Federal Employment Minister Eric Abetz has unveiled New South Wales’ first Bondor InsulLiving™ 8 Star energy-rated display home in Wilton’s Bingara Gorge suburb.

Built by Hampshire Homes, the house showcases Bondor’s InsulWall® and SolarSpan® thermal building products. It is open to members of the public, who can experience the insulation benefits firsthand.

“The thermal technology used ensures the house stays cool in summer – a major advantage in a hot Australian summer – and warm in winter,” says Bondor’s general manager, Geoff Marsdon.

“We believe that the thermal efficiency offered by insulated panels, along with their versatility, has been largely untapped, but is emerging as a key element in the future of the built environment.”

InsulLiving™ homes can be tailored to fit all budgets, starting with a simple design when finances are tight, and growing with the family through the easy addition of further modules.

The homes also offer a quick build time, up to 34 per cent less than traditional building materials. This reduces on-site labour costs and provides earlier occupancy for the customer.

While several New South Wales builders have already embraced the InsulLiving™ technology, the Wilton residence is the state’s first official display home.

The project was conceived by Bondor as the next step towards zero energy housing, with the InsulLiving™ system expected to offer a complete thermal envelope exceeding the current thermal efficiency requirements of the Building Code of Australia for a range of climate zones.

Bondor’s prototype InsulLiving™ house was built in Burpengary, Queensland, and earned an ‘as designed’ energy rating of eight stars.

Following a year-long independent study into its energy use, it managed to achieve a ‘real life’ energy rating of 9.5 stars – the family of four who road-tested the Burpengary house had spent an average of only 44 cents a day on heating and cooling.

“The Wilton house has received many visitors throughout the construction process and the initial reaction has been positive. Many have commented on the modern styling of the facade and the architectural feel of the home,” says Hampshire Homes’ operations manager, Mathew Smith.

“Visitors also immediately notice the thermal qualities of the build, the internal ambient temperature being noticeably cooler than the outside.”

The Hampshire Homes InsulLiving™ display house is located at 11 Berrima Road, Bingara Gorge, Wilton, and features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, double garage, alfresco area and separate lounge/media room.

Other features include double height raked ceilings in the open plan living areas, CaesarStone benchtops in the kitchen, modern bathroom fittings, a solar hot water system, and louvre windows to maximise natural airflow.