Glass and windows Triple glaze windows Triple glazed windows
consist of three sheets of glass, each separated by an air gap. The
air gaps provides insulating layers between the glass, which slow
down heat loss, keep in cool air in summer and keep hot air out,
they also reduce the opportunity for condensation to form. Using
the right type of window frame is also important as heat and cool
can escape through frames as well as windows. Normal window frames
are generally manufactured from low conductivity materials, like
from softwood, hardwood, glass fibre and composites. Insulated
hollow frames can further reduce heat loss and improve comfort. Low
Emissivity Glass (Low-E Glass) The windows are coated with a very
thin layer of metallic coating on one surface. To protect it from
wear, the coated surface is placed on the outer face of the inner
pane in a triple glazing layer. The coating allows heat from the
sun to enter the house but significantly reduces heat loss by
reflecting radiant heat back into the house. Insulated hollow
frames Triple panes of glass Air gaps between glass Low E glass
surface
Slide 3
blinds and shades Honeycomb cell shades Cellular Shades, also
known as Honeycomb Shades are made of a solid fabric that stacks
like an accordion. If you turn the shades sideways, they look like
a honeycomb. The air pockets make cellular blinds very energy
efficient. Honeycomb air pocket
Slide 4
Bricks I have chosen a new form of brick which is made by
pressurizing by-products of coal-power plants. While making cement
for concrete bricks spew's thousands of pounds of poisonous mercury
into the air each year, this eco-friendly brick, uses a coal-power
plants waste product - fly ash - which otherwise would fester in a
landfill. The brick solidifies under pressure and not extreme heat,
so manufacturing them saves energy and reduces costs by at least 20
percent, and with the bricks being moulded, theyre smoother and
more uniform, this also reduces bricklaying time as well as
labour.
Slide 5
Solar panels The roof of the house is lined with Solar
photovoltaic panels, or solar pv for short, this is a technology
which converts daylight into electrical power. It uses energy from
the sun to create electricity which transfers into the house s
electrical grid, this solar electricity will then operate
electrical appliances and lighting. These solar panels do not rely
on sunlight but daylight, which means they are capable of
generating electricity on a cloudy day. Using solar panels saves
money and energy because you are not paying for all your
electricity and it means less coal is burned.
Slide 6
Solar roof tiles Solar tiles operate on the same principle as
solar pv panels.
Slide 7
Water Harvesting rainwater for drinking and household usage The
house has a pitched roof which provides a suitable rainwater
catchment area and the existing rainwater pipes and gutters will
act as the harvesting system. It is preferable to collect the
rainwater that falls onto a house roof. From the roof the water
runs through the gutters and underground into an underground water
storage tank, the water tank is stored underground because lower
light and temperature levels will reduce bacteria growth. Simple
filtration without using chemicals or disinfectants is sufficient
to allow rainwater to be used for flushing toilets and filling up
washing machines. Collected rainwater can be used for drinking as
there is a UV sterilisation unit; the unit is switched on
permanently and uses c. 40 watts. This unit will need two filters
such as a sand filter, before the water reaches it. There is a
back-up mains supply that will operate automatically when the
underground storage tank runs low.
Slide 8
Water tank
Slide 9
Grey water The grey water collected from the washbasin,
showers, bath and dishwasher is pumped into a tank by an internal
waste water drainage system. The water is then treated with a
mixture of physical treatment( removing solid debris) and
biological treatment( using chemicals) known as bio-mechanical
treatment. Bio-mechanical treatment works by filtering solid debris
from the tank and then using bacteria to remove organic material
(contamination) from wastewater. Once this process is complete the
water is fine to use on the garden. Although the bio-mechanical
method is expensive, it uses less chemicals, which is better for
the environment and the water can be kept in the tank for a longer
amount of time. Grey water tank
Slide 10
sewage A Bio-Septic tank The Bio-Septic process begins when all
wastewater from the toilets and bathroom drains into the septic
tank. The solid waste settles in the septic tank and naturally
occurring anaerobic bacteria slowly break it down. The wastewater
overflows into the aeration tank where air is diffused into two
separate aeration chambers to create aerobic bacteria. These quick
acting bacteria reduce the sewage to carbon dioxide and water.
Because aerobic bacteria breathe oxygen there is no odour. Last, a
small amount of chlorine is added to kill any pathogens that have
survived the aeration process. The treated water is then suitable
to irrigate the garden and any leftover sludge or grime is slowly
eaten away by bacteria. Using a bio-septic tank prevents waste from
contaminating rivers and oceans, which is good for the marine life
and for us.
Slide 11
Garden plants: The Garden consists of plants and trees which
need very little water to grow. I have also used artificial grass
made from recycled products and plastics, so there is no need for
watering. All the trees and plants that have been chosen are found
in Australia and are attractive as well as fairly
self-sufficient.
Slide 12
Insulation The walls floors and ceiling are insulated with a
product called Cellulose Fibre, Cellulose is made from old
newspapers and other waste paper. How is it made? Cellulose Fibre
is made using recycled shredded paper, treated with borax for
flammability and smoulder resistance. The borax also makes the
insulation unattractive to vermin and resistant to insects, fungus
and dry rot. Recycled cellulose insulation has a low embodied
energy compared to rock wool and glass wool insulation and, when
removed from a building, it may be used again or disposed of safely
without creating toxic waste. Cellulose does not cause skin
irritations and the thermal performance of cellulose insulation
compares favourably to other types of insulation. These results are
similar to those for glass wool or rock wool.
Slide 13
Water and energy saving appliances Water saving shower heads:
Satin jet Genesis Wall Shower on Upswept Arm Satin jet uses Twin-
jet technology and has been internationally awarded for its unique
advancement in the delivery of less water while still feeling
generous in its water pressure and spray. This shower head only
uses between 7.5 and 9 L of water per minute. Ordinary full-flow
showers use 22L per minute. Dual flush toilet: 4 star rating, can
save up to 25,000ltrs of water a year Water saving dishwasher: the
house is installed with a 5 star energy and water saving
dishwasher. Water saving taps: water conserving taps that use
ceramic disc (CD) cartridge technology that are resistant to
scratches and do not leak like ordinary washered taps.
Slide 14
Lighting The house is installed with Energy efficient light
bulbs( Compact Fluorescent lamps) or CFL for short. CFLs use less
power to provide the same amount of light as an incandescent lamp,
reducing energy consumption and the environmental effects from
power generation. CFLs last up to 6-15 times longer than
incandescent light bulbs and 75% less energy in their
lifespan.
Slide 15
Heating and Cooling The heating and cooling is controlled by a
heat pump system. Heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative
to furnaces and air conditioners. Like a refrigerator, heat pumps
use electricity to move heat from a cool space into a warm space,
making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. During the
heating season, heat pumps move heat from the cool outdoors into
your warm house; during the cooling season, heat pumps move heat
from your cool house into the warm outdoors. Because they move heat
rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide up to 4 times the
amount of energy they consume. The most common type of heat pump is
the air-source heat pump, which transfers heat between your house
and the outside air. A heat pump can trim the amount of electricity
you use for heating by as much as 30%40%. High-efficiency heat
pumps also dehumidify better than standard central air
conditioners, resulting in less energy usage and more cooling
comfort in summer months.