Smart solar storage is helping residential developer Mirvac create the ultimate ‘House with No Bills’ in Melbourne’s middle suburbs.
In a bid to develop more energy efficient homes, Mirvac has built a ‘test house’ in Cheltenham packed with smart technology.
A selected test family will live in the house on the $130 million Jack Road development. Energy consumption will then be monitored to see how well family members adapt to their new, environmentally friendly home.
The 12-month experiment will discover if a family can live in the house for a year without incurring any gas or electricity bills.
The solar panels and battery storage are supplemented with a range of energy saving devices to achieve this goal.
Smart solar storage boosts sustainable living
Integrated apps and devices will ensure maximum energy efficiency. Software in the home to monitor overall solar, battery and power use.
Family members will subsequently be alerted to their use of appliances, including peak and off-peak consumption. They can then modify consumption using this valuable feedback.
Smart home features include:
- Solar PV panels and solar storage batteries.
- Improved roof insulation.
- LED lighting.
- Energy efficient appliances.
- Smart metering and monitoring systems.
Smart homes for a more sustainable future
The ‘House with No Bills’ study is part of Mirvac’s strategy to reduce the carbon footprint of contemporary housing.
Called ‘This Changes Everything’, the plan also offers sustainable solutions to the challenges of housing affordability and climate change.
The test house is part of a long-term study to discover how average Australian families use electricity and also how house design can reduce consumption.
A zero net energy housing development outside Fremantle also uses a shared solar power system to gain self-sufficiency.
The innovative White Gum Valley residential estate in WA plans to exist off-grid. It aims to use combined solar in addition to battery storage to be self-supporting.
Contact Energy Matters for a solar quote and also to discuss how solar storage systems can reduce your energy bills.
