Well thanks to Juice Electrical Supplies we can now give you a pretty good idea of who the main offenders are.

The infographic that appears on this page is based on an average home in England. And whilst there may be some differences between Australia and the UK (more cooling, less heating for example) I think you would find that many of the prices shown below are relevant for those of us living Down Under.

So what does this all mean and how can this chart help you reduce your household running costs? Well here are the top 5 things that really stood out to me from this study and the accompanying infographic:

1. Plasma TV’s chew more than 3 times more power than LCD TV’s.
2. Devices use a lot of money just being on standby. In fact the average household spends in excess of $120 a year on appliances they aren’t even using.
3. A laptop computer uses about 1/7th of the power that a desktop computer & monitor uses.
4. An aquarium can cost around $60 per year to run in just power costs alone.
5. And for those with a home office – a fax machine can cost more than $30 a year to run, compared to emailing using a scanner/printer which uses around a quarter of the power.

As always one of the major points here is to switch off appliances at the wall. But beyond that there are other points that we can take out of this information.

For example lighting is a major expense for most households and whilst we try our best to remember to switch lights off it’s not always practical to do so. However using sensor lights that turn themselves off can be a real cost saver. And no I’m not talking about the security style lights that you might have above your driveway. It’s possible to have sensors that are discrete that will switch lights on when you move into a space and then turn them off a short time later.

With home automation now at the point where you can turn the power off at the wall simply using your smart phone or tablet, there are now a lot of ways in which we can reduce our power consumption and lower those power bills.

But of course whilst this information on appliance power usage is highly relevant, the fact still remains that a home that is designed to take advantage of natural lighting and local climatic conditions is the greatest power saver of all.

This infographic has been reproduced with the kind permission of Juice Electrical Supplies. The original version in UK pounds can be found at this link: 

http://www.juiceelectricalsupplies.co.uk/wordpress/index.php/how-much-does-it-cost-to-power-your-home/

The post Here’s where you’re wasting money on power appeared first on Dion Seminara Architecture.

Who would want to live in an empty lifeless box? If you believe the hype of many designers the answer is: Most people! Much of what passes for modern interior design is focused on keeping interior spaces as clinical as possible. You can probably easily conjure up a mental image of the kind of design that I am talking about: empty spaces, straight lines, minimalist furniture and decoration. Such designs do, admittedly, have a certain visual appeal on the covers of magazines but would you want to live in such a space? For many people the answer to this question is a firm ‘No’. What they look for a in a home is a place where they can kick back and relax, where they can entertain, raise children and just be themselves. A ‘homely home’ in other words!

One of the many ways in which this ideal can be achieved is through the so-called Hamptons Style. The Hamptons are a series of small towns on Long Island where New Yorkers go to get away from it all. Because many of the homes in these towns started life as holiday homes the emphasis in interior design was firmly placed on enjoying the space. Over time, however, people began to realise that many of the very same design principles can be applied equally successfully to ‘everyday homes’. This resulted in the current worldwide popularity of this style. See this example of the Hamptons Style interior design in Kenmore, Brisbane Australia.

Interior Design Hamptons Style

It is difficult to point to a single defining feature of Hamptons Style; perhaps it is more of a case of ‘You’ll know it when you see it’. However, the common factor that binds all of the elements that make up the Hamptons Style together is the emphasis on creating a warm, welcoming and enjoyable space. Some of the ways in which this effect can be achieved are the following:

‘Homely’ Features, Furniture and Accessories:
Book cases, display niches, timber floors, solid (though not ostentatious) furniture, rugs and throws abound in Hampton Style homes. These features, furniture and accessories are often a seamless combination of contemporary and more traditional elements. If expertly combined by a competent designer all of these elements will seem to communicate: This is a space where you are welcome and that you should enjoy!

Use of Light:
Homes in the Hamptons Style capitalise on the abundance of natural light in the area. In practice this means ‘yes’ to large windows and ‘no’ to heavy dark curtains. Window coverings (e.g. shutters, semi transparent Holland blinds or linen drapes) are chosen to maintain privacy without shutting out all outside light.

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Up until recently the Building Code of Australia’s only requirement in relation to bedroom windows – those most at risk of children climbing through them – is that the window must possess a sill height of 865mm if the fall from the bottom of the window to the ground below is 4 metres or more.

But as of 1st May 2013 that has now changed.

The Building Code of Australia now requires that a bedroom window needs to provide protection if the floor below the window is 2 metres or more above the height of the surface (typically the ground) beneath the window itself. Note that this refers to the distance between the floor and the ground, not the window sill and the ground as shown in Diagram A.

These new regulations also only apply if the lowest part of the window opening is less than 1700mm above the floor as shown in Diagram B. Seemingly if the distance between the bottom of your window and the floor is greater than 1700mm it is considered too difficult for a child to access, similar to the way pool fence regulations work.

What happens if my window is not compliant?

So what do you need to do if the floor beneath your window is more than 2 metres above the ground outside with less than 1700mm between the floor and your window sill?

Well there are a couple of options both of which require some form of protection that stops a 125mm sphere from passing through.

One option is to physically stop the window from opening more than 125mm. Window locks are one possible option. If you have sliding windows fitting a secure lock that restricts how far the window can be opened is one option. Using louvers is another option that could be used to make sure your window is compliant.

Another option is to have a screen fitted to your window. However with both of these options you need to keep in mind that whatever you use needs to be child proof. The new regulations state that any restrictive device or screen needs to be able to withstand a force of 250 Newtons directed against it. A simple fly screen is not going to cut it.

And before you start to think that this is all pretty straightforward and all you need to do is get some window locks or some sturdy security screens fitted, keep in mind any other legislative requirements which might affect your chosen option. For example some potential solutions might impact on the natural ventilation in the room, or how about the ability to escape through the window in the event of something like a fire or flooding? In these circumstances you may need a device fitted to your screen that allows you to remove the screen in the event of an emergency.

If you are concerned that your bedroom windows are not compliant, or you simply want some advice on how to protect your windows, please feel free to contact us to discuss your particular needs.

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Tailored suits, shirts, blouses and skirts all sit perfectly. They are easy to wear because they work with you rather than restricting your movement. They don’t creep up, bunch up or cut in. They are simply delightful. You feel amazing when you put them on.

A home that has been tailored to your specific needs is just like beautiful tailored clothing. Sure you don’t wear it, but homes that haven’t been specifically designed for you can be just as uncomfortable as wearing an ill-fitting garment. They can hinder you movement, cramp your style and force you into unnecessary compromises. Existing in these spaces is a chore, not the delightful pleasure that a new home or renovation should be.

Off the shelf vs. custom built

So you’re about to build a new home or renovate an existing one. But what should your home design look like? What features should it include? What should be avoided?

Well the answer to all these questions and more is ‘It depends’. And what it depends on is you and your lifestyle. Exactly how your home should be designed depends on how you want to live in it and what you want out of it.

Now it’s very unlikely that any massed produced, ‘straight off the plans’ home has been designed specifically with your requirements in mind, and each renovation is obviously different. So to get the perfect home for you, you need to have it professionally designed.

I have previously covered the challenges with building designers and draftspeople so not counting them that leaves architects. But does going to an architect guarantee you a custom designed home? Well, sadly it doesn’t.

Not all architects are skilled designers and many unfortunately rehash their previous designs for new clients rather than custom designing something that will perfectly suit their client’s needs.

Sorry but I can’t stand that sort of thing. I have been in this industry for 29 years, spending 20 of those in private practice designing homes from scratch and never have I felt that close enough is good enough. The home needs to be designed to suit the owner’s needs, not simply have an old plan adapted to something that will fit on the block.

Something old for something new, but something borrowed not something blueprinted

Now let me be clear, I’m not saying that an architect shouldn’t open up his previous successful projects and consider them in relation to a new project he is about to undertake. But what I am saying is that he shouldn’t copy his earlier project exactly and try to make it work for his new client.

Real design skill allows for elements of earlier projects to be used, but as a whole that earlier project should be used as inspiration rather than as an exact template and even if the client LOVES the earlier design.

Yes you read that correctly, even if the client says ‘I LOVE that home you designed on such and such a street, I want you to build me one just like it’.

So why am I saying this? Well here’s the thing. If you went to a tailor and said ‘I love that suit you designed for my business partner, I want you to make one EXACTLY like it’ what do you think the tailor would do? Would they pull out the measurements they took of you business partner and start cutting the fabric or would they insist on measuring you up instead?

A skilled architect who truly cares about your needs rather than their profit margins would insist on getting to know more about you and your lifestyle before they started copying an earlier design.

But many don’t. Simply put it’s quicker for them to rehash an earlier design than it is to tailor a design specifically for you and when time is money many architects unfortunately choose the quick and easy route to their client’s detriment.

Ever wonder why some architects are cheaper than others? Well now you know. It’s because they reuse someone else’s design instead of giving you the perfect home for you.

So my recommendation is go with the tailored option. It might be OK to buy clothes straight off the rack, but when it comes to an investment in your home, rehashed or ‘off the rack’ designs have an uncomfortable way of creeping up and pinching you in all the wrong places.

The post A beautifully tailored home appeared first on Dion Seminara Architecture.

Read Brisbane News online (page 36/37)

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Kitchen lit by natural light

We’re not the cheapest; we prefer to focus on being the best and putting our energies into ensuring that our clients receive the very best product within their budgetary constraints. But for those of you who like to look straight at the bottom line when assessing quotes, are you really comparing apples with apples?

Have you factored in the added value of working with Dion Seminara Architecture when comparing quotes?

At Dion Seminara Architecture we add value in many ways. By added value I mean that our quote includes many benefits that other lower quotes don’t and can’t. But don’t just take my word for it; instead let’s have a look at just some of the many ways that we add value to our clients projects.

Great exterior and interior designs with Architect added value

Now sure, other designers are not going to admit that they make average – poor designs, but very few people make truly great home designs no matter whether you’re building new or renovating. We are one of those few.

When designing your home we focus very much on your lifestyle. Your home needs to suit the way you live, you shouldn’t need to compromise on your lifestyle because of a poorly designed home.

But it’s not only the unique lifestyle focus that makes our home exterior and interior design so stunning. We carefully consider the relationships of the rooms within your home to maximise the functionality of each space. We also create innovation links between the interior and exterior of your home so everything blends together and flows seamlessly.

Our careful consideration about form and balance ensures that your home will always be highly appealing regardless of changes in design trends. We also visually demonstrate the look and feel of your dream home to you before any work begins.

Another way that we add value over other companies is through what we call ‘staging’. Staging is where we plan for your dream home to be built in stages if your budget doesn’t allow you to have everything you want straight away. By creating designs that have the flexibility for future changes you don’t need to compromise on your long term goals.

Taking advantage of what you’ve got

Our designs take advantage of your block, your home and its opportunities. Each block is unique and offers advantages and disadvantages over other home blocks. By carefully considering the best way to take advantage of the good points whilst dealing with the negatives, we can get the maximum potential out of your home.

Unlike some other architects and drafts people, we do not rehash previous designs. We don’t do this because every project is different. Our designs take into careful consideration things like our climate so that we can maximise things like natural light and air flow, thus minimising the need to have lights on or air-conditioning or heating.

This is just another way that we add value over and above our competitors.

Getting the most out of your investment

Real estate prices clearly demonstrate that architecturally designed properties are more highly valued by those looking to buy a home. Therefore, working with Dion Seminara Architecture virtually assures you of getting a home that is higher in resale value than a home designed by a drafts person.

But we also save you money during the building process. All of our designs are based around your budget parameters. We don’t try to get you to spend more than you’ve got. We also provide you with realistic opinions of costs that are verified by obtaining independent cost estimates. More importantly, we make sure that our cost estimates make sense to you and that you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Getting multiple quotes from suitably skilled and reputable builders is vital in not only saving money, but in ensuring that you end up with a high quality construction. Because we put a lot of detail into your plans, we can get accurate building quotes from multiple builders which results in you getting the very best value for money.

Our own fees are very straightforward with no hidden costs. You know exactly what you need to pay and when.

Making your life easier

Another way that we add value over other competitors is by explaining things in an easy to understand way and then doing a lot of the hard work for you.

For example we consider and advise you on any council regulations and/or statutory controls that may affect your site and your intended project.

We also offer advice on building contracts ensuring that your best interests are catered for, and that there are no hidden dangers in the contracts that you are signing. We ensure that you only pay for work that is completed and that all work is done to the highest standards. If there is a problem, then we take care of the negotiation for you. This is just another way that we reduce your stress whilst protecting your interests.

Apples with apples

So when comparing quotes, make sure that you are comparing them based not solely on price, but on the additional value that each quote offers.

Like I said at the start, we are not the cheapest, we are the best. And if you want the very best outcome for your project I can confidently say that you will not find another company that comes even close to the value that we offer.

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT DION SEMINARA ARCHITECTURE.

The post Value Only an Architect Can Add appeared first on Dion Seminara Architecture.

I can’t even begin to understand how soul destroying that must be.

And now that the flood waters have receded we tell ourselves that it can’t possibly happen again, at least not next year. El Nino is surely just around the corner where we will once again be complaining of droughts. But then again it wasn’t meant to flood again this year either was it? This year was meant to be lower rainfall and less chance of flooding.

So what can we conclude from the fact that we were again inundated with flood waters for the third year in a row? Well to my way of thinking we can at least acknowledge the fact that we really have no idea what’s going to happen next year and accept the fact that we might have more flooding in 2014.

So the real question is what should we be doing about it?

Keeping the water out

It has been suggested that the state government should consider building levee walls and extra dams to mitigate against flooding around high risk areas such as Bundaberg which suffered badly again this year, and to their credit the government seem to be seriously looking at this possibility.

Levees and flood mitigating dams make a lot of sense. They are very expensive to build, but costs are relative in this case as the cost of rebuilding after damaging floods is significantly higher. Keeping the water out in the first place is a far better option than trying to clean up after the event.

But levees and dams are not the entire answer. Not every area is able to have a wall built around it, and many river systems already have a number of water catchments on them – the Burnett River basin which is responsible for flooding Bundaberg already has 26 storages on it – but this doesn’t mean that homes in those areas can’t aim to keep the water out. It’s simply a matter of thinking outside of the square.

Your very own personal levee

So how do you keep the water out of your property if there hasn’t been a flood mitigating dam or levee built in your area? Simple, you build your own.

Late last year I was contacted by a couple from New York whose home had unfortunately been inundated by Hurricane Sandy, and this is the basis of the advice that I shared with them.

To effectively build your own levee you need to create a structural block wall on all sides of your property. I say structural because as you can imagine it could potentially be holding back a huge weight of water, so it will need to be built to withstand a lot of pressure. A structural engineer should be engaged to ensure that your wall is indeed strong enough.

Next put a clear waterproofing sealer over the entire wall and then get it rendered. You will now have a wall that is designed to keep the water out. But of course you need to be able to get in and out of your property so by necessity there will be a few gaps in your walls.

All gates – entry, driveway etc – should be steel framed with a metal or equivalent lining. This of course won’t be water tight, but if built correctly it should be able to play its part in keeping the water out and sandbags can then be used to block any gaps.

Designed with inundation in mind

Obviously not everybody will be able to, or want to, go to the expense of building a flood levee wall around their home, so if keeping the water out is not an option then the next best thing will be to reduce the damage by having your home professionally designed to withstand inundation.

For this I would recommend an architect that has experience in this area. An architect that has already created an award winning flood resistant design.

Did I mention our win in the L J Hooker Flood Free Home Design Competition?

But seriously, if you live in a flood prone area, or know someone who is, please feel free to contact us to discuss your building options.

The post Brisbane will flood again, but will we learn from past mistakes? appeared first on Dion Seminara Architecture.

And of course a shortage of property has to eventually drive up prices, doesn’t it?

Well the founder of the Property Club, Kevin Young believes it does as he explained in a Suzanne Colville article on The World News Magazine.

“The significant demand for property in Brisbane is moving so quickly that developers are struggling to keep up. At The Property Club we have over 100 buyers waiting to invest, however sourcing completed suitable stock is becoming increasingly difficult. This is the tip of the iceberg of an ever growing Australian housing supply shortage,” Kevin said.

Of course I would expect someone in the property development market to suggest that the market is set to boom, but is it going to suddenly explode in the next 12-18 months given the state of finances in Europe and the US?

I must admit I’m not quite so sure. However I do agree that investing in property is a great idea regardless. But which properties are going to give the best returns?

Well time and again I see the properties that do best are those that have been well designed. The better homes sell faster and hold their value far better. So should you be rushing out and buying an investment property or investing in your own home?

Well of course that’s a matter for you to discuss with your financial advisor as each person’s situations can be quite different. Personally I would invest in renovating my own home for a future capital gain as I am not as confident of the markets medium term growth for average, un-renovated properties.

The post Will Brisbane’s housing shortage drive up prices? appeared first on Dion Seminara Architecture.

This article however will look at more environmentally friendly ways that you can cool your home that cost nothing at all to run.

Solution 3: Venturi Effect

Well clever architectural designs can offer a number of electronic free solutions and one of these is based around the Venturi Effect.

The Venturi Effect is the combination of the Bernoulli Effect and the Continuity Equation. But in case you’re not familiar with either of those things, let me instead explain it using a diagram.

Here we can see an opening at the top of house, which typically would be some louvers that can be opened and shut as required. The breeze passes through these louvers and then out the other side. The moving air draws in the air below it, in this case out of a particular room in a house. This effect is limited if the rest of the house is closed off, however opening windows, doors or low set louvers will allow fresh cool air to be drawn in from outside as the rising hot air is drawn out and away.

But whilst this system works well on days when there is a breeze blowing, what happens on those days when there is little to no breeze?

Solution 4: Thermal Buoyancy

Hot air – that is air that has been heated – is less dense than cold air. As a result of this the less dense hot air will always rise above the colder more dense air. This is why hot air rises and is the principle that allows hot air balloons to float above the ground and it is known as thermal buoyancy.

More relevant is the fact that thermal buoyancy is the principle that chimneys are built around. Hot air and rises up the chimney taking the smoke with it. Now if you light a fire in a fireplace and put a lot of green timber on before the coals build up a lot of heat you will probably quickly smoke the house out as the air in the fireplace is not yet hot enough to rise up the chimney quickly. However, when the fire is generating a lot of heat, that hot air rises up the chimney causing a difference in air pressure which causes the air immediately around the fireplace to be drawn in. This is known as a draft and helps keep the fire going by drawing in combustible air. This subtle drawing in of air stops the smoke from escaping into the room as it’s sucked up the chimney and expelled into the cooler denser air outside.

So what do open fires and chimneys have to do with cooling your home? Well actually plenty.

You see the principle of hot air rising and drawing in cooler dense air can aid in creating a draft through your home that can allow the hot air to escape whilst drawing cooler air inside as show in this diagram below:

The effectiveness of this system can be enhanced by creating what is known as a solar chimney. Solar chimneys are constructed of materials that allow for a higher level of heat transmission. In other words they heat the air inside them more quickly. The hotter the air inside the solar chimney the faster it rises, the faster it rises the greater the difference in air pressure the faster cooler air is drawn in through the lower louvers or open windows.

Glass is an effective material for heat transmission, therefore a wall of glass panels on the outside of the physical wall of the home could aid in the rapid heating of the air in the space between the two. Placing exhaust vents in the wall of the home would then result in the air inside the home to be drawn out quickly as the hot air rises in the solar chimney. Open a window on the opposite side of the home and air would circulate through creating comfortable conditions even if no breeze were blowing outside.

So as you can see this system, whilst often enhanced by any sort of a breeze, is not completely dependent on a breeze to be effective. At the very least this type of design can assist in driving the hot air out of your home in much the same way that driving with the windows down in your car sucks the hot air out allowing the air conditioning to be more effective more rapidly.

So if you’re looking for a natural, healthier way to cool your home that works even when the breezes have stopped blowing, talk to us about the options available for your home.

The post Part 2: Quick and easy home cooling alternatives appeared first on Dion Seminara Architecture.

Homes are a bit like that too. We go out during the day and leave the house securely locked up. Over the course of a hot summer’s day the air inside our home gets hotter and hotter, unable to circulate and mix with the breeze outside the home. As a result we come home to a very hot and stuffy house.

Solution 1: Air conditioning

A lot of people confronted with this situation will reach for the air conditioner remote and switch it on to cool their home. Now this tactic works but it takes a lot of time and at today’s power prices cost’s a fair bit of money. And that’s because the air inside your home has had all day to get hot. Now you’re trying to cool it instantly by pumping cold air in through your air conditioning unit. That cold air is running straight into the hot air that has nowhere to go; as a result it takes quite a while for the air conditioning to cool the hot air already trapped inside your home.

Now this really is the hard way to cool a home. Let me give you an example that better explains the point I am trying to make …

If you have ever parked your car outside in the sun for a few hours on a hot summer’s day you will know that when you open the door the heat inside your car is dangerously hot. So do you jump in and switch the air conditioning on flat out? Well I know I do, but I also wind the windows down and start driving to allow the hot air to escape while the cold air blows in through the air con.

If you’ve never done this before I urge you to try it. Within minutes your deadly hot car interior will be pleasantly cool and on the way to being cold. In just a few minutes the hot air is gone and you can put your windows up and relax in the comfort of your climate controlled environment.

So what’s this got to do with homes? Well you might think that you’ve guessed where I’m going with this but you might not be 100% correct.

If you guessed that I am suggesting that you open up your windows and doors and let the hot air escape then you’re partially correct. But it’s not as simple as just opening a window and hoping the hot air will blow away.

Solution 2: Home exhaust fans

You see the car example works best because the moving car sucks air in from the outside pushing the hot air out. But you’re house can’t move, so what happens on those days when there is little breeze and therefore little air movement?

Well for most people it’s a matter of waiting for the overworked air conditioner to slowly cool your home down, but there is another option.

There are a number of companies that produce natural home cooling systems that are based around large fans and vents. These fans are designed to suck rather than blow.

Typically these fans are mounted in the roof cavity. Directly underneath them are metal louvers that open up to allow air to be sucked up from the interior of your home. Essentially they work by sucking in air through your windows (you need to open your windows first) and then blowing it out through exhaust vents built into your eaves or placed on your roof. In effect these massive fans create the same effect as a moving car and can quickly replace the hot stale air (as well as any odours) from inside your home.

These systems claim to be able to naturally cool a home without the need for air conditioning on even the hottest, most still days where there is no breeze in sight. I personally think that might be a tad extreme and that on the very worst of days you might still need to switch on the air conditioner, but I’m sure these systems do a great job on most days and particularly at night.

And for those people who hate waking up with a sore throat from having the air conditioning on all night these systems offer a viable alternative, although you would probably want security screens fitted given that you do need to leave some windows open to allow the system to draw the outside air in.

Most of these systems have a very low running cost, certainly under that of most reverse cycle or ducted air conditioners, but what if there was a way to draw the heat out of your home without needing to run anything electrical at all?

Well there are a number of ways to do this that we will look at in part 2 of our search for effective home cooling solutions.

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