24 Nov 2023
Our Students recently attended students the Crookwell High School's Careers Showcase.
The students have worked hard on building a solar passive house over the last month and are delighted to be included in the special showcase.
Both our Primary and Infants students entered their exhibits for judging.
The students were able to visit the other exhibitions and gather ideas for future designs.
Please enjoy the brief description of their house and garden below.
Welcome to our Solar Passive House…
We have designed the house on the principles of solar including heating, lighting, hot water and have incorporated double glazed windows for efficiency in heating and cooling the house.
The house faces true north.
The lighting, hot water, heating and cooling units throughout the house draw power from the battery storage to make electricity from the solar panels on the roof of the house.
The outside showcases a carport with solar panels that convert to battery storage for the gardens to run the pool pump, outside irrigation and sensor lighting around the gardens.
We have included a fire warning system as the house is located in a high fire danger area built in a timbered area.
There is underground water storage filled from a bore with a filtration system integrated for freshwater use in the house.
The underground water storage also supplies water to the gardens through an irrigation system, that is operated using tap timers, again for efficiency purposes.
The outside perimeter has been planted with specific plants that are used as filters adding to fresh air quality and include conifers, poplars, maples and elms.
The under story has been planted with larger leafed varieties and natives. These plantings have been specially selected for fire retardant qualities.
The indoor plants have also been specially selected for air filtration including ferns, palms, ivy, aloe vera and large leaf plants like philodendrons and peace lilies.
The interior of the house is kitted out with smart appliances. Some of these are voice activated and include a smart fridge, TV, heating and cooling, blinds and curtains, outdoor roller blinds on the western (afternoon sun) side of the house.
The house (walls and ceiling) is insulated with the highest quality insulation and the interior of the house is made from ergonomic materials with open spaces to allow better air flow for fresh air, heating and cooling.