Hi all. I have long been an avid subscriber to ATA and ReNew, and next year wil have the oppotunity to build a reno/extension for my bank to own for years to come. I thought I'd pick the brains' trust here on a bunch of items and get some ideas flowing. First, let me set the scene:
- we've got an existing 1930 weatherboard which is on stumps with an uninsulated hardwood floor
- we're adding a modern extension comprising of:
basement
three small bedrooms and a bathroom on a slab
an offset-shape living area that will sit on posh-trusses over the basement, and that will have ample double-glazed windows to the north (and slightly to west ~20deg). These windows will have pelmets and heavy curtains inside, and outside pull down blinds to protect them from late summer sun
total 40,000lt underground water storage
evap cooling
will add PV grid-connected system when affordable (should have roof space for maybe 4Kw
separate gas boosted solar hot water
- heating will be hydronic, on a modern condensing gas-driven boiler
1. I have done some reading on pro's and con's of in-slab hydronic. We'll have slabs under the basement and the rooms above as described. I am currently thinking that panels only would be the go to best allow for overall moderation of heat. What do people think? Should it combine slab with panels, or panels only?
2. It really doesn't sound worth it to connect up solar to the hydronic system. Given you want warmth in winter, when solar gain is poor, I'm feeling money is better spent on the highest efficiency condensing boiler available
3. as the lounge will sit on posi-trusses over the basement, how do I create some thermal mass in such a floor to capture incoming sun in cooler months?
4. can I make use of underground (~3meters to base of tanks) water storage for heating or cooling?
Cheers all and keep those discussions flowing.