How to Design and Build an Energy Efficient, Zero Carbon Home, with Melanie Lupis, Sustainability Certified [Part 2 of 2 Episodes]

Hello! This is Episode 263, and in it, I’m continuing my conversation with Melanie Lupis from Sustainability Certified about how to design and build an energy efficient, zero carbon home. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/263] This is Part 2 of my conversation. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, you can find it in Episode 262. Just head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/262 to listen now or download the free PDF transcript. As we continue the conversation in this episode, Melanie shares with me her thoughts on NatHERS and Passive House. Being certified to assess with both modelling tools, she has great perspective to share on them both. We also talk about the True Zero Carbon Challenge that Design Matters National ran in 2022, and Melanie entered with building designer, Lachy McEwan, from Harmonic Design.  The aim of the True Zero Carbon Challenge was to design a home that not only produces more power than it uses over the year; through energy-efficient design, careful appliance selection, and photovoltaic integration.  Entries also had to consider and calculate embodied carbon in material selection, and to put on enough extra photovoltaic panels to pay back the home's entire carbon debt by 2050* (based on today’s carbon intensity). Thermal Performance Assessors or Energy Efficiency Assessors, as they’re also known, paired up with Building Designers and Architects to create a home design and assess its energy efficiency and carbon footprint.  At the time of recording this episode, Melanie and Lachy had submitted their entry, and were waiting to hear the results.  Well, I’m super excited to share that they were declared the NSW State Winners - isn’t that fantastic!  You’ll hear Melanie talk more in detail about how she and Lachy worked together to design and assess the home in preparation for entering, and what insights it gave her for all home designs. I think you’ll find it really interesting. If you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, plus information on the resources we discuss, you can do that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/263 Now, let’s dive in! SHOW NOTES: If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your efforts, energy and money to get a great outcome in your future home, I’ve created something super helpful for you. Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.  Plus, I’ll share with you what to focus on and when, so you know you’re getting everything in order for a successful project and beautiful home. And you’ll get access to some great bonuses as well. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/263 Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.