Sophia's energy-efficient home saves and earns money When Sophia, a single mum with a modest income, decided to build her own home in the south-west Victorian town of Camperdown, she knew it had to be more than just a place to live. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading $ 0 / $ NaN /year All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue She wanted a space that was energy efficient, cost effective and good for the planet.
Five years and plenty of research later, her dream home not only meets those goals, but actually earns her money. The key to Sophia's success lies in the design. By orienting her living spaces to face north, she maximizes natural light and heat, making the most of the sun's free energy.
Properly sized eaves shield her home from the harsh summer sun while allowing the winter sun to warm her space naturally. This clever design means her home requires minimal heating and cooling - just a single heat pump, in the form of an energy efficient, reverse cycle air conditioner. Sophia uses wine bottles in her home to help regulate temperature.
Pictures supplied. But Sophia didn't stop there. She incorporated 1300 water-filled wine bottles (leftover from her dad's collection) into her home's structure, using them as thermal mass to store and release heat.
These bottles keep Sophia's home warm in winter and cool in summer, further reducing her need for energy. "In the winter time, I get up at 6 o'clock in the morning and I'm walking around in bare feet, because there's still gentle heat coming out of this thermal mass," she said. To top it off, Sophia's home is entirely electric, with no gas in sight.
Sophia installed solar panels that generate enough electricity to not only cover her home's needs but also offset the costs of her rental flat in Melbourne. The result? Zero energy bills and even a bit of extra cash on the side. Sophia's journey shows that with thoughtful planning and a focus on sustainability, it's possible to build a home that's good for the environment and easy on the wallet.
If you're looking to save money, have a healthier home or reduce your carbon footprint, Sophia's home is an inspiring example of what's possible. For more sustainability shortcuts, visit thenewjoneses.com .
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