Sanctuary Magazine

Energy saving renovation

When Jodie Pipkorn bought her Canberra townhouse she lived in it for about a year, coming up with various designs to improve its passive solar performance. She then spent just $27,500 to renovate it as sustainably as possible.

She now has a larger, more open kitchen and pantry, increased natural light in the bathroom, a garage to store bicycles, a vegetable garden for home grown produce and a beautifully warm living area with increased thermal mass.

The second-hand dark-coloured floor tiles in the north-facing living area capture the sun’s heat, as does an internal brick wall. The pelmets and heavy curtains are possibly the simplest improvement in this home, helping to retain heat especially on freezing Canberra nights.

Recycled materials have been used throughout to show their full potential and Jodie can tell the story behind each salvaged piece. Tiles and timber are deliberately angled in the living area to distinguish it from the adjoining dining area. Surfaces such as the internal brick wall have been left exposed to limit the use of paints and finishes.

It’s a small home at just 75 square metres. Its size and the improvements mean electricity bills are around $80 a quarter and offset by Community Climate Chest GreenPower.