AT2: Short Answer Question – Design for Climate

Name:

Housing context

The proposed project is a planned future retrofit of a 1950s house located in ‘Greensville’, Tasmania
(Climate zone 7 – Cool Temperate). The house is a detached double storey dwelling of approximately
200m2 in an established low-density suburb. The house is owner-occupied by 3 people – one adult and two
primary-school aged children, who have lived there for the past 3 years. They plan to stay in the house for
at least the next 10 years (until the children leave home).

Climate context
Mean maximum temperatures range from 22 to 27 o in summer and 11 to 14 o in winter. There is a relatively
high diurnal range with mean minimum temperatures between 12 to 14 o in summer and 0 to 5 o in winter.
The climate is mild but daytime temperatures can range from 15 to 39 o in summer, and 6 to 18 o in winter,
and night-time temperatures can range from 2 to 21 o in summer and -5 to 11 o in winter.

The prevailing wind is north-northwest year-round, although it is more variable in mornings in both summer
and winter. Of particular concern is protecting against stronger cold N/NW winds in winter.

The land is on a north-facing slope with minimal overshadowing. Prevailing winds are unobstructed and
funneled up the valley and street resulting in the north face and entry to the house being very exposed. The
garden to the rear /south is relatively protected.
(158 words)

Climate Design Priorities

Climate design principles for this zone relate primarily to passive heating, including capturing heat, storing
and distributing heat and minimising heat loss.

1. Capturing heat – The double storey house faces north with unobstructed north-facing glazing to
most habitable rooms. Overhanging eaves are approximately 45% of the height from sill to eave
and work well for solar gain in winter and summer shading. However, with the high variability in
temperatures, flexible shading would improve performance.

2. Storing and distributing heat –There is no internal thermal mass and this would be difficult to
retrofit. This increases the importance of minimising heat loss. The house layout maximises
benefits of heat distribution due to the stack effect – living areas located on the upper floor are
warmer in winter and bedrooms on the ground floor are cooler in summer.

3. Minimising heat loss – The house is not well insulated with patchy insulation in ceilings,
uninsulated walls and single-glazed rusting steel-framed windows (creating problems with both
heat transfer and infiltration, particularly on the windy north face). Retrofitting insulation in the
brick veneer walls will be difficult, but there is sufficient space in the roof to substantially increase
insulation and improve the overall thermal performance. Windows can be replaced with double
glazed/thermally broken frames (prioritising high-use living areas) and all gaps sealed.
(215 words)