ENERGY SMART

HOUSE DESIGN

Designing your home for energy efficiency will help you live more comfortably and save money, and help you
save the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
An energy smart home takes advantage of the suns free warmth and light, with simple design features to
keep it warm and comfortable in winter, and cool in summer.
If you are about to build a new home, this brochure explains the important features that will make your home
energy smart.

Choosing a block

Internal planning and

room placement

Blocks which have clear access to

the low-angled winter sun are best
(see figure 1).

Window placement and sizing

The size and position of windows should
be carefully planned according to the
direction they face, and the type of
building materials used in the home
(see figure 4).

Place living areas, such as the family

room, kitchen, lounge and dining room
to the north of your home.

Building materials

If there is insufficient space for all of

them, at least place day living areas
to the north.

Concrete floors and masonry walls

(such as cavity brick or feature brick
walls) can stabilise temperatures,
particularly in rooms with north-facing
windows (see figure 2).

Cross ventilation from cooling summer

breezes can be achieved by well positioned
openable windows. Double hung, casement
or sliding windows are more effective than
awning units.

Create zones by grouping rooms

with similar uses together, separated
by doorways (see figure 3).

Lightweight materials such as timber or

plasterboard, used internally will allow
rooms to heat up quickly and to cool down
quicklythis is useful for rooms which
require occasional heating.

Group together rooms that use hot water,

to ensure more efficient use of your hot
water system.
Avoid large open plan living areas or high
ceilings as these can lead to high heating
costs. Maximum ceiling height should be
2.7 metres.

Except for cavity masonry walls, the

influence of external building materials
on comfort is limited if adequate
insulation is in place.

summer
winter midday shadow

heat is absorbed
by the slab during
the day

WEST

summer
sun

winter

winter
sun

NORTH

SOUTH

summer midday shadow

NORTH

EAST

Figure 1

Figure 2

bedrooms

bathrooms/
laundry

kitchen/family
daytime living zones
on the north

keep south windows

reasonably small

keep west windows

small with good
summer shading

doors between
living areas
20
doors between
living zones and
bedroom zones

30
formal living
garage/carport

Figure 3

keep east windows

reasonably small with
good summer shading

NORTH

Figure 4

if solar access is good,

use large north windows
with concrete slab floors

NORTH

Window protection
Winter protection
Heat losses can be cut by using:
double glazed windows, or

Air leakage and draught control

Seal unwanted air leaks and draughts and reduce your heating and cooling bills by up to 20%.
Prevent common sources of air leaks (see figure 5).

close fitting drapes or blinds that trap

a layer of insulating still air between
them and the glass when closed.
Pelmets are usually required.

vented
skylight

Windows lose ten times more heat in

winter compared to the same area of
insulated wall.

gaps between
walls or ceilings
and cornices
air vents

.
. .. . .
. .

Summer shading
External shading devices are a very
effective way of keeping your house cool.
North, east and west-facing windows
should be shaded from the sun by vertical
shading devices such as external blinds
or shutters.

vented
downlights
fixed air
conditioners
and heaters

gaps
around
doors
gaps between
and around
windows

construction
joints between
wall materials

gaps up chimney

gaps between walls

or floors and skirting boards

North-facing windows can also be

shaded by suitably designed eaves or
pergolas which provide access for the
winter sun, whilst providing shade from
the summer sun.

Insulation

exhaust
fans

gaps between
floorboards

gaps where pipes

penetrate walls

Figure 5

Insulation is the single most effective

item you can add to your home to
improve its energy efficiency. A well
insulated, energy smart home will keep
you up to 10C cooler in summer and
5C warmer in winter.

pay special attention

to cathedral
type ceilings

insulate walls
between ceilings to
the same rating as
the ceilings
up to R3.5
ceiling insulation

Insulate all ceilings, walls and raised

floors (see figure 6).

Heating systems
Having the flexibility to heat individual
zones of the home with energy smart
heaters is the key to a comfortable,
cost effective system.
up to R2.0 wall
insulation

Figure 6

insulate under
timber and
suspended slab floors

insulate cavity
brick walls

Hot water

Lighting
Make good use of natural light (particularly
from north-facing windows). Light coloured
walls and ceilings will help.

These simple measures can reduce your

hot water bills by up to 70%.

Use energy smart fluorescent lights in

living areas (see figure 8).

Install an energy smart hot water system

as near as possible to the kitchen,
bathroom and laundry (see figure 7).
Insulate hot water pipes, use energy smart
appliances and low-flow showerheads.

dining

living

kitchen
laundry

bed

w/c
bath
bed
bed

Sustainable Energy Authority

Ground floor, 215 Spring Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
F (03) 9655 3255
www.seav.vic.gov.au

Install separate switches for each light.

Landscaping
Deciduous trees on the north side of
the home allow the entry of sunlight in
winter and provide shade in summer
(see figure 9).

FirstRate house energy rating

Homes can be assessed for their energy
efficiency using the FirstRate computer
program and given a star rating. The more
energy efficient the home, the higher the star
rating, with 5 stars being the most energy
efficient.
For more information visit our website at
www.seav.vic.gov.au

external
hot water
system

Figure 7
NORTH

The information in this document is derived from various

sources and is understood to be correct at the time of
publication. However, the information may not be error
free and may not be appropriate for a particular purpose.
The Sustainable Energy Authority accepts no liability
whatsoever to any person for any injury, loss or damage
that may arise in connection with any use or reliance on
the information.

Printed on recycled paper

November 2002
winter sun

Figure 8: Fluorescent lamps

Figure 9

www.seav.vic.gov.au