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Energy Smart Homes Reward Owners in Carindale

Carindale Pines Estate is Queensland's first residential subdivision to use environmentally sensitive engineering, including roofing in light coloured COLORBOND® steel and termite proof steel building frames.

Steel technology is a key element in this environmentally sensitive development, setting new benchmarks for energy smart homes that also give home owners ongoing savings.

Carindale Pines Estate near Brisbane is claimed to be the first residential subdivision in Queensland to use environmentally sensitive engineering, including roads that follow the natural landforms. This allows water runoff to be returned to the natural vegetation through filtered drains.

Solar panels integrated into the roofs made from COLORBOND® steel provide power from the homes directly into the electricity grid, crediting Carindale Pines owners for every kilowatt hour.

Carindale Pines Estate developer, Patrick Brodie, said the project had been created to be sympathetic to the natural environment.

"Our vision is to build a community of well designed, comfortable homes that blend in with a beautiful natural environment close to the city. More importantly, we wanted to create homes that would reward the owners for caring about the environment, by using features such as solar power credits, mains supplemented rainwater and energy efficient appliances," he said.

LYSAGHT NEETASCREEN® PLUS steel fencing made from COLORBOND® steel in Summershade® is also used throughout Carindale Pines to complement the trees and natural vegetation which has been untouched by the development as far as possible.

A combination of termite proof building frames manufactured from ZINCALUME® steel and a newly developed wall cladding system reduce sound transmission into the homes for optimum sound-proofing and insulation.

Large rainwater tanks, solar powered water heating and energy saving appliances also combine to reduce household energy consumption by up to 40 percent, resulting in significant savings on electricity and water bills.

"An energy efficient house at Carindale Pines may look like any other house from the outside, but the homeowners will be more self-sufficient than their former neighbours and they will enjoy savings in their net energy costs," said Mr Brodie.

"We have worked closely with BlueScope Steel to integrate the thermal efficiency benefits of COLORBOND® steel into our roof designs and focus on strength, durability and resistance to pest and fire by choosing steel building frames. The estate combines the relaxed atmosphere of the bush with the comfort and convenience of being just a stone's throw from a major shopping centre and just 20 minutes drive from the Brisbane CBD."

Carindale Pines Estate is located just south of Bulimba Creek, next to a reserve on Wright Street, off Old Cleveland Road, Carindale.

Source: Bluescope Steel