2021 20:32:21

Thanks for the information. I will try and apply as much as possible to the new renos

Norm Green

22/11/2021 10:57:25

Rick
The place I live at was built in about 1920. It has 3.6m ceiling height. It originally had a tankstand at the back with squat tanks (about 760mm high) so that the tank top was just below gutter level which meant the bottom of the tank was still about 2.4 m above floor height. Thus all the house was fed by gravity with no pumps required.
Norm

Simon Unicomb

30/11/2021 21:48:17

Valuable info. These resources will be handy during the build.

Ron Walkom

15/1/2022 17:07:41

Hi Rick,
Im using this coarse to get permission from the local council to allow me to erect one of those kit farm sheds. Ill probably only use 2 trades,a concretor and shed erector. Im too old to do the assembly myself but I want to keep my eye on how its going.
Thanks,
Ron.

CRAIG EWAN

18/1/2022 15:47:50

Interesting read. Useful tips on saving money long term.

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June 20th, 2019

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