How to Ensure Sustainability in Multi-Unit Home Development
Sustainable Multi-Unit Development
Embarking on your next project as a developer? The Jem Homes team can transform your project into a sustainable masterpiece, but now is the time to lay the foundation for a green dream home. Ceiling insulation, solar panels soaking up the sun's energy for electricity and hot water, shading devices playing the role of nature's sunglasses, and strategically positioned gardens bring functionality and eco-friendliness to every corner of your creation.
Past the obvious inclusions, little luxuries can improve the eco-friendly experience. Tinted windows, quality doors, rooms flooded with natural light, and more create spaces that thrive on green principles.
Sustainable and eco-friendly homes require a professional network of industry service providers who are seasoned eco-warriors. The right team can turn your development project into a profitable, eco-friendly venture, and at Jem Homes, we know that sustainable home design isn't just good for the planet but great for your pocket.
Environmental, social and economic sustainability
Each of these factors plays a vital role in crafting a multi-unit development for a thriving future. Environmental sustainability is all about reducing and reusing with a home that cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions, conserves water, slashes waste, and keeps energy consumption on a leash – from the first brick laid to the last light switched off.
Social sustainability is about building a community. A socially sustainable home ensures safety and accessibility for residents of all abilities and mobility. It's a space where everyone feels at home, regardless of their individual needs.
Last but not least, economic sustainability considers a sustainable home as an investment that keeps on giving. During construction, it's about smart choices that save dollars and cents. Throughout its lifetime, it's about dodging those major renovation bills and opting for appliances that have energy and water conservation features.
When you weave these three elements together, the result is not just a home; it's a gold mine. A study by the Queensland University of Technology, alongside global partners, found that sustainably designed homes don't just win hearts on the sales market; they triumph in the utility bill savings game, demand less TLC, require fewer construction materials, emit fewer pollutants, and boast a higher resale value.
Key eco-considerations for your build:
Solar panels
Insulation
Greywater systems
Energy-efficient appliances
Low-flush toilets
Non-toxic building materials
Windows and their performance in the overall energy efficiency and comfort of a building
The key metric in evaluating windows' thermal efficiency is the U value, which quantifies the heat transfer rate through a window. The reciprocal of this value is known as the R value, representing the window's resistance to heat transfer.
Let's examine the numbers. Single-glazed aluminium windows typically have a U value of 5.8 (1/0.17), indicating a higher heat transfer rate. However, for those seeking the gold standard in thermal performance, thermally broken double-glazed aluminium windows steal the show with a U value of 2 (1/0.5). This is not just an incremental improvement; it's a significant leap towards enhanced energy efficiency.
To put it simply, the lower the U value, the better. A lower U value signifies less heat transfer through the window, translating to improved insulation and reduced energy consumption for heating or cooling. It's more than just keeping the elements at bay; you create an environment where energy is conserved and comfort is maximised.
Being selective with window sizes and locations goes beyond the glass and into where and how much of it you place. Optimal window placement can harness natural light, reduce the need for artificial light, and contribute to a well-ventilated, energy-efficient space. Choosing windows that guard against heat loss or gain ensures your building stays cozy year-round. Whether embracing the triple-pane magic of European-style windows or maximising the potential of thermally broken double glazing, every decision contributes to the bigger picture of energy-efficient design.
Energy efficiency within a building's walls and windows
Creating a space that's both thermally intelligent and environmentally responsible is critical. Walls are responsible for maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. With insulation values ranging from R2.0 to R3.0, these stalwart barriers resist heat transmission, ensuring that the building retains warmth in winter and stays cool in summer. A reasonable energy rating is the goal, and walls are the sturdy foundation.
While walls boast insulation values that can be quantified and controlled, windows introduce a variable that demands strategic consideration. The R values of windows, especially compared to walls, reveal a stark contrast. Windows typically stand at 1/10th to 1/6th as effective at insulation. This emphasises the need for a balanced approach – avoiding an excess of large windows that can compromise the overall insulation integrity.
Sealing the deal, quite literally, is the installation process. Insulation must be installed correctly, with careful attention to detail. Any gaps around plumbing, air-conditioning pipe penetrations, or cabling become potential gateways for heat to escape or infiltrate. Heat, like noise, is a crafty traveller, and even a small gap can wreak havoc on the energy efficiency of a building.
Pro tip: We steer clear of placing power points or similar wall penetrations on the external walls. This practice, while convenient for electricians, can disrupt the continuity of insulation batts, creating gaps that compromise the building's thermal envelope.
True sustainability in your next Multi-Unit Home Development project
At Jem Homes, our consultative style allows us to guide our clients with expert advice through design, planning and building to ensure everything is on track to be as sustainable as possible. We embrace a good challenge, and our attention to detail and strict quality standards ensure exceptional results, especially in large multi-unit projects. Let's chat today about your next design and build!