Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 09, 2014 6:51 pm The construction of our MgO SIP house is now underway with the first SIPS panels installed on Friday. I'd like to share the solar chimney concept that I am utilising. Unlike conventional stack type solar chimneys, this chimney has a very low profile....at 10deg to the horizontal. The methodology is that the substantial collector area of 22m2, facing NNW will provide maximum thermal updraught (afternoon) for 1 month either side of the summer solar solstice. http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/stevesakiwi/thermalchimney3_zpse5d63d83.jpg This chimney draws air from 2 ceiling vents (with winter dampners)....one draws air from living/dining spaces & the other from the hall directly adjacent to the master bedroom. The heated air escapes via one long vent at the apex of the structure. The structure will be built with MgO SIPS & incorporate an enclosed "black" colorbond "roof". http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/stevesakiwi/thermalchimney2_zps2d599ed6.gif his is further augmented with geothermal cooling:- pipes have been buried behind the sandstone wall that sits as retaining under the first floor. The soil temperature currently sits at 23/24deg. The plan is that during extreme heat days (>35deg), all openings are closed. The cooling pipes connect to floor vents in the living room & master bedroom. It is hoped that the thermal draught will create enough negative internal pressure so that exterior air is drawn through the buried pipes and enters the structure through the floor vents. I have my doubts as the envelop needs to be very airtight & my partner desired a number of louver windows....the aim is that the cooling system is almost passive. However, if that doesn't work, I'll install an inline axial fan to draw air into the building via the buried pipes. http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/stevesakiwi/thermalchimney4_zps6c0ca04b.jpg The first SIP walls have been installed & the sandstone retaining blocks can be seen in the lower center of the photo. Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 4Feb 10, 2014 6:34 am Thanks folks for the feedback, Yes, I'm a designer & undertaking this project, in Ipswich QLD, as an owner builder. I have been involved as a technical advisor & with the development of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) for over 4 years. This project uses SIPS with Magnesium Oxide board (MgO) skins. SIPS provide excellent affordability.....by far the cheapest walls system around, they're fast to install & you get more bang for your buck with R-value....this house is rated at over 8 Stars & is being built on the smell of an oily rag!!!! Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 5Feb 10, 2014 7:17 am This is similar to a client of mines house that was extensively added to and renovated a few years ago but using a slightly different approach. They installed a "whole house fan " ( a big slow revving fan ) in the roof powered by solar that drew air from the lower two levels that in turn sucked in air from below their basement and lower floor area ( all sandstone walls and piers ) via floor vents. It seemed to work pretty well and they say there has never been a need to install aircon. I had another client that finished his house about a year ago that used 75mm MgO panels on the outside but he used the panels mounted on battens affixed to normal timber stud frames. Good luck with the build and keep us posted with updates. Stewie Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 6Feb 10, 2014 12:03 pm Thanks for the feedback Stewie.....I hope I won't need aircon too.....like the idea of the "whole house fan". My intention with the solar chimney is also as an architectural feature & to provide weather protection to the entrance. We can also do the MgO cladding as you describe....way cheaper than Hebel & with better R-value..... The 120mm SIP panels in this project are structural & there's no need for studs.....simplicity of construction. http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/stevesakiwi/sip2_zps575cb2de.jpg Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 7Feb 10, 2014 2:27 pm Sorry to ask a boring and mundane question but I don't know much about SIPs. Do you have to paint them regularly like weatherboard? Are they easy to put up? Or do they put builders (apart from Stewie) off? The problem for most of us is that the available land is on estates and a lot of estates want brick or, at the very least, "painted" brick. Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 8Feb 10, 2014 2:39 pm Wow Posting to follow - I love the look of the house <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=62083">viewtopic.php?t=62083</a><!-- l --> Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 9Feb 10, 2014 6:34 pm Hi Liliana, SIPS are extremely easy to put up....especially if plans detailing 3D overviews are provided....just like following a kids Lego Model Block plan. Yes, some builders can charge a nuisance factor, but many are prepared to give it a go....particularly those involved with eco-building, as they see that this concept is the future of building. Typically, SIPS are rendered with a textured finish, such as Rockcote or Dulux Acratex. Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 10Feb 12, 2014 4:56 pm The installation of the SIPS panels is progressing well....quite fun to work with but, boy are they 'white' in full sun....just like snow http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/stevesakiwi/sip3_zpsfbca6599.jpg The maximum height of panels is 3000....this will be stud max height in the living area. Roof will be a mono-pitch at a very flat 2deg....therefore most spaces will have heights ranging from 2400 to over 2800. http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/stevesakiwi/sip4_zps101e75b2.jpg This is speedy construction as the internal lining & exterior are installed as panels erected....only need flush plaster to finish....paint interior side & textured render to exterior Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 12Mar 23, 2014 8:48 am Yes, it's a pity that SIP's are taking a while to get established here in Australia & NZ......yet this technology is one of the fastest growing building systems north of the equator. Well, after a 2 week wait, we have finally got the roof on!!! http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/stevesakiwi/roof1_zpseb9a887a.jpg The SIP system has been very versatile....we've changed window sizes on several occasions...very simple....just cut out or add to the SIP to provide new size....would normally take hours with sticks....but a few minutes with SIPS! We're using the 'waste' off cuts to create the detailing to give the windows extra depth. http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/stevesakiwi/roof2_zps46896dd6.jpg The house has a large deck that wraps around to the north & overlooks a bushy gully....you're truly amongst the treetops on the north elevation....this is the 'dining' deck' that has a servery window to the kitchen. http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/stevesakiwi/roof3_zpsd7837428.jpg This is the entrance courtyard.....the solar chimney will cover this to provide protection....we've used 'Slate Grey' Oztuff composite (recycled materials) decking...very sharp & all hidden fixings. Entrance deck will extend towards the black stake.....This courtyard will be enclosed with a SIP panel 2m wall to provide a monolithic fence.....there will be an entrance gate that will conceal the courtyard so that there is a succession of 'reveals' as you get to the front door. Look forward to comments....Steve Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 13Mar 23, 2014 9:00 am Hi Steve, Thanks for posting some photos of your progress. Some questions about the Ozstuff composite decking - I can see from their website that it is a wood plastic composite. Does it get as hot in the sun as Modwood? I've seen somebody elsewhere who used Modwood for their deck say that it was impossible to walk on in the summer because it heated up so much. Or will yours be covered? Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 14Mar 23, 2014 3:45 pm Hi Liliana, Yes....the decking gets very hot & expands & contracts a lot. However, now that I have a roof on, most of the 60m2+ deck is in shade, so no more hot feet. I did not like Modwood as it was too 'plasticky'......the OZtuff boards are 150mm wide with sharp edges...other composite boards have radius edges. We like the clean, sharp lines with hidden fixing. The wood grain texture is not 'over the top' Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 15Mar 30, 2014 8:18 am It’s fantastic to see your progress on your new home using MgO Sips and letting us see your progress Your new home looks great and I am sure is will function well during summer and winter. What is your energy rating score that you achieved with your design and MgO Sips system? I was searching on the internet for MgO SIPs this week and found a web site that is using MgO Sips panels not unlike yours, maybe they have sourced them from the same people as you have. They have an 8,2 star energy rating and in talking with them they are not installing any air-conditioning or ducted heating. The web site address is www.smartsips.com.au it might be worth looking at their site, they have lot’s of photos posted as well and the home looks great. Mgo Sips looks like a great building system. Maybe you guys could share info and help each other with your MgO Sips experience Good luck with the rest of your build. Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 16Mar 30, 2014 6:01 pm Sip houses are great alternative, we build SIP homes using bondor InsulLiving panels. Once completed they look amassing and give you fabulous R rating. Your project looks challenging plus its steep block of land. I have seen few SIP projects gone wrong, and built by good builders, so be careful, its not that simple as it looks. Keep it positive. Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 17Mar 30, 2014 6:35 pm We would have been keen to find someone to consider building a custom house with SIPS. In the end we have decided to go with a known quantity with a project home builder... It will be great to see this industry pick up and have more certainty on costs on building with SIPS (rather than statements that it's cheaper ) Thanks @efficient design for sharing -- keep it up as it's all good info. Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 18Mar 30, 2014 10:51 pm Very interesting. Will follow this one Re: Unique Solar Chimney in new SIP construction house 19Mar 31, 2014 4:30 pm Many thanks for comments. The house was assessed with the 'comparison method' & therefore doesn't have a Star Rating as such, but energy usage rates at around a very conservative 8.5 Stars. Yes, I'm aware of SmartSIPS, but there are slight differences in the systems....this system is more affordable. I understand what 'yvonneh' is saying. I've been involved with SIPS development for some 4 years & the concept is proving cheaper than 'conventional' construction...BUT you're also achieving far higher energy ratings. I could never build this 8.5 Star house, on difficult land, out of sticks for $1000/m2!....& there are some highspec items going into the house....we just purchased an entrance pivot door for just over $2,300. http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/stevesakiwi/roof4_zps88570893.jpg Kitchen servery window opening onto deck overlooking bush. The colorbond ceiling in this zone will be overlaid with hardwood ply (looks like Larch) that will be given a lime wash finish. http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/stevesakiwi/roof6_zpsbca7bc57.jpg Stud height in living is just over 3m. The large opening looks onto a garden that is a feature of the entrance deck. The Solar Chimney will provide weather protection to this deck. Once again:- the colorbond ceiling will have the ply overlay. The price you're seeing for a high-spec 2-storey home in Perth sounds steep, but unfortunately, it's kind of the norm these… 8 7857 I can help you with all that, you can PM me with details if you wish 3 5835 I looked into it a few years ago and my conclusion was to just build a carport that will support panels and get a system installed separately. The company I looked at had… 1 6481 |