The Green House
23 Willow Way Maddington
Unfortunately, The Green House is now closed to the public to enable Phase 2 of the project to commence - home occupancy. Three students from Murdoch University are residing in the home to enable SEREG to collect some hard data on the retrofitted home's performance.
If you would like a copy of the new promotional DVD featuring vision of The Green House, including all the energy efficient, waterwise, and waste reducing technology on display, contact the Regional Greenhouse Coordinator, Mr Jason Menzies, on 08 9391 6032.
The Green House will change the way you think about your house and your role in reducing the Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming.
The Green House is a retrofitted existing dwelling in Maddington and is a showcase of sustainability, especially in regards to energy efficiency, but also in water and waste efficiency.
There has been a lot of attention and publicity given to energy efficiency in new homes, but little to renovations, which comprise more than 80% of building activity in Australia. SEREG decided that it was time something was done to help people who wanted to invest in energy and water efficiency when they renovated their existing home.
The Green House, located at 23 Willow Way Maddington, is a 1970s double brick and tile home representative of many in the region. The house was built with little consideration of environmental performance. As a result, the house was uncomfortably hot in summer and unbearably cold in winter. Electricity and gas use and costs to heat and cool the house were a drain on the household budget, but also cost the Earth through greenhouse gas emissions.
The Green House has been retrofitted specifically for this project by local contractors and, wherever possible, with local products to demonstrate that sustainable energy and water efficient house retrofits are easy, affordable, and attractive.
SEREG Chair Councillor Pat Hart explains "We hope that the successful retrofitting of an older, existing home will show the local community that the environmental and financial performance of existing residential dwellings can be substantially and cost-effectively improved by addressing a few simple areas".
"Retrofitting of The Green House has been kept mainstream and practical, to be easily replicated with the emphasis on the promotion and display of the energy and water efficient features."
The orientation of the block and the sun's seasonal impact on the house, and the existing layout of the house have been factored into the retrofit, with a focus on improving comfort levels and reducing the need for additional heating and cooling.
The house also has a strong focus on water efficiency. The Green House demonstrates a variety of readily available energy and water saving technologies, from compact fluorescent down lights to grey-water recycling and sub-strata irrigation.
The Green House is open to the public until 30 June 2007 as an educational tool and source of information on affordable sustainable retrofitting. After this time, environmental students from Murdoch University will move in and occupy the house for 12 months so that SEREG can monitor the environmental performance of the home (e.g. energy and water usage), compared to others in area.
Gosnells Mayor Cr Pat Morris said "The City of Gosnells is excited to be hosting this excellent switch your thinking! initiative, the first of its kind in the Perth metropolitan area".
"The Green House demonstrates that any style of home, regardless of age and location, can be successfully retrofitted with energy efficient and waterwise features - which in turn will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from household energy use", she added.
The Green House was open to the public for 12-months (1/7/06 - 30/6/07), and in this time attracted over 2,800 visitors from across the Perth metropolitan area.
Click here to download the special Green House Lift-Off which highlights energy, water and waste efficient products and services and lists companies that can provide them.
This project is proudly supported by program partners Cool or Cosy, Solahart, Water Corporation and Sustainable Energy Development Office.
