The power to electrify a Stonnington Apartment
When sisters Emma and Victoria invested in a South Yarra apartment building, the opportunities for improvement were obvious. When they discovered the switch to all modern, all-electric appliances wasn’t easily available to them, they found other ways to improve their home.
1960s low rise brick apartment buildings are a common across inner Melbourne. What they might lack in slick, modern appeal, they make up for with their more spacious interiors and outdoor spaces.
Emma and Victoria’s building was already all-electric. They tried to switch the dated electric cook top for modern induction, but were told they needed to install another circuit. This extra cost pushed the project out of budget so they turned to other ways to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and livability of their home, and its grounds.
Old single glazed aluminum windows were replaced with double glazed units, which were “incredible for temperature control in both hot and cold months, and for noise reduction”. According to Emma, “It was a costly exercise but absolutely worth it.”
To complete the window upgrades, they installed draped curtains in the bedrooms and living room windows, to keep in the warmth in winter, and to close out the heat during heatwaves.
Harnessing natural and low cost cooling and ventilation
The orientation of their apartment was incredible for catching cross-breezes. Rather than installing air conditioning, they installed ceiling fans, which are highly effective, and low cost to install and run.
They replaced the existing skylight with a pop out one, which naturally exhausted the hot air and helped draw cool, fresh air in (they just had to remember to close it on rainy days!). To complete the natural ventilation approach, they replaced the old fly screens with security doors which could safely be left open to make the most of cooler nights.
Maximising the value of their skylight, the sisters installed a traditional clothes drying hoist line underneath. It was so effective they no longer needed an electric dryer, nor did their apartment get cluttered with drying clothes. Describing the system, Emma concluded “Everyone who has space to do this should! It’s low tech and cheap.”
Inviting nature in
After much negotiation with other owners corporation members, Emma and Victoria lead an upgrade of common landscaping.
The gardens are now filled with native plants and established feature trees. “We really wanted to improve the amenity of the garden, with a good selection of plants ideal bird and insect life, good irrigation and minimal maintenance.” said Emma.
Circular strata solutions
Another project with their owners corporation, and supported by the City of Stonnington’s Apartment Composting Program, were the three Hungry Bin worm farms they tucked into vacant space under the stairs.
“The Hungry Bins are brilliant. They’re easy to use, and there’s no smell,” said Emma.
Food scraps are placed into the top of the bin. Worms process the scraps, creating a liquid fertilizer and highly nutritious worm castings. Victoria took on the management of the systems, using the easy access latched opening at the bottom of the bin to access the worm casting and use them to nourish the gardens.
Not all buildings are created equal
After many years of enjoying their efficient South Yarra apartment, Emma and Victoria moved to separate apartments in Armadale. Armed with knowledge and experience, they assumed they’d be able to transform their new apartments. Sadly it wasn’t that straightforward. They each faced different challenges and opportunities in their respective buildings.
Emma’s place
The two storey apartment building Emma bought into was dominated by gas. Of course she set about making the switch to all-electric, but uncovered a major road block that has halted progress for now.
“We don’t even have enough electricity supply to the building to migrate to induction cook tops or electric hot water, so I had to replace old gas appliances with new gas appliances. It’s an improvement but it’s depressing not to be able to move away from gas.“
Having sought advice, Emma learned that the cost of upgrading the electricity supply infrastructure could cost the owners corporation in excess of $100,000. On top, owners would still need to pay for the all-electric appliances.
“The barriers to electrification improvements in some buildings just are insurmountable!!” said Emma, speaking from experience.
One thing that is possible with their current energy supply is the installation of highly efficient split system air conditioners (for which there are rebates available from the Victorian Government) to replace old and dangerous gas systems. Many owners are now taking up this option, including Emma.
Replacing single glazed windows with double glazing is currently out of budget, so instead Emma “draft proofed every nook, including the old fashioned air vents in the walls”. Being on the top floor, she’s in the process of installing ceiling insulation and is tracking temperatures, so she can get the pleasure of before and after data.
Emma has also been active in her owners corporation. Together, they are working to upgrade their common area garden, prioritising native plants and trees. The considered placement of trees is intended to help shade west facing apartments from afternoon sun in summer, and once again invite a connection with nature.
The owners corporation has approved the replacement of common area lighting with high efficiency LEDs, claiming the Victorian Government rebate.
Emma still plans further investigations into possible electrification, and double glazing down the track, when her budget allows.
Victoria’s place
Victoria moved into a two bedroom 1960s apartment block with a shared gas hot water system. For now she is stuck with this system. The owners corporation committee previously investigated installing individual electric hot water systems but found there wasn’t space.
Moving forward, they may investigate a heat pump solution but this is going to take a lot of work, technically and socially! Like most owners corporations, things only get done when committed volunteers within the owners corporation put in the hours.
“Things move slowly here. The committee exists only of myself as chairperson and two others who are not as active, and one of them just says no to everything!”
Knowing the hot water system will be a longterm endeavor, Victoria turned to projects where she has more control.
She renovated her apartment, removed the old gas cook top and replaced it with an efficient new induction cook top. Thankfully, her building can access enough electricity to make this possible.
She replaced the laminate flooring with sustainable cork, which is not only lovely underfoot, it also adds value as insulation and has acoustic benefits. Woolen carpet has been installed in the bedrooms, along with drape curtains which help keep the rooms cozy in winter.
To further improve thermal comfort, without compromising efficiency, Victoria had a split system installed in the living room (she’s on the top floor so the conditioning unit sits out of the way on the roof), plus a ceiling fan in the main bedroom.
Having been used to double glazed windows in her previous apartment, Victoria is in the process retrofitting her windows with PVC double glazed units.
In future, she’d like to think the owners corporation might install solar but that’s beyond their current capacity and will have to remain on the wish-list for now.
