tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77359795267354505022024-03-13T19:46:53.620+11:00your abode ....environmentalityarchitecture, design and construction.....green and sustainableDarryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-39138339377424433522010-02-06T17:15:00.009+11:002010-02-07T13:33:45.521+11:00Building the eco friendly way - On the way to completion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_98i1inDK88UR63JR96bF5gcGApN-0GCWIkN0iP6lQljgHzGRD907sAc01y46E1u9fFvAPYniGPxGKjeoQQZRdKl5y4m-7Dn2DdvGhgRqOBMiasWvfsP45xSQ6Lp9nxoDMgp0fQQIcMhA/s1600-h/Dec+035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_98i1inDK88UR63JR96bF5gcGApN-0GCWIkN0iP6lQljgHzGRD907sAc01y46E1u9fFvAPYniGPxGKjeoQQZRdKl5y4m-7Dn2DdvGhgRqOBMiasWvfsP45xSQ6Lp9nxoDMgp0fQQIcMhA/s400/Dec+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435011439024090770" border="0" /></a><br />Above is a near complete progress shot of the front of the house. Painting is complete and the external paving and retaining works are underway. Note the photovoltaic panels just poking above the higher roof.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcnjpdYn8RjH5Kq7ZjxIRbqOsCFouzWuCoi8c5vlAxJ9qSI3n193B07raQ0RwZSgwfUSX1z20XjVxQ5Ytdf6ACPDICo0Weko9bBw37AZB1oSFReFGcLpH6U5WdJXsdibBy3djZ1G9suJb/s1600-h/Nov+end+099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcnjpdYn8RjH5Kq7ZjxIRbqOsCFouzWuCoi8c5vlAxJ9qSI3n193B07raQ0RwZSgwfUSX1z20XjVxQ5Ytdf6ACPDICo0Weko9bBw37AZB1oSFReFGcLpH6U5WdJXsdibBy3djZ1G9suJb/s400/Nov+end+099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435014831010767970" border="0" /></a><br />The house has many sustainable features and the rear wall of the house is the 'engine room' for most of them. In the image above from left to right:<br /><ul><li>To the very left is the 23,000 litre rainwater storage tank. This tank provides all of the potable water needs for the house, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ie</span></span>; drinking, cooking and showering water.</li><li>The vertical white rectangular box is the gas heating unit for the underfloor <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hydronic</span></span> heating system</li><li>Next is the white vertical 'tube' which is the first flush system for the rainwater tank. A first flush system diverts the first flush of each rainfall away from the rainwater storage tank preventing any dust, silt or contaminants from making it into the houses water supply</li><li>The next three matching 'boxes' are the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">greywater</span></span> recycling <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">system</span>. This system takes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">greyw</span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ater</span></span> from showers, basins and the washing machine and cleans and recycles it for re-use within the house for flushing toilets and back to the washing machine. It is also used for watering gardens and lawns</li><li>The next two items are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">part</span> of the solar hot water system. On the ground is the hot water storage tank and on the wall is the gas heating booster which is used when there is insufficient sun to provide the solar heating for the hot water.</li><li>And finally on the ground is the start of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">installation</span> of the pumping system for sending the rainwater through out the house.<br /></li></ul><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmGMbwaVPHoxPPhwx4ll4sYxKUUxcxG2sY8aZF8hpfdmxo1sVvOe0u8drEw5oBx9RXMYEgWqAAh50GPwzhnEo0dghVt86D9BM-axiz1-8frPjG8GSQn3j7J8yfKeBdrH3_Y2uR7r_ts3L/s1600-h/Nov+end+046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmGMbwaVPHoxPPhwx4ll4sYxKUUxcxG2sY8aZF8hpfdmxo1sVvOe0u8drEw5oBx9RXMYEgWqAAh50GPwzhnEo0dghVt86D9BM-axiz1-8frPjG8GSQn3j7J8yfKeBdrH3_Y2uR7r_ts3L/s400/Nov+end+046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435013908714129490" border="0" /></a>The front entry of the house has been designed to act as a two storey breezeway, circulating air throughout the house. At the top of the image you can see the louvre windows that form the main <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">functional</span> component of the breezeway, providing very fine control over airflow and direction. By selecting the right louvres to open it is possible to facilitate <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">direct</span> cross <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">ventilation</span>, diverted cross ventilation to another part of the house, and on still <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">draw</span> by opening all of the louvres, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">stack</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">effect</span> can be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">utilised</span> by allowing hot air to rise and draw through cooler air from below.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWhMFJMrfHFrRdoTKe4_AU0EnFUIrck2kuYCAYOp0AuQxM2nm2m_p2aqI22WlwDD4P7RwYyxjrnNBwv9TcTVFvv2BGfl2ffcQyGuYSIxbvMW5s14aT8e6z4-D7T7REJ3V3RYNxBYbeJZt/s1600-h/Nov+end+092.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWhMFJMrfHFrRdoTKe4_AU0EnFUIrck2kuYCAYOp0AuQxM2nm2m_p2aqI22WlwDD4P7RwYyxjrnNBwv9TcTVFvv2BGfl2ffcQyGuYSIxbvMW5s14aT8e6z4-D7T7REJ3V3RYNxBYbeJZt/s400/Nov+end+092.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435012865815743666" border="0" /></a><br />Carpets can be a significant issue when it comes to green building. Many carpets and underlays have high <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">VOC</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">emissions</span>, are made from non-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">renewables</span></span> and are non-renewable at the end of their life, so it is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">important</span> to select with care. The carpet we will be using is a low <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">VOC</span></span> 100% wool carpet which is laid on a underlay that is made from recycled clothing, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">shredded</span> to from a soft underlay.<br />Towards the back of the image, the recycled timber architraves and skirting boards can be seen.Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-49116513082196954002009-12-07T21:11:00.010+11:002009-12-08T21:49:31.207+11:00Building the eco friendly way - External cladding complete and internal fix out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvAYAsnQehwx8o8kuWHjqWKaDiogW2Cf6ghyphenhyphenXpbxABPaBRNKB-qQHuFcBAB5OnuAZQaw0qMfl4fLueAe4mHYiQKwOAyNuYZs8PX0JsTJpVDIfqU7GfIdygV5nGi6lPS8Tvhl1yZPeYOwb/s1600-h/Nov+end+067.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvAYAsnQehwx8o8kuWHjqWKaDiogW2Cf6ghyphenhyphenXpbxABPaBRNKB-qQHuFcBAB5OnuAZQaw0qMfl4fLueAe4mHYiQKwOAyNuYZs8PX0JsTJpVDIfqU7GfIdygV5nGi6lPS8Tvhl1yZPeYOwb/s400/Nov+end+067.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412436478662939538" border="0" /></a><br />Above is a progress photo of the front/North of the house with all of the external cladding completed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h_ZORt1r-TxI3rp6BDYD_4JJ5VisbV9VgBFn6S-ppG_GFZNHVu-ZSGs905Zw4VK2DGqWvO4jUArar1d3IURwX1AJcMgY8DsIcfTVwPJcdJr6sqmBmqUdfjXyJywbXw1_xU0SCKQiXVzz/s1600-h/Nov+end+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h_ZORt1r-TxI3rp6BDYD_4JJ5VisbV9VgBFn6S-ppG_GFZNHVu-ZSGs905Zw4VK2DGqWvO4jUArar1d3IURwX1AJcMgY8DsIcfTVwPJcdJr6sqmBmqUdfjXyJywbXw1_xU0SCKQiXVzz/s400/Nov+end+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412435633107036354" border="0" /></a>Keeping the summer solar heat gain out of large north facing windows can be a problem. We love providing lots of natural light into houses but are very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">conscious</span> of the heat gain issues large areas of glass create. Even with high performance Low E glass, solar heat gain in summer can be a problem.<br /><br />To manage this, we install retractable external venetian louvre blinds to the windows. When retracted the blinds are hidden in a pelmet box over the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">windows</span> as you can see in the image above.<br /><br />The blinds operate through a range of positions from being totally closed and providing full <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sun shading</span>, to open 90 degrees to allow for increased light but still providing partial shading, right through to totally open as per the image above.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YFcRKBcpT4qa0Ojct1vkIKJeKcN6mr_SiXGava5bhFrK8Dkv7K4fXKSppEKKJD3ym_oxuB2VIGz2c32H8ZC72ncThEDrIIXOGsachdi8vkn1u3yw8va0uzO6l-NTry_g0YWDgbtxQt9v/s1600-h/Nov+end+084.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YFcRKBcpT4qa0Ojct1vkIKJeKcN6mr_SiXGava5bhFrK8Dkv7K4fXKSppEKKJD3ym_oxuB2VIGz2c32H8ZC72ncThEDrIIXOGsachdi8vkn1u3yw8va0uzO6l-NTry_g0YWDgbtxQt9v/s400/Nov+end+084.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412437715929263794" border="0" /></a>The internal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">fixout</span> and joinery is well underway, as you can see from the image above the kitchen has been installed.<br /><br />Achieving an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">eco</span>-friendly kitchen is about choices of materials, products and appliances.<br /><br />For the cupboards we have used sustainably forested and harvested Hoop Pine plywood, and for the island bench breakfast bar we have used solid reclaimed Spotted Gum. Wherever possible we prefer to avoid the use of manufactured board products such as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MDF</span> or particleboard, many of these products are very high in formaldehyde <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">emissions,</span> as well as contributing to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">wood chipping</span> and pulping of native forests.<br /><br />The dishwasher and kitchen mixer tap are 4 star water efficiency rated and the electrical appliances are all 4 star energy rated. In our opinion 4 star energy and water efficiency is the minimum that anyone <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">should</span> settle for. The cost premium for this level of appliance is so minor compared to the water an energy saving over, say a two star rated appliance.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tv7qeihx6R5KC9aNHL5xRiMNJtm-B-8nonQ3EekliHi6vYpQvHMRGhAneq4t8-r9e64QYq2yN2w2jp78ICPPVq7w7dOOfhzUyqYHuNSmT9Zxmr7I9XqOiVJ6don1b0ILFxLBvKMWq3LP/s1600-h/Nov+end+058.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tv7qeihx6R5KC9aNHL5xRiMNJtm-B-8nonQ3EekliHi6vYpQvHMRGhAneq4t8-r9e64QYq2yN2w2jp78ICPPVq7w7dOOfhzUyqYHuNSmT9Zxmr7I9XqOiVJ6don1b0ILFxLBvKMWq3LP/s400/Nov+end+058.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412437156964186834" border="0" /></a>Heat trapped at the top of a room between the head of the door and the ceiling is a major contributor rooms heating up in summer. Even with good cross ventilation, if there is no way for this trapped heat to escape, then it will stay in the room.<br /><br />The way we deal with this is by installing a small bank if timber <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">louvres</span> over each door, which can be opened or closed depending on the requirement to heat or cool a room. In the image above, the louvres can be seen over the two bedroom doors. Once the louvres are open, the trapped heat is free to continue on its <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">breeze path</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">maintain</span> full cross ventilation.<br /><br />The strange thing about this, is that this sort of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">installation</span> is a not a new concept. Victorian houses has <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">openable</span> highlight windows over many of their internal doors. What we don't understand is at what point did such a great idea disappear from standard construction?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2AFgT9MleK-cvhD8I7UHGjEa6pc4oP_Ixg0iJzY1OWy6_q9luAl3p1Z_WXQeblTcKnjhyAJ11HKgBt8ebaWgnxxqBdupMWPaOWj7gc4ha8hVegSbthaK6kkgN3gjccHm3IbNNC30SgDJ/s1600-h/Nov+end+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2AFgT9MleK-cvhD8I7UHGjEa6pc4oP_Ixg0iJzY1OWy6_q9luAl3p1Z_WXQeblTcKnjhyAJ11HKgBt8ebaWgnxxqBdupMWPaOWj7gc4ha8hVegSbthaK6kkgN3gjccHm3IbNNC30SgDJ/s400/Nov+end+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412808584936695874" border="0" /></a>We have commenced internal painting and are using Natural Paint from Murobond. We feel the name says it all. The paint contains milk, egg white, vinegar and linseed oil to name but a few <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">ingredients</span> which are all natural, bio-degradable and from renewable resources. NO petrochemicals or heavy metals can be seen. Beats me why anyone would use anything else but natural bio paints.<br /><br />Good for your health and good for the earth.Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-80760435399082313462009-10-19T21:46:00.009+11:002009-10-21T21:36:29.856+11:00Building the eco friendly way - Cladding and internal fix out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheL1beGHfinCSCxZVbPLf0104EmIQRnFDir9OdflUBlSmchxQfPewjIRHSfkgMgzIchobytL-8MyxYhuukk1UVUH35AvBYFhgJV2AWGmC8l0HQl_EzDUFDRVfKwIOJJ2n-W4LF-fibRK57/s1600-h/oct+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheL1beGHfinCSCxZVbPLf0104EmIQRnFDir9OdflUBlSmchxQfPewjIRHSfkgMgzIchobytL-8MyxYhuukk1UVUH35AvBYFhgJV2AWGmC8l0HQl_EzDUFDRVfKwIOJJ2n-W4LF-fibRK57/s400/oct+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394268514998854674" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately when choosing to use a hardwood in their home, most people are not aware of the environmental issues associated with that choice. Although any tree that is cut down for timber can be replaced with another newly planted tree, most Australian hardwoods are slow growing and a lot of the timber that you may get from a timber yard could be from a tree 50 years old. There has been so much logging of old growth forests carried out in Australia over the years that we really are getting to the point where we should think about stopping.<br /><br />Making the right sustainable choice for hardwood IS hard. As a minimum, if you are obtaining new timber, look for timber that has some from of chain of custody accreditation, such as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FSC</span>.<br /><br />OR do what we do.<br /><br />We only used reclaimed or recycled timbers.<br /><br />The image above is of some Red <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ironbark</span> stair treads that were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">salvaged</span> from a warehouse in Sydney.<br /><br />Below are some recycled <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Bluegum</span> posts and beams being used for some external pergolas and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">verandas</span>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFrXdWNTWPB0IirsB_5skhSNMwV9j1AMYECPfisJlD_Q-EvZR7JSyHPt08dJx55ttLusNFylCP6P5-ISbHPS74Czdqk3ofacQYTjdaPZVTN4xLHF8u7oQN6Cak6w3wxYKRvEco5P09olH/s1600-h/oct+040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFrXdWNTWPB0IirsB_5skhSNMwV9j1AMYECPfisJlD_Q-EvZR7JSyHPt08dJx55ttLusNFylCP6P5-ISbHPS74Czdqk3ofacQYTjdaPZVTN4xLHF8u7oQN6Cak6w3wxYKRvEco5P09olH/s400/oct+040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394265867635966546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Not only is reclaimed and recycled timber a very sustainable choice, it is also a much better timber. Newly logged timber is high in moisture and therefore very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">unstable</span>. To reduce the moisture content in the timber, it is force dried in kilns to dry out and reduce the moisture content down to a stable level. The problem with such forced drying is that the timber is still prone to warping, cupping and twisting as it re-adjusts to it's new environment.<br /><br />With recycled or reclaimed timber, because it is so old, it has dried out naturally and is a very stable timber.<br /><br />Below is some more recycled <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Bluegum</span> which has been used as feature wall cladding at the entry to the house.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhou_7bjxxHgJujh6w6lMo4JuDb7jT2QKwCLoTSWoj-tpNDG6OpZHsbVIpSpc4diVyQFJxMUJ4z1_FL-iWjodnOLNbdf00ckFZnQ7NPuawQ7-JZzJ_5hdPokBONDNggZj1cr1DAOG_c13YC/s1600-h/oct+038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhou_7bjxxHgJujh6w6lMo4JuDb7jT2QKwCLoTSWoj-tpNDG6OpZHsbVIpSpc4diVyQFJxMUJ4z1_FL-iWjodnOLNbdf00ckFZnQ7NPuawQ7-JZzJ_5hdPokBONDNggZj1cr1DAOG_c13YC/s400/oct+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394265102244866722" border="0" /></a>Below is another progress photo of the front, or North of the house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaeDW-g_JvBAwk9pecqSZpZdxbc5-bM7X5z8pGe54TEjGHGdPGOjL-pAOiFVWOw-XujNSnJagqUehzXjR5VKDRH0Uic7IFxjMLlZ87Yt3m_1AjIvrKT04eWxzngt9nL44s59FPAsGOJ4X/s1600-h/oct+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaeDW-g_JvBAwk9pecqSZpZdxbc5-bM7X5z8pGe54TEjGHGdPGOjL-pAOiFVWOw-XujNSnJagqUehzXjR5VKDRH0Uic7IFxjMLlZ87Yt3m_1AjIvrKT04eWxzngt9nL44s59FPAsGOJ4X/s400/oct+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394264080953955890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiKHSkGEKBMESW8zgKkqaqqCXIcKDDjyoKwaLdmyzYuGlZgZept-eAogGN0wSUuYNhmkXJNpjHthcS9sKGGZ6L8O6tS-n38gF7I-SBys4khdvAS5DaiO60r0iVHOuvCeUfT0bKPwDvfCx/s1600-h/oct+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiKHSkGEKBMESW8zgKkqaqqCXIcKDDjyoKwaLdmyzYuGlZgZept-eAogGN0wSUuYNhmkXJNpjHthcS9sKGGZ6L8O6tS-n38gF7I-SBys4khdvAS5DaiO60r0iVHOuvCeUfT0bKPwDvfCx/s400/oct+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394263222993569362" border="0" /></a>Keeping cool in summer is critical to a well designed green building, particularly when looking to avoid air conditioning.<br /><br />To achieve this, cross ventilation and ventilation control is the key.<br /><br />We find that louvre windows such as the one above below are the best way to achieve fine control over the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">amount</span> of ventilation required.<br /><br />Louvre windows are the only windows that allow you to open a window a full 100% for maximum cross ventilation of to feather that back to a fine opening of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">only</span> 2% to ensure fresh air supply.<br /><br />They look good, provide <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">uninterrupted</span> vision because there are no framing members and are very secure.<br /><br />The old loose and rattly louvres of the 50's are a thing of the past. The louvres currently available seal so well that they are cyclone rated.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvOcMUKXi77LQQD7MEzNRrA4Mxl7ESuhooter3MeqXnia6FU43D2Mdo47EKC9eBXL65etgzSnTxfZuwxZKKQLSPUyLHbhf7da7XreGi9eM_QePC7zJb5g3kMV4wgw7M-XWzjieom7c8La/s1600-h/oct+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvOcMUKXi77LQQD7MEzNRrA4Mxl7ESuhooter3MeqXnia6FU43D2Mdo47EKC9eBXL65etgzSnTxfZuwxZKKQLSPUyLHbhf7da7XreGi9eM_QePC7zJb5g3kMV4wgw7M-XWzjieom7c8La/s400/oct+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394262612580199426" border="0" /></a>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-50503734992533072942009-09-23T21:01:00.011+10:002009-09-27T12:32:51.669+10:00Building the eco friendly way - External cladding and building envelope<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uuOfl-0Gre1v1-vHAZG-vb125LLKsYJ0Ybr4w3I0W6ualdblXUN7J_d1BrfSLYnFI5gklX3WPbGcv9Z3KF8e9BVtZPGQZ7CJWAuB6YIeQFfeC6h3dxaVTvVMYlfOPVwvegSiWcpTSgDF/s1600-h/23+sep+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uuOfl-0Gre1v1-vHAZG-vb125LLKsYJ0Ybr4w3I0W6ualdblXUN7J_d1BrfSLYnFI5gklX3WPbGcv9Z3KF8e9BVtZPGQZ7CJWAuB6YIeQFfeC6h3dxaVTvVMYlfOPVwvegSiWcpTSgDF/s400/23+sep+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384618641788706322" border="0" /></a>As one can see from the image above, things are progressing along nicely. The external Fibre Cement cladding is nearing completion to the first floor, all windows are installed and some internal works have commenced. On the second floor roof a photo voltaic solar array is just visible above the roof sheeting.<br /><br />The solar array, below, is a grid connected 3 kW system which we believe should look after all of the household power needs, making the house a genuine zero carbon or carbon <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">neutral</span> house.<br />The panels have perfect due north exposure and are mounted on support frames to bring them up to the optimal solar angle for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Sydney's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">latitude</span>, thus ensuring they generate the most energy possible.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvrJoWqlRzFTBKCFdtFX5pJIxxd1VxM2z9ytlZQeEV8ufqPzRX9OPMn4h5PPyHO0hPGD3lc2853t9kj5TUxpC5IRCt_Uhc6YpkSSQEiSWwrkOrj5q1eln9u_3VMIyxCPCiTvRLO_UunvG/s1600-h/30+aug+051.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvrJoWqlRzFTBKCFdtFX5pJIxxd1VxM2z9ytlZQeEV8ufqPzRX9OPMn4h5PPyHO0hPGD3lc2853t9kj5TUxpC5IRCt_Uhc6YpkSSQEiSWwrkOrj5q1eln9u_3VMIyxCPCiTvRLO_UunvG/s400/30+aug+051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384619344963172418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjht4jmf5U6u5OeRLwkyduZtF_Rk4178QBnbSJHnBeSJ7aWSyCo2p7aRtASRNjqB8mCHmVw396vSE4QZgKJw-Oef-3vlHRy9o5FByz8cNrM0cEZCu1qTPviAaJe9JuSvhStl-mRsI8Ss-9v/s1600-h/23+sep+023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 393px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjht4jmf5U6u5OeRLwkyduZtF_Rk4178QBnbSJHnBeSJ7aWSyCo2p7aRtASRNjqB8mCHmVw396vSE4QZgKJw-Oef-3vlHRy9o5FByz8cNrM0cEZCu1qTPviAaJe9JuSvhStl-mRsI8Ss-9v/s400/23+sep+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384619921988088050" border="0" /></a>An important but often overlooked aspect of good passive design is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ensuring</span> that a house is well insulated. Insulation products are available in various 'R' values. An R value represents the thermal resistance of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">particular</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">insulation</span> product. So in theory the higher the R value, the greater the insulating properties.<br /><br />However achieving a well insulated building envelope is not just a case of using the highest R value you can find. It is possible to have too much insulation. Insulation works on trapping air between the fibres, so good loft is required for the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">insulation</span> to work properly. If <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">insulation</span> is squashed into a wall of roof to make it fit, then the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">insulation</span> will not loft and won't perform to its optimum. If you don't get the full insulating value from your <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">insulation</span> product then you are simply wasting money.<br /><br />Also, when creating a well <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">insulated</span> building envelope it is critical to provide adequate ventilation to roof spaces and wall cavities. It you don't, then you will create a moist and damp environment which will become a breeding ground for unhealthy moulds.<br /><br />Above and below are the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">insulation</span> product and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">installation</span> that we typically use. We always choose to use polyester <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">insulation</span> because it very safe to handle when installing (it is just like installing fluffy pillows), contains no formaldehyde unlike most glass fibre insulation and is made from recycled materials such as PET bottles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQYrc_3StHB912o9X6OPCx9_y3l71cwPiRTbSECkJSbxZLeAVPkRT3JotGEOd0J90AKh-GIQjFfSgiDqPaq-Y0oWtQd-vaoqviN9KU3NbvedZbz03lC4ZQcMEqXeHlUFvmX9iF0HdCxkG/s1600-h/23+sep+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 399px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQYrc_3StHB912o9X6OPCx9_y3l71cwPiRTbSECkJSbxZLeAVPkRT3JotGEOd0J90AKh-GIQjFfSgiDqPaq-Y0oWtQd-vaoqviN9KU3NbvedZbz03lC4ZQcMEqXeHlUFvmX9iF0HdCxkG/s400/23+sep+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384617385433404738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Something that we are big on is trying to re-use heat and energy twice. In the case of the ducting and fan in the image below, this is not air conditioning. The simple fan and duct system transfers warmed or cooled air from one part of the house to another. So in the case of winter, a well heated living space will create and element of 'wasted' heat which we duct off and transfer to the second floor bedrooms. Those bedrooms are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">there fore</span> heated virtually for free. The fan uses less energy than a single light globe and is linked to a thermostat which controls the temperature<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCAErlWrWFAyUOSEOPKemM9RqPD-C2-iuDRC7op6nJSdRq5QOPTK4Jy99GKME7gZPKVf8yV5KRGy3dnhedqbVAXI6I8qjgXazVZHbWl_LmbN3V21QzbRCu09xcsRdpXDrPsWBsZE-GYTP/s1600-h/23+sep+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 339px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCAErlWrWFAyUOSEOPKemM9RqPD-C2-iuDRC7op6nJSdRq5QOPTK4Jy99GKME7gZPKVf8yV5KRGy3dnhedqbVAXI6I8qjgXazVZHbWl_LmbN3V21QzbRCu09xcsRdpXDrPsWBsZE-GYTP/s400/23+sep+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384618026188815314" border="0" /></a>Most people fail to realise how much heat loss or heat gain occurs through the glass in their windows. Most windows as standard have nothing more than 3mm thick glass which has no more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">insulating</span> value than cling film!. In our opinion, upgrading the glass in windows is one of the most important aspects of green building.<br /><br />The first step up from standard glass is to install what is called a 'Low E' coated glass. This has an efficiency improvement of around 40% over standard glass. The next step up would be to double glass your windows.<br /><br />In the case of this house, we have used a Low E coated glass, below, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">because</span> it provides a great combination of cost and performance for a temperate climate such as Sydney.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsa2bQKFRBazCfMAaNP0cEO54MD4tQO2Kjg2COIKxhv49yjH6-RAeGt7N3DpJZ6SfjjSRjLjzZ0IsXE1TS_4pua3QLfPdyh-XICd1irBdZi33Er-qWcH8DwrDGHrbU6iEqim5GkEq053h/s1600-h/23+sep+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 418px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsa2bQKFRBazCfMAaNP0cEO54MD4tQO2Kjg2COIKxhv49yjH6-RAeGt7N3DpJZ6SfjjSRjLjzZ0IsXE1TS_4pua3QLfPdyh-XICd1irBdZi33Er-qWcH8DwrDGHrbU6iEqim5GkEq053h/s400/23+sep+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384616661378780754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We simply love the look of this shot. The cladding, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">roof line</span>, exposed roofing timbers and shadows.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1v7L46TrjVqxSu8op2eDbjzmejF2ZgCYTvAwEa7UCOR13uy8QavFyP2bx4wIQgEIZAA1H9uoeD6Bl4edfF3TA4D49l4JFsqdCCX5K-vKP72a68vQzqJOe2tmohAkxOLhj_AdSbnCQ3Ajv/s1600-h/23+sep+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1v7L46TrjVqxSu8op2eDbjzmejF2ZgCYTvAwEa7UCOR13uy8QavFyP2bx4wIQgEIZAA1H9uoeD6Bl4edfF3TA4D49l4JFsqdCCX5K-vKP72a68vQzqJOe2tmohAkxOLhj_AdSbnCQ3Ajv/s400/23+sep+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385958884032078178" border="0" /></a>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-65357480316843674302009-08-30T20:36:00.008+10:002009-08-30T21:47:24.006+10:00Building the eco friendly way - Roofing and cladding progress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB1UZ0WYBSxFvLHwKnSkzftQ0gFAhlITKqwyS-OB_TI9Yx1DrONK4InTeB8nqZuhxC6krsWOCNRwqX6zPoRTj3_a8WRUnkNQZYRVAySeaBlvwW_EcxJPnZl7HXP9f7tJfnbqTR6mvQHEp/s1600-h/30+aug+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB1UZ0WYBSxFvLHwKnSkzftQ0gFAhlITKqwyS-OB_TI9Yx1DrONK4InTeB8nqZuhxC6krsWOCNRwqX6zPoRTj3_a8WRUnkNQZYRVAySeaBlvwW_EcxJPnZl7HXP9f7tJfnbqTR6mvQHEp/s400/30+aug+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375707001422037458" border="0" /></a>Progress from our previous post is obvious, we now have the roof on. The roof sheeting material we have used is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Colorbond</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Customorb</span> metal sheeting. We have a general preference to use this form of roof material because of it's low thermal mass as well as <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">preferring</span> the aesthetics afforded by the metal sheeting. The metal roof sheeting also has the added benefit of being lighter weight than lost other forms of roof covering, thus reducing the load on the roof framing and leading to a more economical structure.<br /><br />Directly below the roof sheeting we have installed a 75mm foil faced insulation blanket which provides a R2.5 insulation value which well exceeds the minimum requirements.<br /><br />For a roof/ceiling insulation system to work there must be two levels of insulation. One directly below the roof sheeting which works to prevent heat or cold from entering a house, and the other directly above the ceiling which works to prevent heat rising and being lost out of a house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZKimAexTWkdTH3sJ7hCD_GTo84-QxUzeXLANotBBxekvDpKuE7Inb8emehSxts1YXF0YaZOue0Nuxoxx2bB8eZLzJxHqQx6ZD44rD0eoYbJ1v30sKEy9iCLFeFPMqVScYYJdHw13rqho/s1600-h/30+aug+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZKimAexTWkdTH3sJ7hCD_GTo84-QxUzeXLANotBBxekvDpKuE7Inb8emehSxts1YXF0YaZOue0Nuxoxx2bB8eZLzJxHqQx6ZD44rD0eoYbJ1v30sKEy9iCLFeFPMqVScYYJdHw13rqho/s400/30+aug+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375706318839139298" border="0" /></a>As part of creating a well insulated and sealed building, building wrap or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sisalation</span> is required behind any external cladding as we have used above. The building wrap serves two purposes:<br /><ul><li>it provides a vapor barrier to keep the wall cavity free of moisture</li><li>it is an integral part of any insulation strategy to achieve a high overall R value for a wall system</li></ul>As part of a well designed wall system, building wrap can add up to R 0.5 to the overall wall insulation level.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADbjYnH-2J-88Vyl0Y0NcVVsgVyBFeo1ivmgK1OBLi1EU_sYU2K0IJHVLIdQBk12uR5VIarhAmkIVe9QgLO8hLh0CEkutx2Nh2F7hR45aIwY5KJOaKyYtTV-w3lmEVeOBgpgve9IAs11j/s1600-h/30+aug+044.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADbjYnH-2J-88Vyl0Y0NcVVsgVyBFeo1ivmgK1OBLi1EU_sYU2K0IJHVLIdQBk12uR5VIarhAmkIVe9QgLO8hLh0CEkutx2Nh2F7hR45aIwY5KJOaKyYtTV-w3lmEVeOBgpgve9IAs11j/s400/30+aug+044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375705090924019618" border="0" /></a>Keeping a roof cavity well ventilated is key to reducing the heat gain in a house during the summer. Without the ability to escape, any heat that is built up in a roof space will transfer through the ceiling and into the house increasing the internal temperature. The system we use is a series of vents that are located on the low and high sides of the roof, see the black strips in the photo above, which extract heat from the roof via natural convection, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ie</span> heat rising. So as the heat within the roof increases it will naturally rise towards the higher vents whilst cooler <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">replacement</span> air is brought in via the lower vents.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOAzRYT_E7_Zwj2OZoepKNDzZpHRgenAEJGbWdbtWaAF9kbnLKE4SPE90UaJ7Bz9aG43_s6LHvIX5ri4zmzCnWe8z8WKw9I5duOfMzhB0W_rMdu-7mfdqFJX-y-jJlJawwSCK9HZvLHxM/s1600-h/30+aug+025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOAzRYT_E7_Zwj2OZoepKNDzZpHRgenAEJGbWdbtWaAF9kbnLKE4SPE90UaJ7Bz9aG43_s6LHvIX5ri4zmzCnWe8z8WKw9I5duOfMzhB0W_rMdu-7mfdqFJX-y-jJlJawwSCK9HZvLHxM/s400/30+aug+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375705797155706770" border="0" /></a>The plumbing first fix out has commenced and in the image above the lilac recycled grey water pipework can be seen running to a new toilet cistern. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">grey water</span> treatment system being installed will treat <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">grey water</span> to a Class A standard which makes it acceptable to re-use for flushing toilets, in washing machines and for watering gardens.Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-28456831888615681602009-07-31T08:35:00.009+10:002009-08-01T12:35:02.456+10:00Building the eco friendly way - Wall and roof framing progress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_sVVawN5RlFUfEzsvCEO9OXqMX6M-bkDcTPYpBUVuAxWijnc7IAfoCVTJivd-X-3N9xw2NIgdQi8bUEexthjTr-nTESQ37QFgGsjIioCwnYLCSyicO8aZsdlZ6j3ZpsSFzYc5Wn2BEKP/s1600-h/21+june+023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_sVVawN5RlFUfEzsvCEO9OXqMX6M-bkDcTPYpBUVuAxWijnc7IAfoCVTJivd-X-3N9xw2NIgdQi8bUEexthjTr-nTESQ37QFgGsjIioCwnYLCSyicO8aZsdlZ6j3ZpsSFzYc5Wn2BEKP/s400/21+june+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364386825416370834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />We mentioned previously that the intention is for the house to be self sufficient for water. The tank above is where all the potable or drinkable water will come from for the house. Based on our calculations, the tank size of 24,000 litre should be adequate for our clients anticipated water usage. A grey water recycling system will provide the water for flushing of toilets, the washing of clothes and for garden watering. So the tank above will only supply water to bathroom and kitchen taps and showers.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZYtTjX3h63UjnmAGO0hvGh6Qhy1omv6f-3oSSP-IBGSEv4549r4py_cGbA8P0ccgMz0CeT_NocQS6D8G5mP2IdP2bgBB6nSXlQJGjaAOzdkaFgFYUbQXxlzl_l1vTl04eOeJjgUo7_fq/s1600-h/21+june+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 390px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZYtTjX3h63UjnmAGO0hvGh6Qhy1omv6f-3oSSP-IBGSEv4549r4py_cGbA8P0ccgMz0CeT_NocQS6D8G5mP2IdP2bgBB6nSXlQJGjaAOzdkaFgFYUbQXxlzl_l1vTl04eOeJjgUo7_fq/s400/21+june+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364388245434622370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SnfZEHkIVyhaR_6rW8h1w5R7JZ5ZljIN1V1obnCaKETYNXz25Dw4CSPIFf9U0n_SLwOg6qEdIO7KTPMDTPDB5BLrHNtwpuBtrdfIgax3NunOWDlZ8tOaAGC9z2nfTdV4SMxSaIVOPC4D/s1600-h/21+june+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 393px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SnfZEHkIVyhaR_6rW8h1w5R7JZ5ZljIN1V1obnCaKETYNXz25Dw4CSPIFf9U0n_SLwOg6qEdIO7KTPMDTPDB5BLrHNtwpuBtrdfIgax3NunOWDlZ8tOaAGC9z2nfTdV4SMxSaIVOPC4D/s400/21+june+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364386290697226802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The erection of the wall and roof framing is progressing well. The images above show the single level, north facing living areas virtually complete. Elements of structural steel were required to facilitate the large spans across some of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">window</span> openings.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XhVceLBycRSlakb4RvXO6cWVpoP7BjyjM3tO6k9N_GTjR2ydaa7CNgqmJUGdRNqzV6Muk8F3LuH2leB8bM3ArRDwsrPtqfINfUR1x4JtQGWOZQxxPnoO3keVVDvq7MSUSImgyF5hGZBU/s1600-h/21+june+028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XhVceLBycRSlakb4RvXO6cWVpoP7BjyjM3tO6k9N_GTjR2ydaa7CNgqmJUGdRNqzV6Muk8F3LuH2leB8bM3ArRDwsrPtqfINfUR1x4JtQGWOZQxxPnoO3keVVDvq7MSUSImgyF5hGZBU/s400/21+june+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364387707250582194" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.chhwoodproducts.com.au/hyspan/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hyspan</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> rafters have been used for the large span living area, as can be seen below. A <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">hyspan</span> rafter is essentially a plywood composite beam made using low grade plantation pine timber. The beams offer a very economical means with which to create large spans with timber. The adhesive used to bind the timber is rated as E0, which is the lowest <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">VOC</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">emission</span> level available.<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5zSIeNvF88ap87lUJ5dIy7xsVYxYY4ay9WNHCSxPZ__cBWVRWdOFDNFY24ZvFJAzpg05f-BRGQQdyHCVH1UKSsYxz_nwboiL9UrYiz4LFRGmk3d2cAYkgb7p-3rUUinX-KImU0nwMr8y/s1600-h/31+july+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5zSIeNvF88ap87lUJ5dIy7xsVYxYY4ay9WNHCSxPZ__cBWVRWdOFDNFY24ZvFJAzpg05f-BRGQQdyHCVH1UKSsYxz_nwboiL9UrYiz4LFRGmk3d2cAYkgb7p-3rUUinX-KImU0nwMr8y/s400/31+july+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364388887934135650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Having completed all of the ground floor framing, above you can see the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">first</span> floor wall frames and some of the roof framing being erected. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Note in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">for ground</span> the timber waste stockpile. We are really anti the waste created during construction, and so are constantly looking for ways to try and reduce any material wastage. Any waste material created is being separated into like material groups <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ie</span>, steel, timber, concrete etc so that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">recycling</span> is as easy as possible. Irrespective of this, waste created during construction is a big environmental problem. It is estimated that demolition and construction creates around 25% of all waste created. So long before avenues for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">recyling</span> are looked at, waste should simply be reduced. We feel that we are doing a really good job of this, but as you can see in the image, it still exists.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">On top of the environmental <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">concerns</span> is the fact that waste such as the timber above <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">has</span> been paid for. One might as well simply throw money into the rubbish. So reducing waste also has a bottom line, it is good for your back pocket.</span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-18096157389321134262009-07-08T17:36:00.009+10:002009-07-16T18:15:34.168+10:00Building the eco friendly way - Wall framing commences<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1y6240Yx9a8_7rtJ4GJ0gn3iY-gY9C1TE7J-TUDTxd-YPeZLb8B_AKUd5CULUsOyFEm6cdo6TQnxNUCWZPeAbZlmW-Zhkxw0GttV0DUMnMkkNRl7y-4Qv35EVWEF8RYBe4LeuXqLG0p2/s1600-h/21+june+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1y6240Yx9a8_7rtJ4GJ0gn3iY-gY9C1TE7J-TUDTxd-YPeZLb8B_AKUd5CULUsOyFEm6cdo6TQnxNUCWZPeAbZlmW-Zhkxw0GttV0DUMnMkkNRl7y-4Qv35EVWEF8RYBe4LeuXqLG0p2/s400/21+june+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356000513721393954" border="0" /></a>The most efficient way for timber wall frames to be manufactured is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-fabricated in a factory. Waste is kept to a minimum, there are substantial time efficiencies due to no wet weather delays as well as cost efficiencies over frames fabricated on site. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pre</span>-fab wall frames are made in full or part wall sections, bundled together and delivered to site as shown above. All that is left to do is erect them.<br /><br />You will also note that the wall frames have a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">blu</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ish</span> colour. The colour indicates that the timber has been treated with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Permethrin</span>, which is an organic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">termiticide</span> and provides 25 year protection against termite attack. Termites are are perpetual problem in Sydney and in our opinion you can not protect a timber structure enough from them. Generally we are not in favour of any form of chemical treatment of construction products. However, there is absolutely nothing sustainable about having a timber structure attacked by termites and a house requiring substantial repair before the end of its <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">useful</span> life. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">permethrin</span> does not leach from the timber and remains encapsulated in the structure of the wood, so in theory the environmental impact is minimal.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZVqH0THgA1g6lcHXK5ZOgBLagIOPMjaxA4kTHhsM2TohuudXFYNvftU39TqBYtfAt68dVifjXdUIEnhEN2H1gUJKwpNa5yRq3-dZ4lOJnLihwLlmOW0b1biofn1ZAJBvS5ZQKSKwoiaK/s1600-h/21+june+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZVqH0THgA1g6lcHXK5ZOgBLagIOPMjaxA4kTHhsM2TohuudXFYNvftU39TqBYtfAt68dVifjXdUIEnhEN2H1gUJKwpNa5yRq3-dZ4lOJnLihwLlmOW0b1biofn1ZAJBvS5ZQKSKwoiaK/s400/21+june+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356001066085165506" border="0" /></a>The key to using timber is for it to be either recycled or sustainably forested. In the case of the wall framing timber we are using, as you can see above, it is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">plantation</span> pine which comes from Australian Forestry Standard (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">AFS</span>) or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">FSC</span> (Forest Stewardship Council) certified plantations.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0iDwLjCKgUlTXmLOHFNoyE5-8EMpW3itwugocY-ISeJNTInaaJi9ZdDhduhPQ5O3e9iD9C9T41Yf4-MBFEoZ8tTkQtmd6FRzb5cw-xKuqt-bNBFEGF_AtIMCH-vKiT9F-G2j6UAsrA4R/s1600-h/21+june+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0iDwLjCKgUlTXmLOHFNoyE5-8EMpW3itwugocY-ISeJNTInaaJi9ZdDhduhPQ5O3e9iD9C9T41Yf4-MBFEoZ8tTkQtmd6FRzb5cw-xKuqt-bNBFEGF_AtIMCH-vKiT9F-G2j6UAsrA4R/s400/21+june+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356001942282900834" border="0" /></a>The first wall frames go up. Standing and fixing the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">pre</span>-fab <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Wall</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">frames</span> is a little bit like building a house of cards. Each frame is akin to one of the cards and as each additional frame is erected it adds to the overall structural <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">integrity</span> of the house.<br /><br />In the background you can see the 24,000 litre rainwater storage tank for the house. The aim for the house is to be self sufficient for water, so potable water for bathing, cooking and drinking will come from this tank.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xJMjvv0BN8kcCKEtpU9HbMPauD5hqQCDV088b76oJEP1AzZJ9ooK8GuRL0-7ZiiY2Z0tB0w_gCAJwHcKMsq0r_8CPG_6ojlOf_VI1D3RHM2s_BnCvBXl0464QgFBGfuihxNnfcRFScxi/s1600-h/21+june+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xJMjvv0BN8kcCKEtpU9HbMPauD5hqQCDV088b76oJEP1AzZJ9ooK8GuRL0-7ZiiY2Z0tB0w_gCAJwHcKMsq0r_8CPG_6ojlOf_VI1D3RHM2s_BnCvBXl0464QgFBGfuihxNnfcRFScxi/s400/21+june+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356002701133586050" border="0" /></a><br />Having spent so much time and effort polishing the concrete it deserved to be protected. Being the great recyclers that we are we came across recycled carpet that had been put out for a Council kerbside clean up. Unfortunately carpet is one of those construction <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">products</span> that seems to always end up as landfill. It seems that no-one has found a way to recycled it. So if we can give it one more use before it ends up there, then all the better. So in the image above you can see part of the main living area floor protected with the carpet.Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-56075964258156400682009-06-29T18:02:00.008+10:002009-07-08T17:36:16.346+10:00Building the eco friendly way - Concrete polishing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-o73y3wj7NHe5GSjQEkG9m7t8EAr9O8NsktoiLtBgwdtUITwp5iGOX4ZjadTrN7CEcQ2uhvltBkgNsai4Xqcb9xJXtVFzjzxLlqUHlWdgRJYie6MK8IWrFKG81sN8BuZoUXzFIEoRkSo/s1600-h/21+june+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-o73y3wj7NHe5GSjQEkG9m7t8EAr9O8NsktoiLtBgwdtUITwp5iGOX4ZjadTrN7CEcQ2uhvltBkgNsai4Xqcb9xJXtVFzjzxLlqUHlWdgRJYie6MK8IWrFKG81sN8BuZoUXzFIEoRkSo/s400/21+june+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352659847680492418" border="0" /></a>Now that the concrete has fully cured, we had to finish it to a standard that we are happy to leave exposed as the finished floor. The term polished concrete is actually a little deceiving. The concrete is not so much polished as 'ground' through various grades of 'polishing stones'. Starting with a diamond grinding stone and progressing through to fine grinding stones which are a bit like sanding concrete with sandpaper. The aim for us was to create a concrete surface with a uniform grey colour and some small aggregate exposed.<br /><br />The shot above shows the grinding in process. Slow and laborious with many passes across the concrete as one moves through the 'polishing stones'. The grinding can be done dry or wet, we chose to grind it wet purely because the cement dust is a health hazard that we could do without.<br /><br />The image below shows the concrete surface once we had finished 'polishing' the concrete. You can see the uniform colour as well as the exposure of some smaller aggregate...perfect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C3H2aLvuDzUBENfLuEGknfYEpZacEEtTeuVpe-o454nA6MOvBwCSgg5lm5w2O2UtHuRKbdKSapZQtRVPQiXsOXP0rZFr3FndX7VS-uRF1NDBYTIefJRka-7wjgosBioyyryk3apjbcLM/s1600-h/21+june+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C3H2aLvuDzUBENfLuEGknfYEpZacEEtTeuVpe-o454nA6MOvBwCSgg5lm5w2O2UtHuRKbdKSapZQtRVPQiXsOXP0rZFr3FndX7VS-uRF1NDBYTIefJRka-7wjgosBioyyryk3apjbcLM/s400/21+june+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352657618111785090" border="0" /></a>From a negative perspective, concrete polishing has the effect of wearing the finished concrete surface, thus leaving the concrete exposed to staining from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">anything</span> that might be dropped on it. So a sealer needs to be applied to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">provide</span> a barrier that prevents the spilt red wine from leaving a stain!<br /><br />Our choice of sealer is a water based sealing compound manufactured in Australia by a paint company called <a href="http://www.murabond.com.au/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Murobond</span></a>. We love both them and their stuff. They have a strong environmental bent both in the products they make and their company attitude. All of their paints and finishes are either low or zero <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">VOC</span>, perfect for anyone planning to building green.<br /><br />After curing the sealer for a week, we will be straight onto the slab and erecting the timber wall frames. Watch for the next post.Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-62284989572295279172009-05-19T21:24:00.004+10:002009-05-19T22:19:43.876+10:00Building the eco friendly way - Concrete slab pour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjw413XlCBb49b7bJAfyxN0nw12S_ZnRk9vCfW3ceSTcjRHkHYtvgdgWd3vCbaPUnHqAtzixMpZtQ80BXRTcaIGmvMtvYzy3Nj3B7LZ42gqbWgSFJN0Niz1o6c8JUH2CUQ5pvBjIO34h_A/s1600-h/28+April+043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjw413XlCBb49b7bJAfyxN0nw12S_ZnRk9vCfW3ceSTcjRHkHYtvgdgWd3vCbaPUnHqAtzixMpZtQ80BXRTcaIGmvMtvYzy3Nj3B7LZ42gqbWgSFJN0Niz1o6c8JUH2CUQ5pvBjIO34h_A/s400/28+April+043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337497217903388370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Most people are not aware of the significant carbon impact that the production of cement has. Production of cement accounts for 5% of the worlds carbon. This is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">significant</span> figure for what seems to be an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">innocuous</span> product. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Because cement plays such a significant part in the construction of any building , if one is to truly build green, then it is important to look at ways to reduce the amount of cement used.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">And one of the biggest users of cement in construction is in the manufacture of concrete. Greener concrete suppliers have now started to deal with this issue but supplanting cement content with a product called fly ash. Fly ash is a by-product from the burning of coal and makes an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">excellent</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">substitute</span> for cement. By using fly ash in concrete, what has previously been seen as a waste product now has become a valuable asset.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">For this project we have used concrete from a supplier who has replaced a portion of the cement content with fly ash, significantly reducing the carbon <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">footprint</span> of the concrete we have used.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrpU7h1VZfIQ9mogVIKrJ65kpFIfFXBndzFvM6-W7K4CYlv3qrFoeflrlo-mAvCq63o-0Y9j12bLfD6x8VMVQi7myW4na5n3AdDfmEgtaul-qQT4wUT7uFLYLG08yJSX0QZS9XH_n5YP2/s1600-h/28+April+048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrpU7h1VZfIQ9mogVIKrJ65kpFIfFXBndzFvM6-W7K4CYlv3qrFoeflrlo-mAvCq63o-0Y9j12bLfD6x8VMVQi7myW4na5n3AdDfmEgtaul-qQT4wUT7uFLYLG08yJSX0QZS9XH_n5YP2/s400/28+April+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337496221574806514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Because we intend to leave the concrete slab as an exposed element, it is crucial that the concrete is finished and trowelled well. Our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">requirement</span> was for the concrete to receive a near burnished finish. A burnished finish is when the concrete is mechanically trowelled with a trowelling machine, as seen above, until it has cured sufficiently that the blades of the trowel are almost burning the concrete surface due to the friction of the steel blades on the concrete. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We have used a burnished finish because it provides a durable and hard wearing surface to the concrete as well as a subtle surface lustre.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpPnfJbWxTcx-A2lQwoM1N4zeCXwtbr20tGm3XKIHZhIPEPRMJiOWoDCBXWc65oSiZLJfaRnDml6edFXAVG1ijwTQy_EL-0N_HYLH0-6C7_EQKNTXyRWb-dpctw6AQozunOab6dwpwuCa/s1600-h/28+April+050.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpPnfJbWxTcx-A2lQwoM1N4zeCXwtbr20tGm3XKIHZhIPEPRMJiOWoDCBXWc65oSiZLJfaRnDml6edFXAVG1ijwTQy_EL-0N_HYLH0-6C7_EQKNTXyRWb-dpctw6AQozunOab6dwpwuCa/s400/28+April+050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337495318345993554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Lastly, and most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">importantly</span> is the curing of concrete once it has poured. Curing of concrete is one part of the concreting process that is often neglected. However, without proper <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">curing</span>, all of the earlier effort will be wasted. Curing it the process of preventing concrete from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">prematurely</span> drying out due to exposure to the sun or wind. If freshly poured concrete is allowed to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">prematurely</span> dry out, it will fail to achieve its final strength and the quality of the surface finish will suffer.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">There are many ways to cure concrete, but the main methods are either the application of a chemical compound to the surface, covering the surface with plastic sheeting or permanently keeping the surface wet. We avoid the use of the chemical compound for environmental reasons and the plastic sheeting because it can mark the finished surface of the concrete. So we use a method of keeping wet hessian rolled out across the concrete surface, as you can see in the image above. Typically concrete should be cured for a minimum of 7 days, with up to 30 days ideal. Given that the finished internal floor will be the exposed concrete, we have chosen to cure the concrete for 30 days to ensure that we have the best quality surface finish.</span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-22389652865283267362009-05-06T20:42:00.010+10:002009-05-06T21:52:06.032+10:00Building the eco friendly way - Concrete slab preparation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeme_MIMKs7hPrG8AHlMqCTIE6J510KZTjtsgN4asQbWiQ0eY2RSG0u98WvN8Yd5aEmtaWrIImenp-NEYGYoY4h0luQe0tzSHyr2YZAMpZJdsg_2dMjzmTREGzL_6sHbzIIAsC8-QQ6M6w/s1600-h/28+April+055.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeme_MIMKs7hPrG8AHlMqCTIE6J510KZTjtsgN4asQbWiQ0eY2RSG0u98WvN8Yd5aEmtaWrIImenp-NEYGYoY4h0luQe0tzSHyr2YZAMpZJdsg_2dMjzmTREGzL_6sHbzIIAsC8-QQ6M6w/s400/28+April+055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332664638475117602" border="0" /></a>Like most concrete slabs, reinforcing bar is required to help give the slab it's strength. And like all <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">material</span> choices that can be made during the course of construction, one can choose to make a sustainable choice or not. In the case of the reinforcing bar we have chosen to use reinforcing bar from a supplier who uses 100% recycled steel. By using recycled steel, the environmental impact of the steel has been reduced. Recycling steel uses a lot less overall energy than mining ore, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">precessing</span> it in order to make new steel.<br /><br />What is more, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">strength</span> and quality of the recycled material is the same as the new material.<br />The photo above shows the steel <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">reinforcing</span> being placed inside the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">form work</span> for the concrete slab.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Xg-ZyLimHKiJ2FfBXi9vepmuMqgMolyKH84g1yyatzUfpMGOVXia_pm_4MBUcHv-7x_IEOrj3BeZnDGWtP02XdC3q1JYCB7fyii1ANsc9iKfcSONcVqTdCMtupfqa80GA50dTczt_-Zr/s1600-h/28+April+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Xg-ZyLimHKiJ2FfBXi9vepmuMqgMolyKH84g1yyatzUfpMGOVXia_pm_4MBUcHv-7x_IEOrj3BeZnDGWtP02XdC3q1JYCB7fyii1ANsc9iKfcSONcVqTdCMtupfqa80GA50dTczt_-Zr/s400/28+April+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332663411748087042" border="0" /></a>Timber wall and roof framing is still the dominant material for house construction in Sydney. Unfortunately this is the favorite food of one of our native creatures, termites. So it is necessary to have some form of termite protection when you build in timber in order to prevent your house being eaten out around you!<br /><br />Termite protection can take many forms and more often than not involves some from of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">pesticide</span>. The key is, to avoid spraying termite barriers on the soil and ground around your house. Not only are they toxic for termites, but they aren't particularly good for humans and the ground ecology.<br /><br />Several new <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">products</span> on the market seek to address this issue by safely <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">encapsulating</span> a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">termiticide</span> within a 'blanket' a bit like thick <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">plastic</span>, which can not leach the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">termiticide</span>. These blankets are used to protect around pipes such as the one above, which prevent <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">termites</span> from entering your house by forming a physical barrier that the termites can not penetrate.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfJ38i1wC7SC5El14s183sEKVWAK1c4mRHklkfLlMMd7h_K58dpqyhaNLFrhTjMn0qHgVg5Pf_Kj4dsWQRNY9sfPa8BPO41FzJg0prjy6cGPnqJC7mvCS7EVm1sIghPWMuzQEnEkyHHVJ/s1600-h/28+April+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfJ38i1wC7SC5El14s183sEKVWAK1c4mRHklkfLlMMd7h_K58dpqyhaNLFrhTjMn0qHgVg5Pf_Kj4dsWQRNY9sfPa8BPO41FzJg0prjy6cGPnqJC7mvCS7EVm1sIghPWMuzQEnEkyHHVJ/s400/28+April+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332662408622519346" border="0" /></a><br />To heat the house in winter we have installed a 5 star gas in slab <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">hydronic</span> heating system. For those who don't know what I am talking about, a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">hydronic</span> heating system is essentially heated water running through pipes, the pink ones in the photo above, which delivers heat to a location, in our case, the concrete slab.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Hydronic</span> heating is very efficient <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">because</span> is works on the principle of radiant heat, which warms <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">objects</span> rather than <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">convective</span> heat which just warms the air. What is more, in slab <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">hydronic</span> heating is doubly efficient because the heat starts at the bottom most point in a room and rises to the top, heating everything along the way. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Rather</span> than air conditioning which <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">generally</span> tries to heat the air in a room from the grilles in the ceiling, down. One way is working with nature, heat rises, and the other is trying to fight it.<br /><br />For in slab <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">hydronic</span> heating to work at its best, the floor should not have an insulating covering such as carpet or timber. So tiles or exposed concrete in our case, tend to be the best.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUc_jqoBJrq_0A3IBqOIldUJ9caTUWhuD7yOzfKMaqg90xpfsHsabcWixt8X_c2A34pKciAwdrjwlTcSlBqt56pTVsSI09-pQOFpUxTwKblWhMPjuSzzv4GFfHnRpMKFKO27o1Dcft96Mg/s1600-h/28+April+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUc_jqoBJrq_0A3IBqOIldUJ9caTUWhuD7yOzfKMaqg90xpfsHsabcWixt8X_c2A34pKciAwdrjwlTcSlBqt56pTVsSI09-pQOFpUxTwKblWhMPjuSzzv4GFfHnRpMKFKO27o1Dcft96Mg/s400/28+April+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332660986967911410" border="0" /></a>Above is the manifold which looks after the balancing of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">hydronic</span> heating pipework. Put simply, the two white pipes on the left are the flow and return from the gas boiler and the red is the heated water going out to the slab and the blue is the heated water returning back.<br /><br />The heating system is designed as a closed loop, so the same water stays in the pipework getting heated at the boiler, then going through the red manifold and out to the slab, then back to the blue manifold <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">and</span> then on to the boiler to get heated and start again. Pretty simple really.Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-46499022325913402562009-04-15T13:20:00.007+10:002009-04-15T14:53:59.993+10:00Building the eco friendly way - Ground works and in-ground drainage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-tPUmlXd23Vv5pTphlkVVnejWzn9oNEgzXhMfVf5b-zarkzLl7C5eJgVXU5uGhLB94oE_DjgfHaiJETwhHJosuf385d0A24J8W4i-A1LxAS5y9vodOHG05PLeL-zKJoKil66GwBbTCVQ/s1600-h/27+Feb+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-tPUmlXd23Vv5pTphlkVVnejWzn9oNEgzXhMfVf5b-zarkzLl7C5eJgVXU5uGhLB94oE_DjgfHaiJETwhHJosuf385d0A24J8W4i-A1LxAS5y9vodOHG05PLeL-zKJoKil66GwBbTCVQ/s400/27+Feb+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324754380801707234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the key requirements for the project was to provide universal access for the clients. This is basically ensuring that as they grow older, they can still get about easily in their house. Keeping the main floor of the house at the one level is key to </span><span style="font-family: arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">achieving</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> this. So as you can see above, there has been some minor excavation and filling on site to create a level platform which will become the ground floor and main living area of the house.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The ground floor of the house will be a concrete slab on ground. The main reason behind this was that a concrete floor has excellent thermal mass. To explain thermal mass in simple terms, the concrete slab will be left exposed so that in winter it can absorb the suns heat and become a source of 'free' heating. In summer the reverse occurs, by keeping the slab shaded from the sun, it will become a source of 'free' cooling.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1Wt_cTsL0ZbFV1maCX-53_uhca_byhgdeuyVkgyVPNgWMHlAjEj9355iM6PJ2Vsp-03bfYjxFfcTwU5K9W5fvqyairNe-TXB74umhIGGfenvQwXch0ilhwa2skBeZErmeEonG_V9o7rG/s1600-h/20+March+025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 532px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1Wt_cTsL0ZbFV1maCX-53_uhca_byhgdeuyVkgyVPNgWMHlAjEj9355iM6PJ2Vsp-03bfYjxFfcTwU5K9W5fvqyairNe-TXB74umhIGGfenvQwXch0ilhwa2skBeZErmeEonG_V9o7rG/s400/20+March+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324753645584299186" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the key features of the house is the water saving and re-using strategies. As well as being self reliant for all potable water, the house also incorporates a grey water recycling and re-use system. Grey water is collected from all </span><span style="font-family: arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hand basins</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, showers, floor wastes and the washing machine and recycled through an OASIS grey water recycling system. The recycled water is then re-used for flushing toilets, in the washing machine and for watering the garden. In the case of the washing machine, the same volume of water will be in a </span><span style="font-family: arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">perpetual</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> cycle of use and re-use.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">For a grey water recycling system to work however, the grey water needs to be separate from the black water. Put simply, black water is water from your toilet and kitchen sink and grey water comes from all of the other sources. So to keep these separate, two separate drainage systems needs to be installed, one to direct the black water to the sewer and the other to direct the grey water for recycling.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In the image above of the </span><span style="font-family: arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">en suite</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, in the foreground is the waste pipework for the toilet which is </span><span style="font-family: arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">being</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> directed to the right to the sewer. In the back ground is the grey water pipework which is picking up the floor waste and hand basin in the middle of the image and the shower at the top of the image. The pipework then continues off to the left at the top of the image to the grey water recycling system. Simple really!</span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-37379736158000162972009-03-23T08:54:00.005+11:002009-03-23T12:51:57.168+11:00Building the eco friendly way - Recent press<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitL67HDqIuW1LJOVxR8DQDGlMP-NoMsvRDbPVoJEhTqxnd60RcF7yLSLU_zD7cmlKuuhVy0UbG3TJ0U_RkCHjNPkWKZBl3dFgmvl8wr3qMo3I1r4siZ_56LxNlT5kZ-jtoESCq1d8jPict/s1600-h/Manly+Daily+5+March+2009001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitL67HDqIuW1LJOVxR8DQDGlMP-NoMsvRDbPVoJEhTqxnd60RcF7yLSLU_zD7cmlKuuhVy0UbG3TJ0U_RkCHjNPkWKZBl3dFgmvl8wr3qMo3I1r4siZ_56LxNlT5kZ-jtoESCq1d8jPict/s400/Manly+Daily+5+March+2009001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316192675198101874" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We were very please to receive some recent press about our green building project at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Collaroy</span> in the local Manly Daily.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We obtained Housing Industry Association (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">HIA</span>) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Greensmart</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">accreditation</span> for the project and it appears that it is the only <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">accredited</span> house on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">HIA</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Greensmart</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">accreditation</span> recognises houses that are going well beyond <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">mandatory</span> energy and water efficiency measures, such as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">BASIX</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">NSW</span>, and are seeking best <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">practice</span>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We are driven towards best practice in Sustainable building and are very proud to be pioneering the way on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Northern</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Beaches</span> of Sydney.</span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-59435417187807446042009-03-21T15:16:00.005+11:002009-03-21T15:53:26.252+11:00Building the eco friendly way - Demolition complete<span style="font-family:arial;">Demolition, or should I say '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">de</span>-construction', of the existing house was completed recently. All materials salvaged from the building were segregated into like materials for easy recycling, or for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">un-recyclable</span> materials, sent to landfill.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I believe that we managed to recycle around 60-70% of the materials from the old house. Not a bad effort considering that most house demolitions consist of 0% recycled!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The first image below shows in the foreground <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">un-recyclable</span> materials such as PVC, other plastics and some damaged timber which unfortunately had to go to landfill. In mid image is concrete and brickwork <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">stockpiled</span> for crushing and recycling, and in the background is a stockpile of green vegetation that will be sent for mulching and re-use in gardens.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmFWEZwa1esZvod-wxldXOf-9rXXEOnPt6u_14KIorZPCX7ykWSNOM-X9lM2uNa2frpO3si8yUIoxhygulmaCYBP5aWiiJN3mIE2_NFelwJ1mMgO525fpwOMTJbJksV63LN3Ci1snPBck/s1600-h/13+February+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmFWEZwa1esZvod-wxldXOf-9rXXEOnPt6u_14KIorZPCX7ykWSNOM-X9lM2uNa2frpO3si8yUIoxhygulmaCYBP5aWiiJN3mIE2_NFelwJ1mMgO525fpwOMTJbJksV63LN3Ci1snPBck/s400/13+February+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315492078576810130" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">A huge recycled success was the quantity of timber that we managed to reclaim from the old house. Below is just part of the timber that was salvaged. All this timber was sent to a recycling yard where it will be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">de</span>-nailed and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">on sold</span>.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2L9ONjAefLonBUWTBL6VZxHsZYEhcCs78aC1oZBp3hPnJBgfZ2zbh-1Af1Vjr7JrT5dQD4GpxSJhZPgY5B371_hVp-_Afk-Cn3T2UMtWAHJvbM_gV9aLflT9NtlcMQii2PXRU3SJtii6E/s1600-h/13+February+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2L9ONjAefLonBUWTBL6VZxHsZYEhcCs78aC1oZBp3hPnJBgfZ2zbh-1Af1Vjr7JrT5dQD4GpxSJhZPgY5B371_hVp-_Afk-Cn3T2UMtWAHJvbM_gV9aLflT9NtlcMQii2PXRU3SJtii6E/s400/13+February+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315493283525081874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I think that we have demonstrated how easily simple structures can be treated in a sustainable way through recycling. With the quantity of materials recycled, the cost to remove the house was no more than if it was all sent to landfill. The only trade off was the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">increased</span> duration required to '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">de</span>-construct' the house rather than demolish. I would put this at around another two weeks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Having just been through the process of '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">de</span>-constructing' a house it does raise the problem that when we build houses, we aren't building them to be easily pulled apart at the end of their life. This is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">definitely</span> something that the Construction Industry has to change in order to become more sustainable, I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">know</span> that we will start giving it greater <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">consideration</span> when we build. Green building isn't just about the building of things, it also needs to take into consideration the 'taking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">apart</span> of them' as well.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The next couple of weeks will have some excavation and ground works and then the in-ground plumbing and drainage will be laid. </span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-91542039462186698702009-01-28T21:30:00.009+11:002009-02-08T21:56:58.162+11:00Building the eco friendly way - Demolition progress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEX8mA3sF2i94Q1660VOKNtvpJflOgYn7XaoWUWMgixhvd0cFRVx_AYsK5XF5wKKkDqr6c6zbLJ1i7eROhzrEwDiMVgFqbXm5QOTG6H2ANFCzLcEDPKiV6gzRA4ICE2EsT3t6li7tRb-F0/s1600-h/18+Jan+09+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEX8mA3sF2i94Q1660VOKNtvpJflOgYn7XaoWUWMgixhvd0cFRVx_AYsK5XF5wKKkDqr6c6zbLJ1i7eROhzrEwDiMVgFqbXm5QOTG6H2ANFCzLcEDPKiV6gzRA4ICE2EsT3t6li7tRb-F0/s400/18+Jan+09+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296291676531813890" border="0" /></a>As you can see from the photos above and below, demolition work has commenced. Progress is slower than would normally occur for a typical house demolition due to the time and care being <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">taken</span> to 'pull the house apart' piece by piece.<br /><br />House demolition <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">contractors</span> typically take no more than a week to bring in a large machine, flatten the house and then ship everything out to landfill. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Every time</span> I see it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">happen</span> it makes me fume. What a total loss and waste of tonnes of good construction materials and what environmental negligence, sending a house to landfill purely because people can't look past the way they have always done it. This sort of wastefulness wouldn't happen in a developing country.<br /><br />As we explained earlier, green building isn't just about the building, it is about the entire process of creating a new house. When we started demolition, the key was to reduce the amount of materials that would go to landfill.<br />Generally, I am happy with what materials we look like being able to recycle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vV7Pxja1cgdeCTTD7fcvsE0b5TM5Qq_wGtzFOfkvq0Bp3xzV0acosabibMCj_al8sn0QStaEvMxu3WvPn5Mlnb58zvJb93omAyb7Iy_qbzTS1WfLHdOTanUfEc_VjZ1UMlcouCRPuicW/s1600-h/18+jan+09+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vV7Pxja1cgdeCTTD7fcvsE0b5TM5Qq_wGtzFOfkvq0Bp3xzV0acosabibMCj_al8sn0QStaEvMxu3WvPn5Mlnb58zvJb93omAyb7Iy_qbzTS1WfLHdOTanUfEc_VjZ1UMlcouCRPuicW/s400/18+jan+09+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296293985804040402" border="0" /></a>The images above and below show the inside of the house with the walls and ceiling partly stripped of the plaster lining. All of the wall, floor and roof framing timbers are in very good condition and will <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">definitely</span> be able to be recycled, great news.<br /><br />With no recycling facility available for used plaster lining it looks like it will unfortunately be sent to landfill.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FxIh_82llV8W6YXcm8jbMZswZPDkwbyf_wnRer3YfnxQvsXPZORrTQWcf_UvEftrjS_Mlvr9swwl3x-y4s_Ahygl2HkXSs_w6xfzAsbgtMnb43g48pSwQ36x70e6runM3bmwyuWfR-sI/s1600-h/18+jan+09+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FxIh_82llV8W6YXcm8jbMZswZPDkwbyf_wnRer3YfnxQvsXPZORrTQWcf_UvEftrjS_Mlvr9swwl3x-y4s_Ahygl2HkXSs_w6xfzAsbgtMnb43g48pSwQ36x70e6runM3bmwyuWfR-sI/s400/18+jan+09+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296292779721682818" border="0" /></a>All of the windows and doors will be salvaged and sent for recycling along with several bathroom and kitchen fixtures and fittings.<br /><br />Over the next week or so the brickwork should start to come down and be sent for recycling along with the concrete footings.Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-6688036337044993232009-01-19T21:41:00.016+11:002009-01-21T10:12:29.408+11:00Building the eco friendly way - Live sustainable house case study begins<span style="font-family:arial;">Since we blogged a little while ago about our new sustainable house project in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Collaroy</span></span> Sydney, we have had a number of people ask us for more information about what sort of green initiatives we will use and how are we going to go about it.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">So we had a bit of a think about the best way to help give people information and came to the conclusion that we would use the house as a live sustainable building case study to demonstrate to people how to go about building an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">eco</span></span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">friendly</span>, sustainable house.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />So where do we begin?.....we have given you a bit of an outline about the project in an earlier blog post and more details and information will come out as the build <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">progresses</span>.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />The new house is being built on a site currently occupied by an existing house, see below. The house was unusable due to it's location on the site and overall condition, so it had to go. So how does one get rid of an old, unwanted house in the most <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">eco</span></span>-friendly way?<br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXRPBm1P-rq4f_t3r3vKoodtUZifVDRsgdB_jsiFJNk7Ex1QBTqnqxSYPk2fSCY022uhvMd-hGl7Dlaa5U95Wrp1hRajVB9pEB0t5aFQv9rdhnHPfG4bcdsK0MikGryG0Ov8svF0pKwlk/s1600-h/collaroy+existing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXRPBm1P-rq4f_t3r3vKoodtUZifVDRsgdB_jsiFJNk7Ex1QBTqnqxSYPk2fSCY022uhvMd-hGl7Dlaa5U95Wrp1hRajVB9pEB0t5aFQv9rdhnHPfG4bcdsK0MikGryG0Ov8svF0pKwlk/s400/collaroy+existing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293307282001464098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >YOU RECYCLE IT!!!!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">So that is what we intend to do. Having made a thorough assessment of what materials can be salvaged from the existing house we have come to the following conclusions:</span> <ul style="font-family: arial;"><li>The bricks and concrete can be sent to a crushing plant to be recycled as road base for road and pavement construction<br /></li></ul><ul style="font-family: arial;"><li>The timber wall, roof and floor framing can be sent to a second hand building materials yard for future re-sale<br /></li></ul><ul style="font-family: arial;"><li>The windows can be sent to a second hand building materials yard for future re-sale</li></ul><ul style="font-family: arial;"><li>The bathroom and kitchen fixtures and fittings can be sent to a second hand building materials yard for future re-sale</li></ul><span style="font-family:arial;">It looks like the only materials that we will need to send to landfill will be those that have to be by law, such as the asbestos roof sheeting, and those for which there is no industry re-sale or recycling system in place, such as used plasterboard wall and ceiling lining.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Recycling the house will <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">definitely</span> be a labour intensive exercise. This is probably the reason why the majority of houses that are demolished are knocked flat by a large excavator and sent straight to landfill, it is quick and easy.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />So taking the most sustainable approach to the demolition of the existing house will have an effect on the timeline for the project, but in our opinion if we can actually <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" style="font-family:arial;">manage</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> to recycle the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" style="font-family:arial;">materials</span> mentioned above , then it will have been <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" style="font-family:arial;">worth</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> it.</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"> The less building waste that goes to landfill, the better.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Demolition starts in a few days, sign up for regular updates and to follow how things progress...</span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-75239588072090646312008-12-08T21:44:00.006+11:002009-01-20T21:00:16.493+11:00your abode starts new sustainable house construction in Sydney<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxU8hOwdPHdWn5diL4CmOE_ioxc8LyLbICVFhM7NPO1JKXDi8lJPNLyvTm6Uzn27FI3OjUnaBfT7ipWqyf70n2YHGjed_Vsb8PraMrAL2_VB-3qVmKIIRaJ7JXu0TkLRyhIb7CYoKXtzu/s1600-h/lantana.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxU8hOwdPHdWn5diL4CmOE_ioxc8LyLbICVFhM7NPO1JKXDi8lJPNLyvTm6Uzn27FI3OjUnaBfT7ipWqyf70n2YHGjed_Vsb8PraMrAL2_VB-3qVmKIIRaJ7JXu0TkLRyhIb7CYoKXtzu/s400/lantana.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277368811238839682" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />Here is an image of our new sustainable house project in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Collaroy</span>, Sydney which we will commence building in early 2009. Green building is what we are about and this house typifies <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">everything</span> about our approach to sustainable houses.<br />The house will be very <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">eco</span>-friendly both in its design and construction. Water and energy consumption for the house will be very low due to the house:<br /><ol><li>being totally self sufficient for potable water. All water for drinking, cooking and showering will be collected on site and stored in rainwater tanks for re-use in the house<br /></li><li>all grey water from showers, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hand basins</span> and the washing machine will be recycled <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">through</span> a grey water treatment system and re-used for flushing toilets and washing clothes in the washing machine.<br /></li><li>not having any air conditioning because of the excellent breeze ways that provide for summer cooling</li><li>having high thermal mass in both the walls and exposed concrete slab for winter warming and summer cooling<br /></li><li>using an in slab gas <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">hydronic</span> heating system for winter heating</li><li>using low-e thermal glass in all of the windows to reduce heat loss in winter and prevent heat gain in summer</li><li>having good eaves and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">sun shading</span> to keep it cool in summer</li><li>being designed with good orientation and zoning of rooms</li></ol></span><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" > But we haven't only considered water and energy efficiency. Occupant comfort and materials <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">sustainability</span> are also high priority:<br /></span></span><ol><li><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" > all internal paints and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">cabinetry</span> will use low <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">VOC</span> products. </span></span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >recycled Australian Hardwood will be used for the stair construction and for the skirting board and architraves around windows and doors</span></span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >any waste created during construction will be separated into differing materials and recycled</span></span></li></ol><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >This is a very exciting project for both us and our clients and we will post progress photos and updates as we move through construction.</span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-48582869617600936842008-11-09T14:27:00.002+11:002008-11-09T14:37:57.895+11:00PV panel feed in tariffs for NSW<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyeciDA4hYlCQb65cDBe2CwqEWmgMrCs4zSWVP4vsKzfm2YHPWA93zseVX8Cj0fRGpLN21IGXn09L2ZZ1S0sHniTCydEMaXay9_O2xZebHkBrypZI4aT0eu4N-y3kipAek1DSfufO664p/s1600-h/PV_panel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyeciDA4hYlCQb65cDBe2CwqEWmgMrCs4zSWVP4vsKzfm2YHPWA93zseVX8Cj0fRGpLN21IGXn09L2ZZ1S0sHniTCydEMaXay9_O2xZebHkBrypZI4aT0eu4N-y3kipAek1DSfufO664p/s400/PV_panel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266494850457571554" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Carmel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tebbutt</span>, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NSW</span> Government <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Environment</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Minister</span>, has given a pledge to <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/well-go-solo-on-solar-tebbutt/2008/11/07/1225561135958.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">introduce</span></a> feed in tariffs for solar panels in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">NSW</span>. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Many other states in Australia have had feed in tariffs for some time, notably South <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Australia</span>, which this year started <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">paying</span> people double the market rate for feeding power back into the grid.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Apparently the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">NSW</span> Government has grown tired of waiting for a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">National</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">approach</span> driven by the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Federal</span> Government, so they have decided to 'go it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">alone</span>'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Great news for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">those</span> with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">panels</span> and possibly just the incentive necessary for many to consider installing panels.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">No word on when it will come into play or how it will operate, but first steps are good steps.</span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-85800688981563335052008-09-30T17:37:00.010+10:002008-09-30T18:13:26.720+10:00The Pope goes green<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2msOkv5jvyYiuwX7p78oRTi2tE2y0jokmxluIBy4z0VXEAz4V7pRhbv4J3akNHW37D6i278aDKVxCJ8r5xQyDe21-H6hbhebV4v4qnrqJF79jqmGjxHNadMdSm1tulteDOw0y8gTTzfaO/s1600-h/solar-panel-house46_799444c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2msOkv5jvyYiuwX7p78oRTi2tE2y0jokmxluIBy4z0VXEAz4V7pRhbv4J3akNHW37D6i278aDKVxCJ8r5xQyDe21-H6hbhebV4v4qnrqJF79jqmGjxHNadMdSm1tulteDOw0y8gTTzfaO/s400/solar-panel-house46_799444c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251715450415933650" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >The pope is on a drive to make the <a href="http://www.catholic.net/index.php?option=zenit&id=23498">Vatican <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Europe's</span></a> most energy efficient state. </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,MS Sans Serif;font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span class="destacado"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Around 2,000 square metres of the Paul VI hall are being covered with photovoltaic panels, while the another 3000 square metres will be used as a screen to increase the amount of captured energy.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">According to Mauro <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Villarini</span>, an engineer who works for Vatican State's technical services, " The objective of our project is, in sum, to create an energy process from which, with the production of clean energy and its intelligent <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">management</span>, it is possible to supply in the first place these properties and, in the future, also the means of transport, making mobility sustainable from the environmental point of view".<br />" The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">challenge</span> for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Vatican</span> City State to be the first in Europe to comply with European objectives, which foresee for 2020, obtaining at least 20% of consumed energy from renewable sources."<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Villarini</span> expects the solar panels to be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">functioning</span> by the end of this year.<br /></span></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,MS Sans Serif;font-size:78%;color:black;" ><span class="destacado"><br /></span></span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-1194067696776648082008-08-31T11:48:00.003+10:002008-08-31T13:27:16.933+10:00Grey water and your soil - does it cause any harm?<a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui1w5Qfzt53AuyZK73aQLunYHZPtT60mlXeBMldg5JIj8NqR1RlhBQs84VRxcMbuSKa8RSIyDfxb-J6JGfCPnp9ReT2J7cSvGgglx9Qa5TNwypCr3NdbHsa9x_ISiS76Dh5XoUB1GYgVm/s1600-h/grey-water-diverter.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui1w5Qfzt53AuyZK73aQLunYHZPtT60mlXeBMldg5JIj8NqR1RlhBQs84VRxcMbuSKa8RSIyDfxb-J6JGfCPnp9ReT2J7cSvGgglx9Qa5TNwypCr3NdbHsa9x_ISiS76Dh5XoUB1GYgVm/s400/grey-water-diverter.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240513688528046690" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There is a growing attitude in the water challenged times that we live in, that to waste any water is unacceptable. Out of this, simple grey water diversion systems such as the one above are becoming more prevalent and are being readily accepted by mainstream Australia.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">But when looking to install some form or grey water diversion system, serious consideration has to be given to the effect that the nutrient rich <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">water</span> will have on the ecology of the soil that you are diverting the water to. Last thing anyone looking to reduce their environmental impact wants to do is, by do good on one hand (reducing water usage) they find themselves doing bad (damaging soil ecology) as a result of it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">RMIT</span> Honours Student <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Farzarhd</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Namdarian</span> recently completed a thesis in conjunction with the Alternative Technology Association titled 'The impact of grey water irrigation systems on domestic soil environments'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Generally it is a fairly dry subject, but it does make for interesting reading. By researching and recoding data from 7 real life case studies in Melbourne, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Farzarhd</span> has been able to gather some useful information that should help anyone thinking about <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">installing</span> a grey water diversion system from causing any damage to their soil ecology.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Check it out <a href="http://www.ata.org.au/wp-content/projects/ata_soil_project_summary.pdf">here</a> at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ATA</span> website.</span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-27980193459041051152008-07-21T11:36:00.006+10:002008-07-21T12:08:31.719+10:00Recycling grey water - putting it to good use<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqdnGD3fCqSk1XROte-l78FjroVSDQVGrY62W_2m_y-N3RG2n2j3Cq3GQ4BWyecb8oa_9fqncdg3rMDrv-aDvtZeM_2efmiRT1OM_oHL8CjajIk5_5uNz1gwgdgBiHLImjW5iBzAwLeaA/s1600-h/OASISTanks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqdnGD3fCqSk1XROte-l78FjroVSDQVGrY62W_2m_y-N3RG2n2j3Cq3GQ4BWyecb8oa_9fqncdg3rMDrv-aDvtZeM_2efmiRT1OM_oHL8CjajIk5_5uNz1gwgdgBiHLImjW5iBzAwLeaA/s400/OASISTanks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225276348336200354" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Up until now, anyone wanting to recycle grey water has generally been forced to redirect the water underground in irrigation systems because of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">archaic</span> local health regulations. This forces us to continually water gardens when we have a shower, whether we want to or not.<br /><br />Although technically the water is being recycled, sending it underground without another option is hardly a good use for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Australia's</span> most precious resource. What everyone recycling grey water has wanted is to be able to re-use the water again, above the ground.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Enter the people at <a href="http://www.nubian.com.au/index.asp">Nubian Water Systems</a> and their OASIS GT600 (sounds like a sports car). The OASIS is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">fairly</span> compact piece of equipment that stores the incoming grey water, filters and treats it and then stores the treated water again for later re-use. The real beauty of the product is that it treats the water to a standard that is acceptable for most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Australian</span> States to allow it's use above ground <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ie</span>, it can be re-directed to toilet flushing or other non potable water uses.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTc0b93Vcvr0svJZTdMsQ3BLSCsi9SCYwnVeIJ8XLldv5wJr7Q-6U_xB5orytcjwqIwuFJ_-kO8W8j_gAZhMknZ5-OHvgaVC0XoflOdX8yk-jelPm-OVd_fPUEnhRLgIPU6jGM8JoLsYP/s1600-h/OASIS.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTc0b93Vcvr0svJZTdMsQ3BLSCsi9SCYwnVeIJ8XLldv5wJr7Q-6U_xB5orytcjwqIwuFJ_-kO8W8j_gAZhMknZ5-OHvgaVC0XoflOdX8yk-jelPm-OVd_fPUEnhRLgIPU6jGM8JoLsYP/s400/OASIS.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225276283288206194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The OASIS uses a three stage process to ensure that the water is treated to the required standard. The first stage is a filter screen that removes lint and other course materials, the second is a filter media that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">utilises</span> physical removal, adsorption and microbial induced aerobic degradation to remove <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">contaminants</span> and the final stage is UV disinfection.<br /><br />The unit is smaller enough to mount beside your house, requires very little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">maintenance</span> and very little power to run.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">This</span> is a piece of equipment well worth checking out.<br /></span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-54092076807818653112008-06-29T16:45:00.003+10:002008-06-29T18:00:13.013+10:00House energy star ratings - what do they mean?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvhCExz6o1lp3DvNwEKRPT2FZQ9odZMO1nVDPW6KJL1Vd1pKunDsZkkcI9Wc9oMZztwd6DihyphenhyphenxNfdoLBvn-joxLBVq77drG_dEZI4frIx7WMyNS1IxPzeCvqYqMbvsKzuSvg3su0k1Vnb/s1600-h/nathers-logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvhCExz6o1lp3DvNwEKRPT2FZQ9odZMO1nVDPW6KJL1Vd1pKunDsZkkcI9Wc9oMZztwd6DihyphenhyphenxNfdoLBvn-joxLBVq77drG_dEZI4frIx7WMyNS1IxPzeCvqYqMbvsKzuSvg3su0k1Vnb/s400/nathers-logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217191369994126738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Many of you may be aware that the energy efficiency of new houses is measured using a star rating system. This system has existed for a number of years and rates houses on their energy consumption from one star at the lowest level through to ten stars at the highest. But what do these rating mean in reality for you, the consumer, home purchaser or new home builder?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nathers.gov.au/about/pubs/starbands.pdf"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">NatHERS</span></a>, or The National Home Energy Rating System, has a great on line description of each star rating in each locality in Australia, and what it means in terms of anticipated energy consumption in a house for heating and cooling.<br /><br />For example in Sydney East, a 1 star rated house will use 230<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MJ</span>/m2 and a 10 star house will use 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">MJ</span>/m2. This equates to the 10 star house using only 3% of the energy of a 1 star house or being 38 times more energy efficient than the 1 star house.<br /><br />Something else to be aware of is that the ratings are not linear from the 1 star through to the 10 star. A 5 star rated house does not use half of the the energy of a 1 star house, 115<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">MJ</span>/m2, but only uses 50<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MJ</span>/m2.<br /><br />This is invaluable information for anyone trying to find their way through the maze of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">energy</span> stars and ratings.<br /></span></span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-23294910335116187032008-05-25T11:09:00.006+10:002008-05-25T13:02:11.758+10:00Now that you have collected your rainwater, what now?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4EmjVvZplpFutfl0xLE65h1-0C_E54r1UyHS-DM9hTSovyYQUrMoxexkfEF2kXmadS9nw3w69pgzsz1XCMb22q9kh29BrNlk-PPzKG0SzHu9uk2wboJ22hJLFtYSAzEI8wNm-N84iRVH/s1600-h/onga.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4EmjVvZplpFutfl0xLE65h1-0C_E54r1UyHS-DM9hTSovyYQUrMoxexkfEF2kXmadS9nw3w69pgzsz1XCMb22q9kh29BrNlk-PPzKG0SzHu9uk2wboJ22hJLFtYSAzEI8wNm-N84iRVH/s400/onga.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204127356864724434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">You live in the city and have put a lot of money and effort into installing a rainwater harvesting system, now what are you going to do with the water? The answer is, whatever you can.<br /><br />One of the simplest a most effective uses for your collected rainwater is to use if for flushing your toilet. Toilets are responsible for using around 10% of the water used in your home, and depending on overall household water usage, this can be around 25 - 35 litres per day, or 9000 - 13000 litres per year.<br /><br />But, for the water to be connected to your toilet cistern you will need to have a back up system in case your water tank level gets too low. Products such as the <a href="http://www.davey.com.au/rainbank/index.html">Davey <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rainbank</span></a> and the <a href="http://www.ongawaterswitch.com.au/welcome"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Onga</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Waterswitch</span></a> are the answer.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j2N6xA1xwl-FF39VSuQ8fGHL2nu-ejFXOXlg-NT6By7bPCfm03Y-OqhzK8OO0GMknizSvrYQOajBkmiSPKAJ7ty5NiVnzVBW6BRv7sdce3rMBT5e6dN6Lpan48eS1escNZYzQyKReFRe/s1600-h/RainBank+w+HP45-05_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j2N6xA1xwl-FF39VSuQ8fGHL2nu-ejFXOXlg-NT6By7bPCfm03Y-OqhzK8OO0GMknizSvrYQOajBkmiSPKAJ7ty5NiVnzVBW6BRv7sdce3rMBT5e6dN6Lpan48eS1escNZYzQyKReFRe/s400/RainBank+w+HP45-05_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204128005404786146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Both products are connected to the pump which sends the water to your toilet cistern. When the water level in your tank gets too low, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Rainbank</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Waterswitch</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">sense</span> the low water level and divert the water supply source from your rainwater tank, to the mains water. After rainfall and your tank has filled again, either unit will <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">sense</span> that the water level in your tank has increased and will switch back to your water tank to supply the toilet cistern.<br /><br />This ensures that you will always have a water supply to fill your toilet cistern, but ensures that whenever possible, it will come for free from your rainwater <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">tank</span>.<br /></span></span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-45052777678450549212008-04-28T20:40:00.009+10:002008-04-28T21:14:35.972+10:00Recycling bathroom sink grey water with the AQUS system<a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklsBwh1jIN_1CkqqIspA4Ray-YqGMcUkFF1kZ3blpWBur42ZGxwdFhFp4hOiJAoR6FV3TY7rW99z5ibqy2JtFHIJZH9r8oF5Uvil7Vd60Vi2-icgaeP4YnsL2opXynQTRyrmR04YKL7OQ/s1600-h/Aqus_Toilet_System_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 371px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklsBwh1jIN_1CkqqIspA4Ray-YqGMcUkFF1kZ3blpWBur42ZGxwdFhFp4hOiJAoR6FV3TY7rW99z5ibqy2JtFHIJZH9r8oF5Uvil7Vd60Vi2-icgaeP4YnsL2opXynQTRyrmR04YKL7OQ/s400/Aqus_Toilet_System_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194247675156079538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >The <a href="http://www.watersavertech.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">AQUS</span> system by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Watersaver</span> Technologies</a> is </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >a fantastic example of green design and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ingenuity</span>.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Aqus</span> system catches the water from your vanity basin, filters and disinfects it, and stores it until the next time you need to flush your toilet. The system then sends to stored water to your toilet cistern reducing the amount of town water necessary to simply flush your toilet. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">It is designed to be easily retrofitted into existing fixtures. Gravity and a small electric pump transport the water from the 21 Litre holding tank installed under the sink to your toilet cistern. A valve in the toilet cistern prevents fresh water inflow as long as sufficient water is available in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Aqus</span> to do the job, when the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Aqus</span> runs low, the normal toilet valve for incoming water will serve the demand. </span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAm8opprLjncN8jYTW3wWsqFCp4P_Ij_dzJFuJvZRLSnYGA_Y18OW1GoEIO9iM7YSrCn1IKSmBR0o2kHyH0ExHE7Yj6iYoQn0FDiZmfSr5j3ATDth1r0XdooW6yQmLRxlQUn_WOFI3ciT/s1600-h/Aqus_Toilet_System_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAm8opprLjncN8jYTW3wWsqFCp4P_Ij_dzJFuJvZRLSnYGA_Y18OW1GoEIO9iM7YSrCn1IKSmBR0o2kHyH0ExHE7Yj6iYoQn0FDiZmfSr5j3ATDth1r0XdooW6yQmLRxlQUn_WOFI3ciT/s400/Aqus_Toilet_System_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194247602141635490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The system retails for about US$200, but unfortunately is only available in the US at the moment. Hopefully someone will look to import this to Australia because there is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">definite</span> market here for such a simple and inexpensive product.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Caroma</span> in Australia have made a toilet suite called the <a href="http://www.caroma.com.au/products/index_profile.html">Profile</a>, see below, which achieves a similar result. But in our opinion there are significant <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">psychological</span> hurdles to over come with their cistern and the perception that one is washing their hands 'in the toilet cistern'.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n0YbOGtI2D0KHlLYym22lTrIoV9Ca2as3mlRz0mPtaTzt7OIXl9kh_-twR1EWMt0RQYUdISk8qRX-5ubP7q65r3hJbuKrIIZTQPESHTPT3qcM-2Sz5P5C9J-VbG5wt6jjBKPxD264xSy/s1600-h/profile-toilet-large.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n0YbOGtI2D0KHlLYym22lTrIoV9Ca2as3mlRz0mPtaTzt7OIXl9kh_-twR1EWMt0RQYUdISk8qRX-5ubP7q65r3hJbuKrIIZTQPESHTPT3qcM-2Sz5P5C9J-VbG5wt6jjBKPxD264xSy/s400/profile-toilet-large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194251806914618306" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />In our opinion, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Aqus</span> is the way to go.<br /></span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-9185148023336977402008-03-11T14:15:00.004+11:002008-03-11T15:24:31.576+11:00Beware of manufacturers' claims to be green<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPefvWLHQ_8sYZ1LNnrPBdANBG-zK-nSU1eghUA31Sm5drfR0CwZYIlZOOYDU2NvUe5KiHV7_05H7fSbKPJ1SsWtUvGJe2eV8ZeY-wAbbnvNeIYrwrsuxBrWdx1ATpkpBoKEhtYT3jNd1M/s1600-h/batts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPefvWLHQ_8sYZ1LNnrPBdANBG-zK-nSU1eghUA31Sm5drfR0CwZYIlZOOYDU2NvUe5KiHV7_05H7fSbKPJ1SsWtUvGJe2eV8ZeY-wAbbnvNeIYrwrsuxBrWdx1ATpkpBoKEhtYT3jNd1M/s400/batts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176319054259590530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">More and more consumers have a growing awareness of the larger environmental issues and are looking to make product choices with this in mind. However, beware, because companies are now aware of this and are 'dressing up' their old products in new 'greener' clothes.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">'Greenwashing'</span>, as it known, is where a company markets a product squarely at the green consumer knowing that the claims it makes are untrue. This could be in the form of unsubstantiated '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">eco</span>' claims or using text and imagery to give the impression that the product is environmentally friendly when it is not.<br /><br />We recently came across an example of this is some advertising for insulation products that you would use in your home.<br /><br />The old Pink <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Batts</span>, that we used to see the Pink Panther advertising, have now been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">re branded</span> by the manufacturer, Insulation Solutions, under the umbrella of <span style="text-decoration: underline;">'</span><a href="http://www.insulationsolutions.com.au/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">eco</span> pink</a>' along with the rest of their insulation products.<br /><br />Whilst what insulation does can't be disputed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ie</span>, makes your home more energy efficient, reduces your energy usage and therefore your greenhouse gas <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">emissions</span>.<br /><br />In our opinion the marketing of these products has the definite potential to mislead consumers into thinking that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">batts</span> themselves and the manufacture of them is environmentally friendly.<br /><br />To be fair to Insulation Solutions, they do claim that their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">batts</span> are made from 70% recycled glass, but to create a marketing campaign with such a 'green' tinge, there needs to be more substance to their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">eco</span> claims, such as:<br /></span><ul style="font-family: arial;"><li>How are they manufactured?</li><li>What has Insulation Solutions done to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions?<br /></li><li>What sort of waste is produced and what is done with it?</li><li>What is done with the waste left over after the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">batts</span> are installed?</li></ul><span style="font-family: arial;">We will always advocate people installing insulation in the roof, walls and floors of their homes, however it is important to look closely at the products on offer and buy the best product for your circumstance, which may not necessarily be the one that looks the 'greenest'.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735979526735450502.post-84955221060082547192008-02-17T21:26:00.003+11:002008-02-18T08:54:08.185+11:00Cleaning up your collected rainwater<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9d7Sv5FBgBJ8juGitbKayPmWHdwe8JNzsA3BBV8rW5a2nww94jzXB11uYuMPl9THeC13ckEwZR7mnn3uUrCCAFkdyiqwHI-4CGe1XmRP6GqVZ1qOid11qDl3VK-l4-ETMdfC4vKm-04Y/s1600-h/rain_filter_triple_action_10_and_20inch.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9d7Sv5FBgBJ8juGitbKayPmWHdwe8JNzsA3BBV8rW5a2nww94jzXB11uYuMPl9THeC13ckEwZR7mnn3uUrCCAFkdyiqwHI-4CGe1XmRP6GqVZ1qOid11qDl3VK-l4-ETMdfC4vKm-04Y/s400/rain_filter_triple_action_10_and_20inch.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167894292745380194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">Anyone who is recycling their rainwater for use in their washing machines and toilets will be aware of the problems that can occur when the harvested rainwater contains sediment or is coloured with tanin from leaves. Your whites are no longer white when washed and your toilet bowl stains.<br />Re-using harvested rainwater in such ways has to be commended, but we sympathise with anyone who has encountered the problem. Simply because you have decided to live a more sustainable life shouldn't mean compromising.<br /><br />So what is the solution?. Install a filter between your water tank and the appliances and fixtures. Companies such as <a href="http://www.rainharvesting.com.au/triple_action_rain_filters.asp">Rain Harvesting</a> have simple and easy to use filter systems that remove sediment, colour and odour from the water.<br /><br />For consumers to want to 'buy' into living more sustainably, it can't compromise their life and has to be easy and convenient. Products such as these help people to do things the way they always have, whilst the sustainability just goes on in the back ground.<br /></span>Darryn Parkinson & Sharon Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941786419169541532noreply@blogger.com1