when you say you are blind, is your condition stable? or will it get worse with time beyond what is normal for people growing older?
Because if you know that your eyes will get worse, then I would definitely recommend single story.
Browse Forums General Discussion Re: Feeling a little lost. 22Jul 16, 2019 7:41 pm My build with Inspired/ Como Homes: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=93656 Re: Feeling a little lost. 29Jul 24, 2019 1:11 am My build with Inspired/ Como Homes: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=93656 Re: Feeling a little lost. 38Jul 24, 2019 10:23 pm My build with Inspired/ Como Homes: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=93656 Re: Feeling a little lost. 39Jul 24, 2019 10:47 pm My build with Inspired/ Como Homes: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=93656 Re: Feeling a little lost. 40Jul 25, 2019 10:25 am ben888 @ddarroch it's great that you're promoting energy efficiency and thinking about environmental issues when building, but in terms of the build, the size of the house itself matters very little compared with all the other measures that are involved. Things like the actual build materials, the insulation of walls, floor, roof and windows, recyclable water, and energy efficient heating, cooling, lighting and appliances. You're better off having a 8 star rated larger house, than a 5 star rated smaller house. Nowadays, you can even build a whole zero-carbon skyscraper - which just shows size is not that important when in comes to being environmentally friendly! But don't forget about "embodied energy". It's not just about the energy it takes to operate a home, but also the energy it takes to manufacture & transport a home's components. This embodied energy is a significant proportion of the overall energy consumed over a home's life. Particularly if high embodied energy materials are used, like concrete, steel & aluminium. Obviously a larger home, built out of the same materials as a smaller home, will have a higher embodied energy. Also, other than getting orientation right (which is free), most improvements in energy efficiency come at a cost. Increasing insulation levels in the walls & ceiling, edge-of-slab or under-slab insulation (if it's appropriate), higher performing windows, solar PV panels, solar thermal or heat pump hot water, north facing polished concrete floors, heat recovery ventilation. Like most people, I'm sure the OP has limited funds. They're more likely to be able to afford some of these improvements if they save money on the build costs by building a smaller, well designed home, instead of a larger home. |