People in glass houses...energy efficiency anyone?
scoobyrenonewb
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Dear Houzz, I'm new to renovating so need some enlightenment. I love the look of glass and open space - but I can't get my head around having the cool or heat such a large area. So before I knock down some walls and replace them with glass would a room like this be hard to warm up in winter? How would you make it more energy efficient besides having double glazed glass?
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scoobyrenonewb
6 years agoRelated Discussions
What could Australian homes learn from the rest of the world?
Comments (135)I'm amazed that this discussion has carried forward for nearly two years! In that time I have moved to another coastal area (cooler climate and better proximity to children) and this time found most of the discussion still rings true. Finding another home here was an incredibly frustrating journey made all the worse by a mad investor rush in the area just when we arrived to start our home search. That search took the best part of six months and in the end there would only be three or four houses to choose from in any week. Result? A rushed purchase, a desperately inadequate building inspection and failure on my part to notice poor bathroom tiling, shortage of closet and storage pace, just how small the lounge room really was, and etc. I disappointed myself because I had let the pressures beat me and now we are trying to resolve all of these issues in a home designed and built by one of this states most respected project home builders 25 years ago. Having now studied the floor plan with more care I realise it was put together (designed) in modular fashion - most bedrooms have similar dimensions and the living areas are all approximately the same size as if the designer simply juggled three boxes of one size and four of another size and then worked out traffic flow. Then he must have thrown them all in the air to see how they would land and that was design number two! And etc and so on. This house aside, we looked at a great many during the six months because we had to broaden our search above and below budget trying to find something. There were massive termite problems, leaky roofs, asbestos galore, gazzumping at every turn, almost all but the most expensive properties suffered at least one substantial fail for the most basic of needs and to top it off the best home in our price range just happened to be built on flood prone land - approved by council who put the flood signs up less than five years earlier. We live and learn. Then there were the real estate agents, but that would take another two years and I doubt the internet has enough free page space available!!! OK, I hear you, they're not ALL bad......See MoreWarming up open plan space
Comments (25)As Australias largest supplier of hydronic heating, we have been providing Australian homes with stylish, safe and comfortable hydronic heating and cooling solutions. As exclusive stockists of an extensive range of premium products, we ensure that all homes can enjoy the benefits of a low carbon, energy efficient system. We have just released an industry leading guide on Underfloor Heating, that contains information for both homeowners and installers, I believe the content within would be the perfect for many commenters on this post. If you're unsure on how to proceed with your project I recommend you take full advantage of our personalised consultation service, available for both homeowners and installers. Using the latest design software and coupled with the expertise of our Customer Service Team, you can rest easy knowing that we’ll design a bespoke solution that delivers superior comfort that is also environmentally friendly and energy efficient. If you would like a copy please email me on sophieo@huntheat.com.au, alternatively head to our blog to download a copy: Hunt Heating Blog...See MoreIs a bath necessary in a small bathroom?
Comments (63)I have a shower over bath combo' which its plastic resin something? It's a old bungalow and pitifully small. The amount of times I have nearly slipped over getting out, or lost my balance with soap in my eyes/ or after having a glass of wine. hate hate it. I did see a shower room with a additional hand held device and a over head shower. I thought that good for the odd squirt your feet down. The next owners will probably rip it all out and start again any way when design ideas change....See MoreHydronic heating and high ceilings
Comments (4)Yep, underfloor hydronic is the most effective form of heating you large-volume spaces with high ceilings. As hot air rises from the floor, heating the occupants, not the entire space. It's also a very comfortable form of heating, particularly for people who suffer from dust allergies or asthma. But hydronic systems can be very expensive to install. It is also uncommon in Australia, so can be difficult to find a specialist who is experienced in designing these systems. There are a few different ways to design an underfloor heating system. In-slab underfloor heating, where the hydronic tubes are located within the concrete slab. The slab is a huge mass. This very large thermal mass creates thermal lag, leading to very, very slow reaction times. Meaning the floor takes a very long time to heat up when turned in, & a very long time to cool down when turned off. Think a day or two, for the full reaction time, not an hour or two. This slow reaction time is only appropriate in climates that are extremely cold, in Europe & North America, where the heating is left in 24/7, for the entire winter. Unfortunately, due to the inexperience of many installers in Australia, this is often the method of underfloor heating installed here, & it's totally unsuitable to our variable winter climate. You have a warm winters day in Melbourne, & you're forced to open all the windows, as the floor is still radiating excess heat. This can often also be an inefficient system, as the floor losses heat into the surrounding earth. The slab must be very well insulated from the ground. In-screed is a far better option. Where insulating boards are placed on top of the slab, the hydronic tubes are attached to the boards, & a topping screed is poured over the system. This system has some thermal mass, but it's much lower than the entire slab. So the reaction time of the system is reduced. It is also a better insulated system, so heat losses are minimised. It is a more expensive, but better system. Thirdly, is hydronic systems for timber floors. which also uses aluminium defuser plates under the timber to spread the heat. Only certain engineered timbers should be used, as many timbers will warp. As Paul mentioned, timber is an insulator, so they'd is not an energy efficient system. The system is only as efficient as it's heat source. The options are either a gas boiler, or a heat pump. Gas boilers are cheaper to install, but consume more energy. So heat pumps will be cheaper to run, & better for the environment. My choice would be a heat pump. Make sure it's a heat pump specifically designed for hydronics, not a heat pump designed for domestic water, or the pool....See Morescoobyrenonewb
6 years ago
siriuskey
6 years agoscoobyrenonewb
6 years ago
PRODeirdre Avenell
6 years ago
oklouise