Vermont Deep Energy Retrofit
Vermont Deep Energy Retrofit – A Personal First Home Transformation
Renovated by Simone prior to joining reimagined habitat
This project holds a special place in our story — it was Simone’s very first home, and the renovation she and her family undertook themselves became the foundation of her passion for healthy, energy-efficient living.
The original brick veneer unit was typical of its era:
No insulation whatsoever
Single-glazed aluminium windows
Halogen lighting throughout
Averaging a freezing 0.8-Star rating
Cold in winter, hot in summer, and costly to run — it embodied many of the challenges Australian homes still face today.
Determined to create a comfortable and efficient family home, Simone embarked on a full deep energy retrofit. Every wall, floor, and ceiling was stripped back so new insulation could be installed. She also imported double-glazed uPVC windows from Germany — achieving a U-value of 1.1, far outperforming anything available locally at the time and transforming thermal comfort immediately.
Through thoughtful reconfiguration, the modest 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom unit became a modern 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home — all without changing the footprint. Internal walls were redesigned to make the layout more functional, and openings to the north were introduced to bring in light and warmth.
Sustainability shaped every decision:
New LED lighting throughout
Energy-efficient appliances
Water-efficient taps and mixers
Low-VOC paints for healthier indoor air
Livos natural oils to finish the timber floors
A 1.5 kW solar PV system installed on the roof
The impact was extraordinary. Despite the family later growing from two adults to a busy household of four — with Simone working from home — energy use dropped dramatically:
21.5 kWh/day before renovation
After only 6.2 kWh/day
The transformation culminated in an impressive 8.4-Star energy rating, turning a cold, inefficient home into a warm, welcoming, low-bill sanctuary.
This renovation not only changed the way Simone lived — it shaped the values and principles that underpin all our designs at reimagined habitat today: thoughtful design, genuine comfort, and a deep commitment to creating healthy homes that support families for decades to come.
