Brisbane is known for having a favourable climate due to mild winter as compared to other zones. However, the long summer in this tropical zone can be very challenging for some residents as the heat triggers several types of illnesses such as heat stroke, high blood pressure and heart disease, as well as mild diseases such as allergies and heat rashes.

Get your Home Summer-ready with a Passive Design!

Aside from health risks, the summer heat can also become a threat to your property.  High humidity during summer produces mould and dampness on concrete walls which are responsible for peeling paint. It also invites pests such as dust mites and bugs.  For this reason, air conditioning systems are an absolute necessity for homes in this region.

But then again, the problem of rising energy bills can become an issue. What if we tell you that a passive design can help you save on your energy consumption during the long summers? Would you consider it?

 

What is Passive Design?

Passive design is a method of constructing a house or other properties which maximises the following features for you to enjoy a natural and cool atmosphere:

  • directions
  • location of the plot
  • materials to be used
  • the layout of the interior 
  • placement of windows 

 

It is the general term for several techniques applied by builders and architects in the design and constructing properties. There are more specific strategies to passively cool your home without or with minimal use of air conditioning units and they are detailed below.

 

Making use of insulators

Insulators, as used in building and construction, are materials which possess great resistance to heat transmission by conduction and convection. Applying insulators in your property will do a lot of help in maintaining cool indoors or lessening the effect of summer heat in your home by repelling the heat from the outside as it is transmitted inside through some materials such as metal roofing which conducts heat. 

 

Using thermal mass

Thermal masses are construction materials which absorbs heat during daytime and expels it out during night time. Concrete is one of the best examples of this material. Concrete walls are more convenient to use in houses due to this reason. Concrete slabs for floorings are also getting into trend nowadays due to it acting as thermal mass. 

The good thing about thermal mass is that it allows you to have a cool indoor during daytime through heat absorption while diffusing the collected heat during night time when it is cold making the indoor a bit warmer.

 

Proper placing of windows, shades and other openings

This technique requires knowledgeable builders and architects as the placement of windows shades and openings has several considerations to be effective. Skilled builders know where the windows and other openings like a verandah must be placed to maximize the flow of air from the outdoor to your home. They must also be able to advise which type of windows works best in a given spot as windows can be either a shade or an opening, or both. 

Proper layout of the rooms can also do a great deal to passively cool your home. For instance, in an appropriately designed interior, a single air conditioning unit can be used to cool several rooms at once which will save you from paying for several units per room.

You might have observed that most of the techniques being utilized in passive design need assistance from an experienced builder. Here at Davolyn Constructions, we extend that help for you. We have proven skills in designing properties to provide passive cooling for your summer-ready indoors! Send us a message, today.