Turner Cottage

This double brick cottage was built in the 1940s on a large block in inner Canberra and then extended in the early 2000s. The homeowners had lived there for 29 years and wanted to stay into retirement, but it was very cold over winter which aggravated their health issues. They thought the only way they could be comfortable was to build a new secondary residence out the back to move into when they retired, and they asked us to investigate this possibility.

It was possible but it came with a substantial price tag of between $350,000 and $450,000 (in 2018). Another option was a significant renovation and extension of the existing home to create two houses in one – also doable but also at a hefty cost.

We also modelled the home’s energy performance and concluded that it was possible to improve its thermal performance massively and quite cost-effectively. We suggested that the homeowners try some simple, relatively inexpensive solutions first, and if that didn’t work, then proceed with a major renovation or a new residence. Our recommendations focused on draught-sealing and insulation. Our science team conducted a full assessment, including blower door testing and thermal imaging, so we could advise them exactly what to fix and where.

The clients were sceptical, but they gave it a go. They spent $15,000 (in 2019. This included our testing and advisory services, plus gap sealing (particularly at the junction of the walls and floors in the extension), installing insulation in the walls of the original cottage, improving ceiling insulation throughout (especially around light fittings), and getting new curtains and pelmets in the main living area.

We returned several months later (in 2020) to test the air leakage rate again, and discovered the clients had reduced it by 50 per cent. Despite working from home during the COVID-19 lockdown, their energy bills for winter 2020 were down by nearly half on the previous year, equating to a $300 saving each quarter. They also had lower bills over the summer of 2019-2020 when Canberra experienced serious heat waves and terrible smoke-filled skies.

The most dramatic effect however was their improved comfort – they now want to stay in the home as it is, and no longer have plans to knock it down, extend it, or build a secondary residence. They have volunteered their backyard to be part of a fabulous community urban farming project, and so instead of a new building taking up their land there are very happy chooks and a large thriving vegie garden.

You can read more about the clients’ experience in their own words here: bit.ly/TurnerCottage