Lutgart and Raymond have lived in their home for over 30 years, and in that time have renovated with sustainability and a healthy indoor environment in mind. In 1997, the house was extended with a passive solar living/dining room, angled on the original house to face due north. The extension also included a new kitchen with hoop pine plywood and solid hoop pine cabinetry and a recycled timber benchtop. A Forbo Marmoleum floor was laid in the children’s bedrooms, hallway and entry.

In 2016, it was decided to go all-electric for environmental and financial reasons, and gas to the house was disconnected. The gas ducted heating, instantaneous gas hot water and gas cooktop were replaced with far-infrared (FIR) ceiling-mounted heating panels in the living areas, a Sanden ECO heat pump and an induction cooktop. Magnetite retrofit double glazing was installed on all windows. A 5.04kW solar PV system and a 10kWh battery with Reposit Box were added, resulting in considerable cost and energy savings. We have negative electricity bills from October to March.

The garden features a Modwood deck, a 9000-litre rainwater tank, a vegie patch, and a swale directing water into the garden from a disconnected down pipe with rain chain.

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