@solarventi, Hi, sorry, I didnt work it correctly, It is an interesting concept, but I am not getting it>>> bit slow... How do you heat up in winter in Vic when we get very little sun and the weather has turned Artic this year, Main reason I am noticing the cold, especially when working outside. I do have low blood pressure so feel the cold, but the red clothing next to skin works a charm. I would like to understand... I have seen on uTube where they DIY passive heat I liked the pictures but no explanation and these were using exisiting windows .. I this with gap at bottom on outside so cold air comes in and gap at top on inside so warm air into house.... but got to technical for me. And I get confused, as hot air rises and I dont understand why fans are at the top in newer models not at bottom [of heaters] But I would mind understanding how it works.. Am going to check the website, TU very much. I have bats to put in kitchen reno but would like something to attach to the corrogated iron so there is no gap between iron and bats. Appreciate your help and will check again on your site to see if I missed anything :)

thanks for your information which complies with our recent experience ..our mid range kitchen was just over $40,000 with custom designed cabinets to suit specific personel needs, mid range appliances and basic laminates...stone benches for my kitchen would have added an extra $7000 but i chose the custom sized cabinets and extra shelves in all cabinets...: so much detail to consider

Hi AndrewJason, I love cavity sliders. they are there when you want them but not visible when you need the space open. Having said that they cost more, take a bit of wreckage to set up and in you WA case you will be wrecking brick walls to put them in which might be a stretch of mess too far. BUT you will need to weigh up if they are worth it in the end. I do not think the build will be too bulky in the kitchen/dining because it will be superbly practical on both sides and it maybe just a matter of what you are used to. Not sure about "Average Joe...…" we are all good at somethings, mine is plans, function, practicality, solar. Yours might be brain surgery, empathy for unwell folks, kinda or you make the best seafood lasagne in the world... we are all needed to make for a great world: and it really is that!!! Good luck with your splendid home: I think it is beautiful. And PS if you do make the best seafood anything I better have your address....!!!!!!! MK

Firstly OP, I believe the NSW government has no rebates for solar (except a minor trial for a low income rebate for solar in selected areas). Only a loan scheme. The main rebate for solar is the STC rebate, which is a federal rebate. Victoria has a state rebate, worth an additional $1,800 (plus another $1,800 as an interest-free loan), or there abouts. But to the crux of your question. If people have an unshaded roof, I think they'd be crazy not to invest in solar PV. Technology has improved over the years, & prices have tumbled. In most areas, single phase homes can have a solar system up to 6.66kW (5kW inverter) installed - any larger than this & export limiting will occur. A system this size can be installed for somewhere around a cost of $5,000 - $6,000. $3,500 to $4,500 in Victoria. With savings on electricity of up to $1,500 a year, payback times average from 3 to 5 years. After that is all profit. Tell we where you can find an investment with these sorts of returns. From you bank, shares, real-estate, I don't think so! If I was building now, not only would I spend a lot of time getting the passive solar design right, & making sure my building envelope was well insulated & air tight (most new Aussie homes are very leaky). I'd also make sure my roof was well designed to accommodate solar panels. This is often not the case in Australia, where we have a fascination for hip & valley tilled roofs. Hint: a rectangular panel doesn't fit well on a triangular roof face. A complex roof, with multiple angular roof faces, over many aspects, will reduce the available area for solar panels. It will complicate the installation, increasing costs. Plus the final result will look like a dog's breakfast. But I'd be going much further than just installing solar panels. I'd be building an all-electric house. Split system reverse cycle AC (heat pump), the most energy efficient, cost effective form of heating. Fans for cooling (AC is energy hungry for cooling). Heat pump hot water, again, the most energy efficient way to heat water - unless you're in northern Australia, where solar thermal water is a good option also. Induction cooking. As responsive as gas. But with even more control over temperature, & far, far easier to clean. This means no gas to the home! A saving of over $300 a year, just in service charges alone! Plus cheaper running costs, especially when powered by solar PV. Installing solar PV & saying no to gas is also far better for the environment. The federal government may tell you that gas is a great transitional fuel, it's not! Why was the CO-VID Commission stacked with gas executives? Jobs for the boys, their fingers in the pie. Not only does combustion of gas create quite a lot of carbon dioxide (about 50% as much as coal). But natural gas (methane) has a global warming potential of 25. That is, it's 25 times worse than carbon dioxide! This means that if only 3% of it leaks into the atmosphere during its extraction, processing or transportation, emissions are just as bad for gas as they are for coal! Progressive government's like the ACT are considering banning natural gas from new developments. Other government's, who are too friendly with the fossil fuel industry, & are addicted to their political donations turn a blind eye to science & tell you gas is great! For anyone on Facebook, who would like to build an energy efficient home, is recommend that join the 'My Efficient Electric Home' (MEEH) group.