Building on a rural block
Dec 11th 2004, 2:46 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Capricornia, QLD
Posts: 21
Building on a rural block
This is for anyone considering building on a rural block so
you avoid possibly walking away from your piece of paradise.
We wanted to live in "the bush" and our plan was to build
from scratch. We used a number of real estate agents who
showed us some quite stunning blocks which we'd have
snapped up however, the draw back was always the lack
power to the block since it would cost $000s to get
connected. We eventually bought a 25 acre block with
a smallish house on it which had mains power connected.
Our block is basically 15 acres cleared and 10
uncleared, as I said the house is small so an extension
was needed, we thought about how then decided rather than
extend we'd build a self contained guest cottage in the
uncleared part of the block so, off to the builders ...........
This is when we discovered that we could have had
any block we had seen regardless of mains power being
available why?, because we could have installed solar
power. Once I realised how available it is I researched
it and even visited folks who have it installed. It's
so simple you don't even have to be a mathematician
to work out what size system you'll need
As far as
installation costs are concerned it worked out about
the same as getting mains power even if you had a power
pole at the end of your land and, the best thing is that
most state governments will actually refund you about
a 1/3rd of the installation costs plus, you never have
a power bill again, it's a win win situation.
I wished we'd had known how easy solar power was
when we first started looking for land as we'd never
have dismissed many of the beautiful blocks we saw.
I can only surmise that the real agents didn't know
about it as I'm sure they'd have wanted to sell
me something
Bob
you avoid possibly walking away from your piece of paradise.
We wanted to live in "the bush" and our plan was to build
from scratch. We used a number of real estate agents who
showed us some quite stunning blocks which we'd have
snapped up however, the draw back was always the lack
power to the block since it would cost $000s to get
connected. We eventually bought a 25 acre block with
a smallish house on it which had mains power connected.
Our block is basically 15 acres cleared and 10
uncleared, as I said the house is small so an extension
was needed, we thought about how then decided rather than
extend we'd build a self contained guest cottage in the
uncleared part of the block so, off to the builders ...........
This is when we discovered that we could have had
any block we had seen regardless of mains power being
available why?, because we could have installed solar
power. Once I realised how available it is I researched
it and even visited folks who have it installed. It's
so simple you don't even have to be a mathematician
to work out what size system you'll need
As far asinstallation costs are concerned it worked out about
the same as getting mains power even if you had a power
pole at the end of your land and, the best thing is that
most state governments will actually refund you about
a 1/3rd of the installation costs plus, you never have
a power bill again, it's a win win situation.
I wished we'd had known how easy solar power was
when we first started looking for land as we'd never
have dismissed many of the beautiful blocks we saw.
I can only surmise that the real agents didn't know
about it as I'm sure they'd have wanted to sell
me something
Bob
Dec 11th 2004, 3:07 pm
#2
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,129
Re: Building on a rural block
Originally Posted by rlhume
This is for anyone considering building on a rural block so
you avoid possibly walking away from your piece of paradise.
We wanted to live in "the bush" and our plan was to build
from scratch. We used a number of real estate agents who
showed us some quite stunning blocks which we'd have
snapped up however, the draw back was always the lack
power to the block since it would cost $000s to get
connected. We eventually bought a 25 acre block with
a smallish house on it which had mains power connected.
Our block is basically 15 acres cleared and 10
uncleared, as I said the house is small so an extension
was needed, we thought about how then decided rather than
extend we'd build a self contained guest cottage in the
uncleared part of the block so, off to the builders ...........
This is when we discovered that we could have had
any block we had seen regardless of mains power being
available why?, because we could have installed solar
power. Once I realised how available it is I researched
it and even visited folks who have it installed. It's
so simple you don't even have to be a mathematician
to work out what size system you'll need As far as
installation costs are concerned it worked out about
the same as getting mains power even if you had a power
pole at the end of your land and, the best thing is that
most state governments will actually refund you about
a 1/3rd of the installation costs plus, you never have
a power bill again, it's a win win situation.
I wished we'd had known how easy solar power was
when we first started looking for land as we'd never
have dismissed many of the beautiful blocks we saw.
I can only surmise that the real agents didn't know
about it as I'm sure they'd have wanted to sell
me something
Bob
you avoid possibly walking away from your piece of paradise.
We wanted to live in "the bush" and our plan was to build
from scratch. We used a number of real estate agents who
showed us some quite stunning blocks which we'd have
snapped up however, the draw back was always the lack
power to the block since it would cost $000s to get
connected. We eventually bought a 25 acre block with
a smallish house on it which had mains power connected.
Our block is basically 15 acres cleared and 10
uncleared, as I said the house is small so an extension
was needed, we thought about how then decided rather than
extend we'd build a self contained guest cottage in the
uncleared part of the block so, off to the builders ...........
This is when we discovered that we could have had
any block we had seen regardless of mains power being
available why?, because we could have installed solar
power. Once I realised how available it is I researched
it and even visited folks who have it installed. It's
so simple you don't even have to be a mathematician
to work out what size system you'll need
As far asinstallation costs are concerned it worked out about
the same as getting mains power even if you had a power
pole at the end of your land and, the best thing is that
most state governments will actually refund you about
a 1/3rd of the installation costs plus, you never have
a power bill again, it's a win win situation.
I wished we'd had known how easy solar power was
when we first started looking for land as we'd never
have dismissed many of the beautiful blocks we saw.
I can only surmise that the real agents didn't know
about it as I'm sure they'd have wanted to sell
me something
Bob
I still want to be no more than an hours drive to Brisbane city.
Lynn
Dec 11th 2004, 3:36 pm
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Capricornia, QLD
Posts: 21
Re: Building on a rural block
Originally Posted by lynnlovessun
Thanks for the advice Bob. When we move to Brisbane next year, we will rent 1st but def want to buy rural land - not anywhere near 15 acres though - maybe just 2-3 acres at most. Solar power sounds good, especially as you won't get any bills for it! I think mains water is also important unless you want to be rationing your water out of tanks. Where are you living now?
I still want to be no more than an hours drive to Brisbane city.
Lynn
I still want to be no more than an hours drive to Brisbane city.
Lynn
We're about 700 kms north of brisbane our nearest "big" town is
Rockhampton about 100kms away.
I hear what you say about town water, we have 2 x 5000 gallon tanks
and even with being very water wise we've had to buy in 3 lots of fresh
water this year, after saying that it has been a VERY dry year,
fortunately we've had a good bit of rain this week.
Bob
Dec 11th 2004, 7:41 pm
#4
Can't re member
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Goolwa, near Adelaide
Posts: 389
Re: Building on a rural block
Originally Posted by rlhume
we could have installed solar power.
My misses took that route at her property about 4 years ago. It was cheaper to buy solar than to get the power brought in some 400 metres.
When we build on our new property we'll probably have a cheap solar backup power supply for lighting and a socket or two, but for our power needs we felt we wouldn't get enough of a kick out of a solar system alone so we opted to pay $20k to bring mains to the site. We're building a large house and solar wouldn't be able to keep up with aircon or welding equipment for the farm etc.
My wife's solar system cost $40k, half of which was rebated by the government. Systems are now cheaper and more efficient. Hers still needs to be "topped up" weekly by a diesel generator during winter.
Depending on what's now available, we might get a solar backup that can also sell power back into the grid
Dec 11th 2004, 7:48 pm
#5
Can't re member
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Goolwa, near Adelaide
Posts: 389
Re: Building on a rural block
Originally Posted by rlhume
I hear what you say about town water, we have 2 x 5000 gallon tanks
and even with being very water wise we've had to buy in 3 lots of fresh
water this year, after saying that it has been a VERY dry year,
fortunately we've had a good bit of rain this week.
and even with being very water wise we've had to buy in 3 lots of fresh
water this year, after saying that it has been a VERY dry year,
fortunately we've had a good bit of rain this week.
Dec 11th 2004, 11:05 pm
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,397
Re: Building on a rural block
I'm surprised that you could generate enough electricity from solar to anything like run a house, pool etc. From memory every sq. m on the planet gets on average 1.5KW from the sun, but IIRC the efficiency of direct solar>electricity conversion is pretty low. Surely an enormous pv area would be needed, with the consequent installation and maintenance costs?
I'd be happy to be shown current figures, since we've almost given up on finding a half-decent house around Sydney and might be re-emigrating to the bush!
I'd be happy to be shown current figures, since we've almost given up on finding a half-decent house around Sydney and might be re-emigrating to the bush!
Dec 11th 2004, 11:44 pm
#7
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Cairns, Qld.
Posts: 2,863
Re: Building on a rural block
Originally Posted by Rog Williams
I'm surprised that you could generate enough electricity from solar to anything like run a house, pool etc. From memory every sq. m on the planet gets on average 1.5KW from the sun, but IIRC the efficiency of direct solar>electricity conversion is pretty low. Surely an enormous pv area would be needed, with the consequent installation and maintenance costs?
I'd be happy to be shown current figures, since we've almost given up on finding a half-decent house around Sydney and might be re-emigrating to the bush!
I'd be happy to be shown current figures, since we've almost given up on finding a half-decent house around Sydney and might be re-emigrating to the bush!
To get the hot water for all of these things, I would consider passive solar heating, which cuts out the need for the 'middle-man' of photo-voltaic cells, as it's direct conversion of solar energy to heat.
The efficiency of both systems has advanced apace in recent years, so watch this space for news on new innovations and improvements.....
But then of course you can just be more energy conscious and use less energy to start with!
Dec 12th 2004, 3:24 am
#8
Banned
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,048
Re: Building on a rural block
Clothes you boil in a wood fired copper - helps remove the axle grease.
Hot water for showers in a (wood) chip heater or a coil behind the fire bricks in the slow combustion stove if you are flush.
Get a valve radio - turn it around and open the back - you can read by the light of the filaments while listen.
Hot water for showers in a (wood) chip heater or a coil behind the fire bricks in the slow combustion stove if you are flush.
Get a valve radio - turn it around and open the back - you can read by the light of the filaments while listen.
Dec 12th 2004, 8:56 am
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,576
Re: Building on a rural block
I think you are being very optomistic thinking you can exist without mains power. I agree water heating is the biggest power consumer and solar hot water is a viable proposition in Queensland which solves that problem. But the ammount of solar panels and batteries you would require for just lighting and a few electrical goods would be exorbitant. You would also have to use a gas fridge and gas cooking.
Also forget a/c, hair dyers, washing m/c's, TV, etc as they would drain too much power.
Their has been quite a few programs about this subject this last year as now all electricty bills contain an ambulance levy and some people refused to pay the levy and so they were in default of their power bill and a small hard line minority had their power cut off. The programs showed how they were coping without mains power, and none were doing very well (most had bought generators to provide some power).
So it is possible but your looking at a very basic existance.
Also forget a/c, hair dyers, washing m/c's, TV, etc as they would drain too much power.
Their has been quite a few programs about this subject this last year as now all electricty bills contain an ambulance levy and some people refused to pay the levy and so they were in default of their power bill and a small hard line minority had their power cut off. The programs showed how they were coping without mains power, and none were doing very well (most had bought generators to provide some power).
So it is possible but your looking at a very basic existance.
Dec 12th 2004, 9:00 am
#10
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,129
Re: Building on a rural block
Originally Posted by Kiwipaul
I think you are being very optomistic thinking you can exist without mains power. I agree water heating is the biggest power consumer and solar hot water is a viable proposition in Queensland which solves that problem. But the ammount of solar panels and batteries you would require for just lighting and a few electrical goods would be exorbitant. You would also have to use a gas fridge and gas cooking.
Also forget a/c, hair dyers, washing m/c's, TV, etc as they would drain too much power.
Their has been quite a few programs about this subject this last year as now all electricty bills contain an ambulance levy and some people refused to pay the levy and so they were in default of their power bill and a small hard line minority had their power cut off. The programs showed how they were coping without mains power, and none were doing very well (most had bought generators to provide some power).
So it is possible but your looking at a very basic existance.
Also forget a/c, hair dyers, washing m/c's, TV, etc as they would drain too much power.
Their has been quite a few programs about this subject this last year as now all electricty bills contain an ambulance levy and some people refused to pay the levy and so they were in default of their power bill and a small hard line minority had their power cut off. The programs showed how they were coping without mains power, and none were doing very well (most had bought generators to provide some power).
So it is possible but your looking at a very basic existance.
I like my home comforts me - although would also like to do my bit for the environment.
Lynn
Dec 12th 2004, 9:09 am
#11
Can't re member
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Goolwa, near Adelaide
Posts: 389
Re: Building on a rural block
Originally Posted by Kiwipaul
But the ammount of solar panels and batteries you would require for just lighting and a few electrical goods would be exorbitant. You would also have to use a gas fridge and gas cooking. Also forget a/c, hair dyers, washing m/c's, TV, etc as they would drain too much power.
The solar panels sat on the roof facing north. They'd easily fit on most house roofs. The batteries occupied the space of a typical british garden shed. I was told that they were fork-lift type batteries. Technology has improved a lot in 4 years.
Living with solar is not primitive, you just have to research in advance and do the sums to figure out what appliances you can run. You can also suplement your solar with a wind turbine if your topography allows.
Dec 12th 2004, 9:15 am
#12
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Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Melbourne - the worlds most livable city
Posts: 964
Re: Building on a rural block
Originally Posted by lynnlovessun
Yup don't think entire solar power would be for me, as I will definately need A/C, Use my hairdryer every day etc. etc. I think I will take power lines into consideration when I am looking at plots of land (and mains water!)
I like my home comforts me - although would also like to do my bit for the environment.
Lynn
I like my home comforts me - although would also like to do my bit for the environment.
Lynn
There are houses in oz that are totally solar powered. By building your house properly, using proper insulation, natural protection etc. you can make your home almost 100% eco friendly. This is the option I'm looking at, even though my other half thinks I'm a bit weird and has promised me he'd NEVER live in a straw bale house, let alone build one with me.
Have a look at these sites for more info.
http://www.ecologicalhomes.com.au/econewsOct02.htm
http://www.earthgarden.com.au/links.html
Dec 12th 2004, 9:17 am
#13
Banned
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,048
Re: Building on a rural block
Forgot to add:
Get up earlyish, say around 5 if you like a lie-in, and chase the cow around the house paddock for a small bucket of milk.
After milking, stoke up the kitchen stove and put the porridge on. Separate the milk and feed the pig with the skim. Enjoy the porridge for a full 5 minutes. When you've churned the cream into butter, the hot water should be ready for a 1 minute shower of lovely rainwater.
6 am and you're ready for a hearty day's work.
...
Who really needs reality TV anyway - waste of battery power.
Get up earlyish, say around 5 if you like a lie-in, and chase the cow around the house paddock for a small bucket of milk.
After milking, stoke up the kitchen stove and put the porridge on. Separate the milk and feed the pig with the skim. Enjoy the porridge for a full 5 minutes. When you've churned the cream into butter, the hot water should be ready for a 1 minute shower of lovely rainwater.
6 am and you're ready for a hearty day's work.
...
Who really needs reality TV anyway - waste of battery power.
Dec 12th 2004, 12:03 pm
#14
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Redneck Wonderland
Posts: 9,932
Re: Building on a rural block
Originally Posted by G'Day
There are houses in oz that are totally solar powered. By building your house properly, using proper insulation, natural protection etc. you can make your home almost 100% eco friendly. This is the option I'm looking at, even though my other half thinks I'm a bit weird and has promised me he'd NEVER live in a straw bale house, let alone build one with me.
Have a look at these sites for more info.
http://www.ecologicalhomes.com.au/econewsOct02.htm
http://www.earthgarden.com.au/links.html
Have a look at these sites for more info.
http://www.ecologicalhomes.com.au/econewsOct02.htm
http://www.earthgarden.com.au/links.html
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewab.../raps-cs2.html
http://www.qld.gov.au/grants/ssq/fil...nd%20Resources
Straw bale homes by huff n puff and they say Aussies have no sense of humour
http://strawbale.archinet.com.au/Index.htm
Dec 12th 2004, 7:19 pm
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,397
Re: Building on a rural block
There are two considerations here: Your own personal expenditure - INCLUDING MAINTENANCE COSTS LONG TERM - and the total costs (with the same proviso).
I am not convinced that individual power generation makes economic sense overall.
Self-evidently, water heating for pools etc will be economic, but as for a home as a whole, weeelllll.........
I am not convinced that individual power generation makes economic sense overall.
Self-evidently, water heating for pools etc will be economic, but as for a home as a whole, weeelllll.........