Download our Guide to Smart Living

your guide toSmart LIVING

YOUR GUIDE TO SMART LIVING

CONTENTS

IntroductIon to SMArt LIVInG 4

About our target savings 5

EnErGY SMArt 7

Making the most of the sun 7

Heating and cooling options 10

Making your own energy 12

Managing your electricity consumption 12

Light globes 13

Choosing and connecting larger appliances 13

Cold water washing 13

WAtEr SMArt 14

Being smart with water inside your home 15

Being smart with water outside your home 15

WAStE SMArt 17

Talk to your builders about managing waste 17

Why use a bin splitting system 17

Compost is the king 17

City of Wanneroo waste information 17

HEALtHY And SMArt LIVInG SpAcE 18

Creating a healthy indoor environment 18

Alkimos Beach Eco-Materials list 19

SMArt dESIGn for AccESSIbILItY 25

Universal design 25

Communication smart 25

LAndScApInG SMArt 27

INTrOduCTION TO SmarT LIVING

Your Guide to Smart Living has been prepared to help you incorporate features in the design of your home that will make it more comfortable to live in, more energy and water efficient and cheaper to run and maintain. Smart Living advice for Alkimos Beach focuses on innovative use of resources and design.

Our aim is to help you design a smart home that can allow you to target savings of more than 50% on your home electricity and water bills and target a 50% reduction in carbon emissions.

Save today, safeguard tomorrow.

This guide focuses on six smart areas:

1. Energy smart

2. Water smart

3. Waste smart

4. Healthy and Smart Living Space

5. Smart Design for Accessibility

6. Landscaping smart

To help you get started, LandCorp and Lend Lease are giving the following to each new landowner at Alkimos Beach who builds within 12 months of settlement:

• A minimum 1kW solar panel system bonus for every home

• An LED Light system upgrade bonus for every home

• An energy and water efficient appliance upgrade rebate for every home

• A rebate for gas boosted solar hot water system

• An in-home, real-time electricity monitor provided for every home.

This Alkimos Beach Energy Smart Home Package can save you up to 50% on your home electricity bill. Have a look at the graph below to see the estimated cost savings for each item.

Alkimos beach Energy Smart Home package

Solar Hot Water (Gas Boosted)

Solar Panels (1 kW)

LED Light Globe Upgrade

Energy efficient appliances

In-home energy monitors and

standby energy elimination

13%

0

500

1,000

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al c

ost

sav

ing

s

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lect

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ill ($

)

Average Perth Home

Alkimos Beach Energy Smart Home Package

1,500

2,000

2,500

4%

18%

11%

7%52%


At Alkimos Beach we are putting in place measures that will allow the majority of homes to target a 7 star thermal comfort rating. Where lots are orientated in a way that is “very solar efficient”, which really means your key living areas have north facing windows, 7 star should be achievable.

Other initiatives at Alkimos Beach include:

• A front yard landscaping package with carefully selected, waterwise native species

• Estate side and rear boundary fencing

• A comprehensive behavioural change program for residents with a simple home user guide provided for each home

• A Display Village that showcases examples of the Alkimos Beach Energy Smart Home

Your Guide to Smart Living should be read in conjunction with your NatHERs Home Rating Report as well as the Residential Design Guidelines.

about our target savingsOur target savings for energy, water and carbon are based on research presented in a number of reports and studies on smart living including the Australian Government’s Energy Use in the Australian Residential Sector and the Your Home Technical Manual, the Western Australian Living Smart Program and advice from the City of Wanneroo on sustainable living. Based on this information we have tailored Your Guide to Smart Living to suit the average house size and weather conditions at Alkimos Beach.

To find out savings that match your home and family size, visit the Alkimos Beach website www.alkimosbeach.com.au and explore the Energy Smart Home Tool.

05

INTRODUCTION TO SMART LIVING

The difference between good and poor orientation can increase typical heating and cooling costs by up to 25%, equivalent to $100 – $150 per year.

ENErGy SmarT

Energy smart is about maximising the energy efficiency of the design of your home to allow you to save on your energy and electricity bills in the long term. With electricity charges on the rise it makes sense to minimise your energy consumption as much as possible.

a well designed home at alkimos Beach could use less than half the energy of the average Perth home. This guide provides you with the most cost effective tips for saving energy in your home. There is a wide range of things you can do to save energy – following these guidelines is a great way to get started.

making the most of the sunEffective design and orientation of your home will ensure you maximise the use of sunlight to help your home stay warm in winter and cool in summer.

tHErMAL coMfort

Thermal comfort means keeping the temperature in your home comfortable without the need for artificial heating and cooling. There are a range of actions you can take to enhance the thermal comfort of your home.

A home designed with high thermal comfort can contribute significantly to the star rating of your home. Every new WA home is currently required to achieve a 6 star rating. We recommend asking your builder about upgrading your home’s design to a 7 star rating to further increase your home’s energy saving potential. For the average home design, this upgrade should cost under $2,000 if the orientation is correct.

Here are some tips to maximise the thermal comfort in your home:

• Ensure that high levels of insulation have been considered. It is usually cost effective to upgrade insulation – for instance, from R3.0 to R4.0 in the ceiling – to improve the long term performance of your home

• Simplify the design of your home, minimising external walls and overall size where practical. These measures should also help you keep the construction costs of your home down

• Use tiled floors in north facing living areas. This allows the sun to heat the area in winter and contribute to a naturally cool home in summer

• Consider improved window systems where the glass or frames are more thermally efficient. There are many window systems available to consider in the design process at a range of costs.

SoLAr orIEntAtIon

Where possible the housing lots at Alkimos Beach have been designed to ensure that homes have good access to the sun during winter. By locating your key living areas to face north you will benefit greatly from the winter sun. Good solar orientation will improve the thermal comfort and natural light within your home.

The difference between good and poor orientation can increase typical heating and cooling costs by up to 25%, equivalent to $100 – $150 per year.

07

ENERGY SMART

ASk Your buILdEr:

Can i upgrade my house to 7 stars?

ZonInG

Dividing your home into zones is a clever way to dramatically reduce heat and cooling costs. Zoning can halve your effective floor space, in turn reducing your need for artificial cooling and heating.

By installing dividers such as French doors, wide format doors or cavity sliders, you can close off your family room, kitchen or living area from the rest of the house. These are the areas where heating or cooling is typically required because they are where you are likely to spend most of your time.

You must comply with the necessary requirements within the Detailed Area Plans including site setbacks, building height, location of ancillary services and garages.

The home should be oriented so that main internal living spaces have north facing windows.

Courtyards should be located on the north side, to maximise access to winter sunlight.

Eaves over north facing windows should be 0.6 times the height of the window or protected by vertical louvers or other devices that enable winter sun penetration but exclude summer sun.

Shading to outdoor areas should maximise the balance between shading windows in summer and allowing winter sunlight access.

The design shall allow the potential to plant at least one tree at both the back and front of the house.

The design should maximise opportunities for cross ventilation through all parts of the home.

A veranda or portico style shaded area is encouraged between the home and the street.

Where used to justify the garage not being setback behind the home, the portico, veranda or balcony must be a minimum of 1.5m x 1.5m.

STR

EE

T

East and west facing windows should be shaded in summer. Substantial awnings or screening planting should be provided.

An ideal location for bedrooms is to the south, this maximises the potential for cross ventilation and helps protect them from harsh morning and afternoon sunlight.

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3m

WIntEr Sun MIddAY

SuMMEr Sun MornInG

SuMMEr Sun AftErnoon

n<3

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1.5m

VE

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AH

dESIGnInG for cLIMAtE

Setting up a simple kitchen or family room zone can allow you to reduce your heating and cooling requirements for much of the day by up to 50%.


WIndoWS And EAVES

The size, location and shading of windows, as well as the type of glass and window frames you select for your home will affect the thermal comfort levels you achieve inside. Too much glass on the wrong side of your home could mean the inside of your home will heat up quickly in summer and lose heat in winter, adding to your heating and cooling costs. Too little glass in the living areas of your home will reduce the amount of heat gained from the sun in winter.

As a general rule:

• Windows facing north should be large to maximize solar access. Ensure the eaves maximise the winter sun but block the majority of summer sun

• Windows facing south and west should be smaller to avoid the hotter summer sun in the afternoons

• The western side of your home is a great place for a veranda to help protect these windows.

SuMMEr

WIntEr

S n

W

E

SHAdoW MIDDAY WINTER

The low aspect of the winter sun allows sunlight to warm north facing rooms. In summer, homes need protection from strong morning and afternoon sunlight from the east and west.

SuMMEr And WIntEr Sun MoVEMEnt dIAGrAM

SHAdoW MIDDAY SUMMER

09

ENERGY SMART

ASk Your buILdEr:

Can I have large North facing windows to maximize solar access?

nAturAL VEntILAtIon

Natural ventilation is ideal to improve air quality inside your home and works to push out hot air on summer afternoons.

The Perth summer generally means that hot winds blow from the east until lunchtime before being replaced mid-afternoon with a cooler south-westerly wind. By opening south facing windows in the afternoon you can push out any hot air trapped inside and create air movement.

Suitable placement of south facing windows can also improve thermal comfort.

Heating and cooling options

cHooSInG tHE rIGHt HEAtInG And cooLInG AppLIAncES

The design of your home will influence your requirements for heating and cooling appliances. Your home can be naturally efficient in heating and cooling, allowing you to choose appliances that are just the right size and will save you money.

To put it into perspective, a 6 star rated home (as currently required in WA) should require 40% less air conditioning power than a 4 star rated home (the current WA average). This means that your air conditioner doesn’t need to be full size – saving you money now and in the future.

An efficient split system air conditioner in the main living zones, supplemented by fans in bedrooms, generally meets most people’s needs. The Alkimos Beach Energy Smart Home Package provides an energy efficient air conditioner upgrade bonus for every home.

You should ensure that the company planning your split system takes into account the natural thermal performance of your home. They can then advise you based on your home’s reduced heating and cooling load that will result from following the guidelines in this document.

Consider installing fans in your bedrooms to avoid having to leave an air conditioner on all night in summer.

make sure you can capture the afternoon breeze in summer by opening western and southern windows to cool your home down naturally.


ASk Your buILdEr:

Can I install ceiling fans in bedrooms?

Position your family room or main living areas on the north side of the house

Make sure your windows shade your family room from the summer sun. The size of your eaves can allow for winter sunlight but restrict summer sunlight

Design your home to capture natural breezes

Consider including double glazed windows in your main living areas

Divide your home into zones to reduce the floor space in your home that needs to be cooled or heated, potentially minimising the size of the air conditioning system required and reducing your heating and cooling costs

Ensure any gaps under doors or around windows are sealed to minimise cool air escaping

Install energy efficient heating and cooling appliances

Notify your air conditioning supplier of your home’s star rating

Zone off areas where you are spending most of your time by closing doors. Cooling and maintaining smaller areas is much more efficient

Keep your blinds closed to keep the sun out and the cool air in

Utilise fans rather than air conditioning to save on energy bills

If you choose to switch on your air conditioner, keep the thermostat to 26°C. For every degree you decrease your thermostat in summer, your bill will increase by up to 10%

SMArt dESIGn SMArt bEHAVIour

SMArt IdEAS to prEpArE for Hot SuMMEr dAYS

11

EnErGY SMArt

making your own energy

Hot WAtEr SYStEM cHoIcES

ALkIMoS bEAcH EnErGY SMArt HoME pAckAGE (EScArpMEnt VILLAGE onLY)

GAS booStEd SoLAr Hot WAtEr SYStEM

rebate Value: $1500 TarGET annual savings: $152

A gas boosted solar hot water system is the leading environmentally friendly hot water system. Although it is more costly than gas instantaneous and gas storage systems (the next best systems), it allows you to benefit from heating as much as 50-75% of your hot water from the sun at no ongoing cost.

For the Escarpment Village the installation of a gas boosted solar hot water system is a requirement of the Residential Design Guidelines. The system should have 2 or 3 solar collectors with a tank of 250 litres or more. This sized system will be suitable for the average family at Alkimos Beach. For larger families consider talking to your solar provider about a system that will suit your family and lifestyle.

The Alkimos Beach Energy Smart Home Package provides a contribution towards gas boosted solar hot water systems for the first village.

Perth has better access to solar energy than other major australian capital cities.

SoLAr pAnEL SYStEM cHoIcES

ALkIMoS bEAcH EnErGY SMArt HoME pAckAGE

1kW SoLAr pAnEL

Value: $2500 TarGET annual savings: $402

As the cost of solar panels has fallen significantly in recent years, purchasing a system is now an even more sensible decision, both environmentally and financially.

A system size of 1kw is the ideal to meet the internal electricity demands of most homes. A larger system may be viable if you expect to have high electricity consumption in the middle of the day when the panels are producing the most energy. Every home at Alkimos Beach will receive a bonus 1kw solar panel system.

managing your electricity consumption

In-HoME EnErGY MonItor


In-HoME, rEAL-tIME ELEctrIcItY MonItor


In-home electricity monitors can help you target savings of 7%. The monitors will make it easy for you to pay extra attention to your electricity consumption and are most effective when combined with simple standby energy elimination devices as detailed below.

In-home electricity monitors and standby elimination are the quickest ways to target additional savings of 7% from your electricity bill. The Alkimos Beach Energy Smart Home Package provides an in-home, real-time electricity monitor for each home.

StAndbY EnErGY ELIMInAtIon dEVIcE

A basic standby energy elimination device is a simple tool that aims to reduce your standby power consumption. This device sits between your appliance and the power socket and connects to a remote controller which allows you to switch the standby power on or off.

YOUR GUIDE TO SMART LIVINGYOUR GUIDE TO SMART LIVING

By installing these devices on each power socket in your home (except your refrigerator and microwave) you can reduce your standby power consumption when your appliances are not in use. This saves the hassle of crawling around the back of your TV cabinet searching for the power socket every night. It will also save you some extra cash when you pay your energy bills.

SMArt WIrInG

Smart wiring is wiring your home to ensure it adapts to future changes in energy generation and billing.

In the future it is likely that cheaper electricity rates will be available if you run your appliances outside of peak periods. For minimal cost, you can set up the electrical circuits in your home today to allow you to take advantage of these lower rates in the future. By having all your major appliances including your washing machine, dishwasher and dryer on a single electrical circuit, it will be easier to switch them all to operate during off-peak periods.

MAkInG uSE of nAturAL SunLIGHt

Perth’s sunny weather is perfect for drying your clothes naturally outside. Dryers can be expensive to run and use a lot of energy. Take advantage of our beautiful climate by drying your clothes naturally outside.

Light globes


LEd LIGHt GLobE upGrAdE


Lighting systems for new homes must comply with the current 5 watt per sqm lighting requirements, as part of the new 6 star rating criteria. We recommend LED globes over compact fluorescent globes as they provide immediate light (rather than delayed light), have a generally longer life, are more reliable and consume less energy. The cost of LED globes has also fallen dramatically over the last two years, while their performance has increased.

Each home at Alkimos Beach will receive a LED light globe upgrade bonus as part of the Alkimos Beach Energy Smart Home Package..

Choosing and connecting larger appliances

When you build your new home, you may take the opportunity to update some or all of your household appliances. If you are intending to purchase new appliances, make sure you research the energy ratings for refrigerators, televisions, washing machines and clothes dryers.

Try to choose energy ratings for these larger appliances that are within 1 star of the highest available (this means 3.5 stars for refrigerators, 4.5 stars for clothes washers and 6-7 stars for TVs). Major appliances with these ratings will give you a 25-50% saving on energy consumption compared to those with average ratings. This will result in a substantial saving over the lifetime of each appliance.

Every home at Alkimos Beach will receive an energy and water efficient appliance upgraded bonus as part of the Alkimos Beach Energy Smart Home Package.

In the kitchen we recommend choosing a gas cook top and a fan-forced oven. Gas is the cheapest option and has less carbon emissions than electric stove tops. Fan-forced ovens are designed to be more energy efficient and will help you save money on your bills. They are available in both gas and electric.

Go for the highest energy rating possible for your air conditioner, refrigerator, TVs and other large appliances.Cold water washingOne of the simplest steps to conserve energy is to wash your clothes with cold water. This saves energy that would otherwise be needed to heat the water. Cold water washing can also extend the life of your clothes – making it a win-win solution!


EnErGY And WAtEr EffIcIEnt AppLIAncE upGrAdE

Value: up to $1500 TarGET annual savings: $240

13

ENERGY SMART

WaTEr SmarT

With Perth’s limited annual rainfall and growing population, water is fast becoming a scarce resource. Water smart is about designing your home and garden with a focus on conserving water and maximising water efficiency in the future.

You can incorporate simple design measures in your home and garden to target up to 50% more water savings than the average Perth home – equivalent to over 50,000 litres of water per year!

WaterCorp’s Water Use Study (2009) recorded the average Perth residential water use by area. The pie graph below shows that water use for irrigation or showers and baths can account for a large portion of your water bill.

The installation of water efficiency devices within your home and garden can significantly reduce your water bills and preserve water availability for the future. It is recommended that you incorporate a number of initiatives in the design of your home to increase your water savings.

fIGurE 1: AVErAGE pErtH rESIdEntIAL WAtEr uSE (%)

Irrigation (39%)

Shower and Bath (25%)

Toilet (9%)

Washing Machine (7%)

Taps (6%)

Evaporative air-conditioner (4%)

Leaks (4%)

Handwatering (3%)

Pool and Spa (2%)

Dishwasher (1%)


Being smart with water inside your home

fIxturES – tApS , toILEtS, SHoWEr HEAdS

By choosing higher rated and more efficient taps, toilets and shower roses (water efficient shower heads), you will save 20-40% more water than if you choose moderately rated fixtures. Higher rated fixtures generally last longer, allowing you to save further on the cost and effort involved in replacing them.

The Residential Design Guidelines require the following water efficiency ratings for your home:

• Taps – 5 star WELS* rating or better

• Toilet – 4 star WELS rating or better

• Shower rose – 3 star, 6-7.5L rating or better.

* WELS = Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards

There are a range of brands and prices for fixtures with these WELS star ratings. Water efficient taps, toilets and shower roses allow you to save water without any effort.

AppLIAncES – WASHInG MAcHInE, dISHWASHEr

Your washing machine and dishwasher are likely to consume more water in your house than any other appliance. Together, they can account for more than 30% of your water use. We recommend that you look for appliances that rate within one star of the highest available rating – currently around 4 stars.

Front loading washing machines generally use a third less water than top loaders. This can save you up to $35 annually on your water bill. Top loading washing machines are also available with a 4 star rating.

Being smart with water outside your homeCreating a water smart garden involves planning your grass and garden areas in a way that balances your lifestyle needs with the need to conserve water in a dry climate. Refer to the Landscape smart section in this document and “Your Guide to Smart Landscaping” for more information.

15

WATER SMART

ASk Your buILdEr:

Will my taps have a 5 star WELS rating or better?

WaSTE SmarT

Waste smart is a focus on the efficient use of resources in the design and construction of your home. Building a home consumes a large amount of materials. It is recommended that you incorporate a number of initiatives to maximise recycling in your home.

Talk to your builders about managing wasteA lot of materials in the construction of your home can be recycled. In fact, up to 90% of built form waste can be recycled. This includes materials such as left over wood, plasterboard, certain plastics and even bricks.

Some building companies encourage the recycling of built form waste. We encourage you to discuss with your builder how they can maximise the amount of materials that are recycled. Appropriate waste management during construction has the additional benefits of reducing the piles of waste scattered around a construction site, promoting a safe workplace and protecting the local environment. LandCorp and Lend Lease will be partnering with some builders to pilot a better waste management process during built form construction. To find out more contact the Building Design Coordinator.

Why use a bin splitting systemRecyclable materials include paper and cardboard, plastic and glass bottles and steel and aluminium containers. The easiest way to increase your recycling is to split all of these recyclable waste materials in the kitchen, using a simple and space efficient system built under a suitable bench.

You can also use a separate container for kitchen vegetable and fruit scraps that could go into your compost bin or worm farm. Together, these very simple measures will cut your household rubbish substantially.

At Alkimos Beach we are aiming to reduce weekly household waste from a 240L bin to a 120L bin. Our goal is to achieve this reduction in 100% of households and we will need your help. This simple measure will substantially reduce the amount of household rubbish that ends up in landfill.

Compost is the KingUp to 40% of Australian’s household waste is made up of food waste. Composting helps reduce landfill and harmful methane emissions.

Designate a spot in your garden for a composting system to absorb all your kitchen waste. Scraps from your veggie patch can also be used in your compost bin, including old cabbage leaves, tomatoes and other trimmings.

Make sure you only feed your compost with organic materials. We recommend using two 20L bins that operate on a rolling front. This system includes one bin that is used to compost your fresh kitchen scraps and another bin that contains more biodegraded compost ready for use on your garden.

If you own a smaller lot, designate a spot for a worm farm. Worms eat any organic material and turn it into liquid fertiliser. Make sure you dilute the fertiliser with water before you put it on your plants.

City of Wanneroo waste informationThe City of Wanneroo recycled waste service encourages you to divide your rubbish into recyclable materials for collection every week. Green waste is currently collected every year and is advertised by the Council. Bulk verge collection occurs every year and can help you get rid of bulky unwanted items.

The City of Wanneroo have a lot of garden products available to residents, including mulch. Visit the Council’s website for more information at www.wanneroo.wa.gov.au.

17

WASTE SMART

ASk Your buILdEr:

What are you doing to recycle the building waste from the construction of my home?

HEaLTHy aNd SmarT LIVING SPaCE

Where materials are sourced from and how they are disposed of is another important consideration when selecting materials for your home. There are a range of materials that can present a health and environmental hazard due to the unsustainable production of materials and the production of potentially harmful gases.

Healthy and smart materials is a focus on making sure your new home provides a healthy and safe environment for you and your family. By incorporating design features such as low emission materials, design for universal access and inclusion of active living options, you can create a healthier living space for now and the future.

You spend a significant amount of time each day in your home so make it as healthy as possible through careful material selection.

Creating a healthy indoor environmentThis section has been prepared to help you create a healthy indoor environment within your new home.

HArMfuL GASES

When you build a new home, there are a range of new materials used in the construction process that will release gas, often known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Most VOCs are created through the use of glues and sealants, man-made timber products, paints and plastics. Formaldehyde is a type of VOC used commonly in woodwork or laminate as a sealant. This chemical in particular is known to be carcinogenic and can be extremely harmful to your family’s health.

Careful selection of your building materials will help reduce VOCs and will create a much healthier living environment in your new home.

cArEfuL SELEctIon of MAtErIALS

By using low emission products in your home you can reduce the risk of harmful gases being produced. The Alkimos Beach Eco-Materials list will help you identify products and materials that minimise internal air pollution by making sure you have minimal levels of VOCs.

Using materials with a high level of natural ingredients, rather than chemicals, is a good place to start in order to reduce VOCs. When building your home, consider the following:

• Use low emission paints on all internal painted surfaces

• Use low emission floor coverings on all indoor covered floors. For example, some carpets can contain high levels of chemicals

• Use low emission sealants and adhesives where possible

• Reduce use of formaldehyde products such as adhesives, paints or other building materials

• Select non-allergenic materials for furnishings where possible

• Use composite wood products which are low emission formaldehyde or restrict the use of composite wood products

• Ensure that wood products are stained with natural wood treatments, such as linseed oil or beeswax polish.

To ensure that you create a healthy indoor environment, talk to your builder.

AIrInG Your HoME

During the first year in your new home, you should open windows and use natural ventilation to bring in fresh air whenever possible. The release of harmful gases is highest in the first year and then steadily reduces. By encouraging natural ventilation you can minimise internal air pollution.

Indoor pLAntS

An easy way to improve the air quality in your home is to have indoor plants. Plants provide a natural filtration of the air and gives your home some colour. Position indoor plants near windows or skylights so that they can get their energy from the sun. Your local nursery should have a selection of indoor plants for you to choose from.

ASk Your buILdEr:

Can I restrict the use of formaldehyde based products in building my home?


you spend a significant amount of time each day in your home so make it as healthy as possible through careful material selection.

alkimos Beach Eco-materials List

concrEtE

regular mix concrete is used in the foundation of your home. there are a number of concrete products that use a higher quantity of recycled material in the mix, without compromising the structural integrity of the material. this saves resources and carbon. the following list provides a list of companies that provide a higher environmentally specified product.

nAME of productdIStrIbutor dEtAILS And contAct

coSt coMpArAbLE to StAndArd?

doES It MEEt tHE rEquIrEd StAndArd?

EnVIronMEntAL StAndArd

Boral Envirocrete (30%)boral WA boral.com.au 132 675

+1% above standard • 30% cement replacement

Boral Envirocrete (up to 60%)

boral WA boral.com.au 132 675

+3% above standard

• Up to 60% cement replacement and 100% aggregate replacement

BGC Slag BlendbGc concrete bgcconcrete.com.au 08 9261 1899

• Up to 42% cement replacement

Hanson Slag Blend

Hanson construction Materials hanson.com.au 13 26 62

• Up to 60% cement replacement

Holcim Slag BlendHolcim holcim.com 13 11 88

• Up to 65% cement replacement, 100% water, fine aggregate replacement with manufactured sands

LandCorp and Lend Lease engaged a consultant to prepare a comprehensive Eco-Materials list. This list identifies environmentally responsible materials which are more cost effective, time effective or accessible than regular alternatives. These environmentally responsible alternatives, if selected for built form construction, can lead to a reduction in the consumption or resources and the ecological footprint of your home. The cost estimates were generated in August 2012 and are subject to change. For more accurate pricing, please contact the provider. This list may not include all environmentally responsible materials available. For the full Eco-Material list or to recommend another environmentally responsible material please contact the Alkimos Beach Project Team.

ASk Your buILdEr:

Can I use an environmentally friendly concrete in building my home?

19

HEALTHY AND SMART LIVING SPACE

brIckS And bLockS

bricks and blocks can consume significant environmental resources both in terms of the material consumed and in the energy required to manufacture them. clay bricks and concrete blocks with lower embodied energy are available that contain less material and/or are manufactured at energy efficient kilns.

these include brick and block products such as clay-based, earth-based, recycled, re-used or made from Autoclaved Aerated concrete (AAc). the potential life cycle implications of brick and block should also be considered. the industry claims the embodied energy in bricks is repaid by the longevity of the materials, high thermal mass, low maintenance requirements and recyclable content.





90mm wide light clay brick

Austral bricks australbricks.com.au 08 9337 8888

• Lighter brick with 50% coring compared to standard 25%

• Less material used, Lower EE

• New energy efficient plan proposed for Perth region

Clay Brickboral Midland brick boral.com.au 13 15 40

From $932 per

1000 bricks

• Standard clay brick. Multi award winning clay brick recycling program

Concrete Masonryboral Midland brick boral.com.au 13 15 40

From $2655 per 1000 bricks • Concrete blocks

PowerBlock+ Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks

Hebel Australia (Scr label) hebelaustralia.com.au 08 9257 9377

From $5600 per 1000 bricks

• Hebel blocks use 61% less EE and 65% less GHG emissions than comparative concrete products

• GECA label on all AAC products

ASk Your buILdEr:

Can I use environmentally friendly bricks in building my home?


pAInt

Many paints contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (Vocs) which become airborne and are potentially toxic for humans and animals. Vocs are not the only consideration however as it is important to consider the entire manufacturing process of a product, and its’ environmental impact. Sustainability in the paint industry involves life-cycle management.

this includes energy use in the manufacturing process, reduced use of the pigment titanium dioxide, packaging and waste to be recycled such as water, solvent and packaging. Manufacturers of eco-labelled paints must undergo independent assessment by an eco-labelling body such as Good Environmental choice Australia (GEcA) and Australian Eco Label Association (AELA).





Taubmans: Pure performance range of interior and exterior paints

bristol paints bristol.com.au 131 686

+0-5% above standard

• Entire range of Lime Paints and a range of pigments is GECA certified

• Product testing and monitoring by AELA

Wattyl Interior – Ultra Premium

Wattyl paints wattyl.com.au 132 101

+0-5% above standard

• The Wattyl Eco System has been assessed by GECA for its low environmental impact on the entire product lifecycle and manufacturing process as well as VOCs levels

Dulux Professional Enviro 2 (matt and low sheen)

dulux trade centre dulux.com.au 08 9242 4700

+0-5% above standard • Low Volatile Organic Compounds

Full range of lime wash interior and exterior paints

bauwerk colour bauwerk.com.au 08 9433 3860

Between same to double the

cost of standard low VOCs paints

• Entire range of Lime Paints and a range of pigments is GECA certified. Product testing and monitoring by AELA

ASk Your buILdEr:

Can I use paints with a low chemical content in my home?

21

HEALtHY And SMArt LIVInG SpAcE

SuStAInAbLE tIMbEr for roof truSSES And frAMInG

Sustainable timber is timber that is sourced from sustainably managed forests, which means for every tree that is cut down, another is planted. It also means that the harvesting of the timber has minimal impact on the surrounding biodiversity, climate and water cycles. A lot of timber can be sourced from environmentally friendly sources and cost the same as the non-renewable alternative.

third party certification schemes are recognised as the most valuable tool in promoting sustainable forest management. third party certification schemes have the same main elements including Standards, certification, Accreditation, Labelling and chain of custody. Approximately only 10% of the world’s forests are certified by any recognised third party scheme.





Softwood sawmiller, specialising in the production of kiln dried Pinus radiata

Wespine Industries pty Ltd wespine.com.au 1800 018 888

• Australian Forestry Standard AS 4708:2007

• Operates a chain of custody complying with AS 4708:2007

• Member of the National timber product Stewardship

Plantation pine products

big river timber Group bigrivergroup.com.au 08 9456 0500

• FSC Forest Certification

• Chain of Custody certification

• Co-generation energy plant on site which qualified for renewable energy credits

Structural timberpine timber products pinetimberproducts.com.au 08 9452 2544

• Timber is purchased predominantly from Forest Certified Suppliers in Australian and are working towards Chain of Custody Certification

ASk Your buILdEr:

Can I use sustainable timber in building my home?


cArpEt

from an environmental perspective carpet can have a range of potential impacts including base materials, product emissions (e.g. Vocs), raw materials (toxicity), manufacturing processes, greenhouse gas impact, water use, social impacts, durability and ability to recycle at the end of life. the carpet Institute of Australia runs a number of classification and certification schemes for carpets in Australia including the Environmental certification Scheme (EcS).

nAME of product

dIStrIbutor dEtAILS And contAct

EStIMAtEd coSt coMpArISon

IncLudInG dELIVErY And InStALLAtIon?



Godfrey Hirst eco plus ®

Godfrey Hirst Australia pty Ltd (carpet manufacturer) godfreyhirst.com 08 9242 7643

$68/m2

• All products 100% low VOCs, PVC Free and BPA free

• DuPont Sorona ® renewable sourced polymer ESC Level 4 certification

Normal Nylon plus

Godfrey Hirst Australia pty Ltd (carpet manufacturer) godfreyhirst.com 08 9242 7643

$62/m2 • Complies with ESC Level 4

Redbook Green ®

feltex carpets pty Ltd feltex.com 1300 130 239

$68/m2

• Manufactured with renewable polymer – 37% Sorona ®

• ISO 14001 Certified

• ESC Level 4 Certification

Modular carpet

InterfacefLor interfaceflor.com 08 9318 5204

$35/m2

Without

underlay and installation

• VOCs emission rate less than 0.01mg/m2 per hour

• Complies with ESC Level 4

• Environmental production declaration in accordance with ISO 14025 certified

Tretford natural fiber carpets

Gibbon Group gibbongroup.com.au 07 3881 1777

$85-125/m2

• ISO 14001 registered company

• Made with 70-80% cashmere goat hairs from natural sustainable resources

DessoGibbon Group gibbongroup.com.au 07 3881 1777

$45-60/m2 • Cradle to Cradle ® design

• CRI Green label Plus Certificate

ASk Your buILdEr:

Can I use low allergen and environmentally friendly carpets in my home?

23

HEALTHY AND SMART LIVING SPACE

SmarT dESIGN fOr aCCESSIBILITy

When designing your home, consider whether you need to design for people who have a disability or are approaching old age. Design for Accessibility is about improving the liveability of your home, ensuring it caters for a range of mobility and health levels, allows for changing resident needs and has features which are simple and intuitive to use.

universal design

universal design is about ensuring that your home is easily accessible by everyone and caters for a range of mobility levels.A universally designed home can also be adapted to meet your changing needs and requirements over your lifetime.

To ensure accessibility, the following design features should be considered in your home:

• Ensuring easy entry and access to the house, considering grade / level changes at thresholds as well as doorway widths

• Including at least one bathroom or toilet and hand basin at ground level that is easily accessible in your home

• Designing your shower to be adaptable to all abilities by including a hobless (step-free) shower with an adjustable showerhead

• Ensuring that support devices such as handrails can be installed if needed in key rooms such as the bathroom and toilet

• Ensuring that doorways, entrances and hallways are wide enough to provide ease of access to people of all abilities

• Designing your kitchen so that it is easy to use for people of all abilities and ages

• Ensuring generous parking spaces with minimal grade.

These simple design guidelines can help you ensure your home is accessible to visitors and residents of all ages and abilities.

Communication SmarTAlkimos Beach has provisioned future proof information and communication technology infrastructure to respond to the growing use of technology in everyday life. This infrastructure, often referred to as fibre to the home (FTTH), caters for the delivery of phone, internet and television (including free to air and pay TV) services. It is also capable of supporting a range of other services (such as security, energy monitoring, home automation etc) as they become commercially available.

To take advantage of this and to enable connection to this communication infrastructure, it is important that your builder provides the appropriate conduit and cabling interface between your home and the street. The details for this conduit and cabling interface will be specified by the communication provider. The type and complexity of associated cabling within the confines of your home is your choice and can range from simple to complex depending on your lifestyle and your budget.

25

SMART DESIGN FOR ACCESSIBILITY

your garden is very much an extension of your home so it’s a good idea to consider features based on your lifestyle needs.

LaNdSCaPING SmarT

Landscaping smart is about designing your garden to enhance its quality while also being responsive to the local climate.

Your garden is very much an extension of your home so it’s a good idea to consider features based on your lifestyle needs. As well as designing for your lifestyle, there are a range of factors to consider ensuring your garden reduces your water use and energy costs. These include:

• Design for sunlight – taking into account the direction of sunlight when planning your garden layout

• Design for biodiversity – design considerations to help your garden contribute to the thriving biodiversity in the area

• Design for water conservation – taking a number of actions to maximise the use of rainfall in your garden

• Design for life – ensuring your outdoor areas match your lifestyle needs

• Choice of materials – selecting the right materials to create a sustainable garden.

For more detailed advice on the above, refer to “Your Guide to Smart Landscaping”. These guidelines will help you create your new sustainable garden at Alkimos Beach.

27

LANDSCAPING SMART

Level 2, 10 Ord StreetWest Perth WA 6005

Phone: 1800 255 466

www.alkimosbeach.com.au

Documents

Download our Guide to Smart Living