Build A Passively Designed Full Brick Home
To Reduce Your Greenhouse Gas Contribution
In recent years, attention has focused on reducing a home’s environmental impact. One of the easiest ways to do this is by reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused through energy consumption.
The increasing concern, and need, to build energy efficient homes has seen the introduction of building regulations such as BASIX – requiring a home to meet several energy/water consumption reduction targets.
“Building materials and passive design play a key role in a home’s energy efficiency. Incorporating bricks into a home’s design can greatly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions thanks to bricks’ thermal mass.
“A massive 39 per cent of energy consumed in the average Australian home goes into heating and cooling. This compares to just 9 per cent for lighting and cooking,” said Brett Ward, group marketing manager - Brickworks.
So, reducing your heating/cooling bill will pay big bonuses for your bottom-line and the environment. But the challenge is how to reduce heating/cooling energy while maintaining a comfortable temperature inside the home.
Brett Ward says full brick construction, particularly when paired with passive design principles, is ideal in minimising a home’s reliance on artificial heating and cooling.
“The thermal mass of brick absorbs heat and slows its movement through the wall. This evens out temperature changes – storing heat in winter and keeping the home cool in summer. In a way, it insulates the home from the harsh extremes of the Australian environment.
“Add-on benefits of a full brick home are sound insulation, termite resistance, higher resale values, low maintenance and a home that will last a life time,” added Brett.
And, if you are concerned about the embodied energy used to make bricks, consider this amazing fact. Changing just three 100W incandescent light bulbs to 20W compact fluorescents in your home will save 19.5 tonnes of greenhouse gas over fifty years.
This is more than the greenhouse gas emissions produced in the production of bricks for an average full brick home.
With so many positive environmental and financial benefits, why not consider full brick: the gold standard in housing.
To discover the benefits of a full brick home or to explore the wide range of products available, visit an Austral Bricks display centre or their website www.fullbrick.com.au
Austral Bricks display centres are at Horsley Park, Bowral, Albion Park, Punchbowl, Fyshwick ACT, Newcastle and Tuggerah.
