by Jemma Pearson A new generation of clever houses is leaner, greener and surprisingly, more affordable than ever.

Well, not necessarily, and as power bills rise we are all being forced – if not by our eco-conscience then at least by our back pocket – to rethink how much energy we use just to live.

No longer about just being kind to the planet, the need for home owners to reduce energy consumption is now a fiscal necessity. Rising electricity bills are hitting where it really hurts and sticking a few solar cells on the roof is not always the answer. Forward-thinking architects, builders and new-home buyers are calling for a reassessment of the way we design new homes.

What we see in the hinterland is people want room for vegie gardens, fruit trees, and for chooks. Jenny Tatton

Better use of materials and more compact homes save money and reduce the carbon footprint in the planning and building stages. Good orientation and clever design saves on heating and cooling bills and more passive and efficient homes will inevitably become more attractive for buyers when a home owner decides to sell.

Minyama-based Thompson Sustainable Homes is at the forefront of providing sustainable, affordable homes to Sunshine Coast buyers. One of the company’s designs, the Melaleuca, has an incredible BERS (Building Energy Rating Scheme) 10-star energy-efficiency rating. The company estimates that the home will offer a 50 per cent decrease on energy costs, and it is all done with clever design and carefully selected products. “It gets the 10-star rating without PV units,” says Thompson Building Group director Brad Thompson. “PV units [solar panels] make them better but you don’t need them with this house. You don’t need to spend the money.”

So how does Thompson create an affordable house that is cheaper to run than conventional homes? For a start, the buildings are cleverly oriented to be cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Heat absorption is minimised through insulation and rooms are carefully located. Clever placement of windows draws in plenty of natural light while the designs allow for maximum cross-ventilation. During construction, the carbon footprint is reduced through effective management of resources and non-toxic materials are used in each build.

Brad is creating houses that are highly energy-efficient by simply using natural breezes. The homes are contemporary and affordable, but also comfortable and save the occupants money on electricity bills as there is no need for expensive air-conditioning units. It’s an attractive option for many home buyers.

So who buys a Thompson sustainable house? “First-home buyers are back in the market,” Brad says. “People downsizing and, of course, investors.” Investors love these homes, says Brad, because a house that is cheap to run is attractive to tenants.

Buyer and seller alike, everyone wants to feel as though they’re doing something to help the planet. And everyone likes to save a dollar. Bevan Horsnell

Brad adds that most houses today achieve a three-star rating or thereabouts. New homes and major renovations must achieve up to a six-star rating to comply with the latest building codes, and for those undertaking a reno, making the jump up those extra stars often requires many expensive additions. No wonder many buyers are attracted to the 10-star Thompson home.

It makes sense to live greener, but do buyers see it that way? Bevan Horsnell is the principal of Belle Property Buderim. He says that while a home’s sustainability features may not necessarily be what closes a deal, they do help attract potential buyers. As a result, vendors whose homes boast extra green credentials may see a payoff in terms of resale value.

“I don’t know that they’ll make a profit out of it, but what they will do is broaden the appeal,” says Bevan. “Buyer and seller alike, everyone wants to feel as though they’re doing something to help the planet. And everyone likes to save a dollar. So if a house goes well on the sustainability declaration, it just broadens the appeal of that property.”

Hinterland buyers have their own view on these things, says Jenny Tatton from Montville Real Estate. “I think people will appreciate solar panels on the roof or solar hot water, but it still doesn’t seem to be in people’s psyche to be committed in the long-term future,” she says, adding that in terms of sustainability, the focus seems to be on self-sufficiency rather than on saving energy.

“What we do see a lot of up here in the hinterland is people who want room for vegie gardens or fruit trees, and for chooks, that sort of thing. We’re all on land water and so you’re not held to utilities, so with acreage we probably see more of that side of things.”

What Jenny’s buyers do want, though, is clever orientation. “Buyers are more aware and will come to you saying, ‘I want a house that faces north’,” Jenny says. “We’ve got quite a few places that you do find more difficult to sell, especially in winter, because whoever built them 20 years ago had no idea of aspect, and the people looking now are aware of it.”

Bevan says a lot of his clients are embracing solar power because of the savings this form of energy generation offers on electricity bills. He also believes the cost of water is directly linked to the number of rainwater tanks that are popping up around the Coast.

“In newer estates rainwater tanks are par for the course – if you build a house there you have to put one in. But people are also installing them in older homes. So they are most definitely looking at what will save them money, and again this can help to attract potential buyers.”

While saving the planet is important for today’s vendors, saving money is even more so.

Sustainable housing features:

Good solar orientation
Rainwater tanks plumbed to the toilet and garden
Greywater systems
Insulation and cross-ventilation
Glazing and external shading
Energy-efficient lighting
Ceiling fans
Efficient showerheads, toilets and taps

Designing lives

Want a well-designed home? How about a green building? Or just an affordable one?

Nowadays the lines are blurred and a well-designed, sustainable building is often more affordable to buy and certainly cheaper to run than a home that is not as well designed. Owned by the Australian Institute of Architects, Archicentre offers building design and renovation advice, and the organisation endorses this view.
The experts at Archicentre also believe more home builders will be employing the services of an architect to create affordable green homes. The organisation says that the Federal Government’s push for a carbon price is just the beginning of a new trend that will “see the future cost of energy become an accelerating market force driving a new generation of green homes and renovations throughout Australia”.
The Queensland state manager of Archicentre, Ian Agnew, says, “Good environmental design that starts at the planning stage is the foundation of creating a home which is comfortable to live in and protects home owners against increasing energy and water costs.”
Better use of materials in the construction of a home, improved orientation and cutting down on air-conditioners and heaters will all reduce energy costs, and, says Ian, improve property value.
“We also expect to see an increasing return to the use of the traditional eave in future housing design,” he adds. “Historically, the eave or verandah was a fundamental part of Australian homes, however, in the last decade its removal for the sake of fashion and cost has seen the building of thousands of homes poorly equipped to cope with climate change demands such as increasing temperatures and storms.”