No more power bills

THE owners of this Inglewood house have not paid an energy bill for years.

In fact, their energy company owes them $1500.

Vendor Karen O’Donahoo says the savings are all because of smart design and her 3.15 kilowatt solar panels.

It was just days from winter when the Voice visited but you could still sun-bake in the open lounge/dining/entertaining area at the back of the house and get a tan.

There is little need for heating because the sun’s warmth lingers with the help of thermal mass floors and big, glass bi-fold doors which face due north to let the light shine in.

I get uncomfortably warm standing there dressed in opaque stockings and a jumper—until we walk towards the front bedrooms where the temperature dips sharply.

“This is how cold the entire house used to be before the renovations,” Ms O’Donahoo says.

The 1948 art deco house had offered limited sunlight before the 2011 renovation. Now there are large double-glazed windows, a retractable awning over the patio and underfloor heating in the lounge area as well as the main bedroom’s ensuite.

So slip out of bed and find solace from the winter chill with a shower and preheated floors (you can set a timer on the underfloor heating).

Other clever features include a washing line which is in the perfect position to reach more sun in winter than summer.

This three-bedroom house is also a hoarder’s dream because of all the storage space. The next owner would get a built-in wardrobe, a large storage room near the large laundry, insulated backyard workshop and kitchen with many cupboards.

“I even have a tea draw,” says Ms O’Donahoo while taking me through the kitchen.

“It’s a kitchen you want to be in.”

There is a spa in the backyard beside the cissus vines, and Chinese tallow and crepe myrtle.

At the front are lime, peach and nectarine trees, nestled among raised vegie patches with a plethora of edible goodies such as spinach, kale, capsicum and coriander.

After visiting Ms O’Donahoo’s home, I’m persuaded every house should be built just like this. It functions well. And just imagine how much money people could save.

by EMMIE DOWLING

38 Sexton Road, Inglewood
From $1.049 million
Carlos Lehn | 0416 206 736
Acton Mount Lawley | 9272 2488