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Home Design Ideas For Australian Climate
This topic should interest all Australians. All of us live in some climatic region in Australia. There are eight climatic zones defined within geography of Australia:
- High humid summer and warm winter (Cairns, Darwin, Townsville)
- Warm humid summer and mild winter (Brisbane)
- Hot dry summer and warm winter (Alice Springs, Mount Isa)
- Hot dry summer and cool winter (Warburton, Bourke)
- Warm temperate climate (Sydney, Adelaide, Perth)
- Mild temperate climate (Melbourne)
- Cool climate (Hobart)
- Alpine region (Mountains)
Home Design Ideas for High Humid Summer and Warm Winter
If you live in Cairns there are few things to remember:
- Should employ low thermal mass construction. The building material should have air pockets and crevices.
- Home design plans must consider good shading and reflective insulation.
- Roofs must be ventilated!
- Light colouring building materials will reflect the sun rays.
- Elevated building and high ceiling will allow for passive cooling all year long.
- Do not forget about passive shading.
- Keep nasty, ugly spiders with proper screening.
Home Design Ideas for Warm Humid Summer and Mild Winter
Brisbane inhabitants have difficult task here. This climatic zone has high humidity but also a dry season.
- Build your home with lightweight material (to reduce thermal mass).
- You should maximise external wall areas with good exposure to breeze.
- Evaporative cooling during dry season is the must.
- However, during high humid times you may need to look for alternatives (refrigerative aircon, etc)
- All east and west walls must be shaded. Here, you must invest in passive shading as your house will gain a lot of heat in those areas.
- Reflective and bulk insulation will further lower the cooling and heating cost for your house.
- Ensure that your place conforms to be a green and energy efficient house.
Home Design Ideas for Hot Dry Summer and Warm Winter
This climatic region covers most of Australia. However, the population density is very low. Architects and builders for the mining companies are probably the main steak holders here. It is unlikely that contractual workers will decide to stay in those hostile environments.
- Evaporative cooling is a real winner here.
- There is no need for unhealthy refrigerative air condition where water evaporation is high.
- Shade all west and east walls and windows.
- With hostels this may be difficult - so use bulk insulation where applicable.
- Garden ponds, water features and drought resistant vegetation will further improve the comfort.
Home Design Ideas for Hot Dry Summer and Cool Winter
Similarly (as in the case of the previous climatic zone) the population density is low and the area very large. Animal farming and mining activity are the main industries.
- Passive solar principles and good ventilation is very important here. The thermal mass starts to play a significant role in the home design.
- The east and west windows still must be shaded during summer.
- Evaporative cooling should completely take over from air condition to cool the house.
- Reflective insulation is needed to keep hot summer heat away from the building.
- Also, double glazing will be very effective in this climate.
Home Design Ideas for Warm Temperate Climate
We are entering high density population area. There are few things to remember:
- Passive solar principles and thermal mass is very beneficial for home design in this region.
- North facing living room windows will allow solar access in winter and shade in summer.
- Double glazing and convective ventilation will strengthen the green house design.
- Further, the energy efficient homes must employ bulk insulation in walls, ceiling and exposed floors. Use reflective insulation for summer heat.
Energy Efficient Homes for Mild Temperate Climate
This is Victoria with its moderate climate.
- Passive solar heating with thermal mass will benefit most of the houses.
- North facing orientation of the house is very important.
- Adjustable shading all around will help with different seasons.
- The principle of bulk insulation for walls, ceilings and floors applies. Reflective insulation during summer months is beneficial.
- Homes with good design do not need auxiliary heating or cooling.
Energy Efficient Homes for Cool Climate
If you live in Hobart there are few things to consider in your home design ideas:
- Hobart homes are best served with passive solar heating and thermal mass design.
- North facing walls need to be maximised with good solar access.
- Cross ventilation, double glazing and good sealing is vital for energy efficient homes in this climate.
- Install reflective insulation for summer and bulk insulation in winter to maintain the comfort.
Alpine region
This is predominantly a cold and dry area with variable spring and autumn conditions. The heat loss is the main objective of home design plans here.
- High thermal mass is recommended in this region.
- Bulk insulation and reflective insulation are vital for indoor climatic conditions.
- Auxiliary heating may need to be employed with good solar access and protection from winds.
- East, south and west windows should not be exposed to sun.
- However, the north facing windows need to be well exposed to sun.
Design You Home Against Bushfires
In countryside, most homes for sale are older structures. Therefore, there is very little which can be done to improve fire safety.
However, new homes in dense vegetation have to incorporate fire-resistant home design ideas.
Modern kit homes and modular homes often have fire resistant material built-in as part of the modules.
As the part of legislation, the construction of new homes must prevent openings in junctions. Thus, modern homes must:
- Have seals within junctions
- Incorporate bronze mesh fly screens
- Have seals around frames in openings
- Use non-combustible materials
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