Energy efficient house, Penrose Rural Coop

This passive solar, energy efficient house on the temperate Southern Highlands of NSW has glasshouses attached to the sunward side of the mudbrick and timber structure for winter heating. The region can be very warm in summer and very cold in winter, however the mudbricks provide thermal mass that produces year-round inside comfort. An efficient slow combustion stove provides supplemental winter heating when required. The building is powered by a wind turbine and an array of photovoltaic panels charging a bank of batteries. Roofwater is stored in a large, galvanised iron tank. A small kitchen garden supplies some of resident, Suzie Edwards, food. Location: Penrose Rural Coop, Penrose, NSW Southern Highlands. The coop is one of Australia's early multiple occupancy intentional communities. The Coop was location for Pacific-Edge Permaculture Design Courses.

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