Get It Right with Undercover Architect

Hello! This is Episode 413. This is Way #13 of the ‘44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home’ series. And we’re still in Section Three: Sustainable Services and Infrastructure, and reviewing our hot water supply.
For many homeowners, their decisions about their hot water unit can come in a flurry, and simply be based on what they know. Sometimes it can be handed to the plumber, as they recommend a system, you go with it.
However, your hot water unit is a product that can last ten to fifteen years, and the selection you make locks in a significant amount of energy use and money each year you live in your home, so it’s worth considering the options before you specify.
Way #13 is: Select an Efficient Hot Water Unit and Get the Plumbing Layout Right.
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/413]
Hot water accounts for approximately 23% to 25% of your home’s total energy use. That makes it the second largest energy consumer in your home after heating and cooling.
In this episode, we’ll talk about the key differences between the main hot water system types, what to consider and avoid, why heat pump hot water units sometimes get a bad reputation and what the reality actually is, the plumbing layout decisions that can significantly reduce hot water waste, and the specific discussions to have with your team.
As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/413.
Now, let's dive in!
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/413
Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways
Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/
Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! This is Episode 412. This is Way #12 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series. We’re continuing through Section Three: Sustainable Services and Infrastructure.
In Episode 411, we looked at where household water goes, especially in indoor use, and how to reduce consumption through fixture selection and design decisions.
In this episode, we’re looking at the other side of that equation: not just using less water, but capturing and reusing the water that falls on and around your home.
Way #12 is: Store and Reuse Water for Greater Water Saving.
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/412]
In this episode, I share information on rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, and what it looks like to meaningfully reduce, or in some cases almost eliminate, your home’s reliance on mains water for outdoor use.
I’ll also share a little of my own experience with whole-of-home rainwater supply, as we’ve been living entirely on rainwater for over a decade now.
As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/412.
Now, let's dive in!
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/412
Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways
Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/
Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! This is Episode 411. This is Way #11 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series. We’re continuing through Section Three: Sustainable Services and Infrastructure, and today we’re looking at water.
In the last episode, we covered Way #10: reducing your energy use through your selections. In this episode, we’re looking at water efficiency. Where does water really get used in your home? What do the ratings mean in practice? And what decisions, beyond just choosing efficient fixtures, can actually make a difference?
Way #11 is: Reduce Your Water Use In and Around Your Home.
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/411]
Water tends to receive less attention than energy in a sustainability brief. I think this is partly because the financial feedback is less immediate. Electricity bills arrive more regularly and can feel significant. Water bills are often quarterly, and in many areas they feel manageable, or are wrapped up with your council fees.
But around 12% of Australia’s water use is in residential homes. Water is a finite resource, and under pressure in many locations around the world, and the decisions you make about how your home uses it can carry through for the life of the home.
Interestingly, water efficiency can be one of the most straightforward areas to address, purely through specification. The ratings systems that exist for water-efficient fixtures are clear and accessible. The products are widely available. And in most cases, the cost difference between a high-efficiency and a standard fixture at specification stage is minimal, while the savings over time are significant.
In this episode, I take you through where household water actually goes, what the rating systems mean in practice, the design decisions beyond fixture selection that can reduce water use, and why outdoor water use deserves its own conversation, which we’ll cover in the next episode.
As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/411.
Now, let's dive in!
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/411
Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways
Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/
Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! This is Episode 410. This is Way #10 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series. And with this episode, we also begin Section Three: Sustainable Services and Infrastructure.
If you’ve been following the series from the start, you’ll know that Section One was about designing for climate and site: orientation, breezes, passive heating and cooling, and climate zone.
Section Two was about sustainable design strategies: home size, your team, structural efficiency, accessibility, and indoor air quality.
We’re beginning Section Three with Way #10: Reduce Your Energy Use Through Your Selections.
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/410]
In the first 9 episodes of the ‘44 Ways’ series, I’ve stepped you through some key decisions that will shape the sustainability of your new home or renovation before any system is installed in it. Section Three is where we look at the services and infrastructure inside your home. Think energy, water, hot water, and renewable supply.
Interestingly, these areas are often where people start their sustainability conversations, as they can feel much more tangible than the project initiation and design decisions we’ve been discussing up to this point. They’re the actual systems that determine how your home runs day to day, how much it uses in resources, and what it costs to run.
In this episode, I take you through where your home’s energy is actually being spent, how to approach appliance and system selection for efficiency, how to correctly size your mechanical heating and cooling systems, and the hierarchy that I think every homeowner should have in mind when making these decisions.
As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/410.
Now, let's dive in!
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/410
Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways
Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/
Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! This is Episode 409. This is Way #9 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series. This episode also closes out Section Two: Sustainable Design Strategies.
In this episode, we’re finishing Section Two with Way #9. Way #9 is: Improve Your Indoor Air Quality.
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/409]
The ways I’ve been sharing in Section Two have been about the bigger-picture design decisions that need to be thought about early, but can create a huge amount of impact in your future home’s sustainability, functionality and performance.
We’ve covered designing a smaller, smarter home, choosing an aligned team, creating an efficient structural design collaboratively, and future proofing your home with accessibility.
I know that when most people think about sustainability, they’re thinking about energy, water, and materials, and how they can save all of those things. But a sustainable home is also a healthy home.
And, given that we spend 80 to 90% of our time indoors, and especially since COVID, much of that time is now in our homes. The quality of indoor air that your renovation or new build creates will have a big impact on the health of all living in the home, and how the home functions for you long-term.
Indoor air quality is directly impacted by decisions you make about the materials and finishes you include in your home, and the ventilation strategy you adopt. Those decisions are ideally made during design and specification.
If indoor air quality is important to you, your goals for it belong in your Design Brief, right alongside other strategic design and specification decisions you want to prioritise in your project.
In this episode, I take you through how indoor air quality is part of your sustainability considerations, the main sources of indoor air pollution in residential homes, how moisture and ventilation connect to this, and what you can actually do at the design and specification stage.
As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/409.
Now, let's dive in!
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/409
Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways
Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/
Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.