I'd expect that in SE QLD you'd be a good candidate for a ground coupled slab. As the ground will be cooler in summer than the air temperature, & warmer…

Yeah, I had heard there was legislation coming in banning electric HWS's. I think I'd also read some discussions about exempting HWS's connected to solar PV from this ban.
Though I'm…

Agree with other posters. Gas is becoming an expensive way to heat water, & it's not an environmentally friendly option. LPG is the most expensive option of all!
Heat pumps are…

Which way is north?
Orientation should be the #1 priority, when designing a new home. Getting the orientation right, with north facing living areas, will increase the comfort of the home…

Can't see it on the plans, so which way is north?
A home's orientation plays a huge part in making a house comfortable, & lowering energy bills. A north facing living…

Whirlpool's Green Tech forum is a good place to ask this question. Lots of very knowledgeable people there who are happy to help.
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum/143
So get 3 quotes…

Fück this mobile website sucks! Not for the first time the auto refresh had wiped my long-winded post.
So I'll just say, that I've seen quite a few similar builds here.…

So you want an energy efficient house, how about a sustainable house? A house that size won't be sustainable. Google "embodied energy". There will be a lot of energy used…

Don't quote me on it, but I've heard it's a bad idea to locate a TV above the fire. As the heat can damage the TV.

You'll probably get better advice concerning solar over at Whirlpool's Green Tech Forum,
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum/143
I think you get better bang for your buck with solar PV, than you…

+1000! Nice one arcadelt. Free & easy too.

Great strides have been made in heat pump technology (of which reverse cycle air conditioning is a type) over recent years. Many highly energy efficient (Passive Haus) houses in North…

I certainly wouldn't be installing gas heating. It's become more expensive to run than reverse cycle air conditioning, with costs only expected to climb higher. Unlike reverse cycle air con,…

Good point alexp79. Plus there's trench heaters, kinda like underfloor radiators.

Depends what you mean by 'best'. The best in terms of comfort. The best in terms of energy efficiency. The best in terms of value for money.
Yes, a well designed…

Hi OP, I was curious what sort of underfloor heating you'd be quoted for, as you have an interesting mix of requests, with radiators, & underfloor in the bathrooms &…

Hi its.just.sharon,
What direction does the block face? You're lucky, & have a nice wide frontage. This should mean that you should be able to build a week orientated house that…

Personally, I do think it does look overglazed. But even worse is the fact that these windows face S & W. The two worst aspects for windows. Western windows are…

Yep, as others have stated, Block B is the best, as it's north-to-rear. You'll have nice sunny living areas at the back of your home, & a sunny back yard.
Block…

Add sarking. Along with being a barrier against leaks, it's a radiant heat barrier & will improve your comfort in summer.
Builders are very happy to build to the minimum standards…

Usually more energy efficient than ducted systems. Extremely energy efficient heaters compared to other electric heat sources.

If you moved the stairs, upstairs it would be bathroom+stairs swapped for the study. Seems to be a similar sized swap, larger if you included the powder room.
Another option for…

Thinking about orientation, I'd investigate a couple ideas (not sure if it's better though). Swapping the laundry with the stairs (will there be a clothes line on the northern deck?).…

What climate are you in OP? You have an energy efficient home design, with living areas orientated north. This will encourage passive solar heating & cooling.
But to achieve this you…

Cool. If the builder gets it right I'm sure you'll have a house which is much more comfortable, light & bright! Plus you'll have reduced bills for heating/cooling

Very good advice from Hillsbuilds.
The government website is a very, very good website. Start with the section, designing for your climate, getting the orientation right, & designing for…

The orientation of your plan is all wrong, as you'll learn from undercover architect & http://yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/orientation.
You want your living areas (& a large proportion of your…

I like your thinking Searching4 knowledge.

Yeah, I grew up in Frenchs Forest, but now spend 6 months of the year in Narrabeen. You're right, there's certainly a difference. Narrabeen certainly doesn't cool down as much…

I too am on the northern beaches, & have been wondering whether an ERV system is worth the added expense, or whether it would be overkill in our very pleasant…