Concord, NSW 2137
In 2004 we renovated our 80 year old three bedroom Californian Bungalow in Concord, NSW. A large amount of thermal mass was added to the northern end via a concrete slab & an internal double brick wall. This was complimented by high levels of insulation, including double glazed windows, plus strategic shading and adjustable cross flow ventilation. The house is disconnected from the local water authority for both supply & sewerage collection and uses harvested rainwater for potable purposes plus on-site treated black water for flushing toilets & washing clothes.

The annual environmental benefits are estimated:

• Stop over 50,000 litres of treated sewage entering the Pacific;
• Prevent 120,000 litres of stormwater from entering the local waterways per year,
• Save more than 120,000 litres of drinking quality water from Warragamba Dam each year;
• Stop over 8 tonnes of greenhouse gases from entering the Earth's atmosphere annually. (only certified ‘green' energy is used).

Top row: rainwater tanks and passive sand filter.
Bottom row: before and after of the waste water recycling tanks - now a lovely deck.