SUSTAINABLE HOMES

Why sustainable design makes plain good sense

Sustainable living begins with a clever design that fits you, your lifestyle, your site and the climate in which you live.

Why design and build an energy efficient home?

Brad McKenzie

  • Create a healthier, more comfortable and enjoyable home.

  • Save on energy costs.

  • Reduce the strain on both renewable and non-renewable resources.

  • Be proud to have a home that has greatly reduced its impact on the environment.

At FutureBuild we believe every homes is different so there is no such thing as one size fits all. So we take each new home on it’s merits when it comes to sustainable design. Energy efficient features that can be utilised in a new home can include:

  • Orientation – Maximum north solar access to the main living areas.

  • Passive cooling – Floor plan and window placement has been designed for maximum air flow to reduce the need for artificial cooling systems.

  • Glazing – The design and placement of glazed windows and doors has been chosen for maximum north and north east solar gains. Minimal south and west windows have been used. Efficient glazing has been used (double glazing or performance glass).

  • Insulation – Minimum of R 2.0 for walls and R 4.0 for ceilings.

  • Water saving fixtures have been used for taps and toilets.

  • Water tank installed to harness stormwater to reuse in or around your home.

  • Recessive external colours used to reduce heat absorption in summer.

  • Use of thermal mass in main living areas or areas where north – north east glazing is prominent.

  • Ceiling fans installed to promote airflow throughout the house.

  • Draft proofing – External windows and doors have good quality draft seals installed around them.

  • Shading – Eave overhang or shading devices designed to prevent access of hot summer sun into your home.

  • Design – Your home needs to be designed so as it suits your climate and performs efficiently over all seasons.

Brad McKenzie
Brad McKenzie
Brad McKenzie

Energy Efficiency Considerations

For a home to be energy efficient it needs to have all the right elements of design. A home that has been designed energy efficiently, will have considered the following things:

Brad McKenzie

  • Orientation and location of the home on the block

  • Layout

  • Insulation

  • Glazing – windows, doors, skylights and other glazed surfaces

  • Shading

  • Landscaping

  • Ventilation and draft proofing

  • Thermal Mass

  • Universal Design

Call us today to start
discussing your new home Future Build