![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Tom-Kimber-300x197.jpg\")
\u201cIt was just all very expensive and just with where we were with work, we didn\u2019t qualify for a mortgage, but we had the deposit saved up,\u201d Mr Kimber said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe decided to jump on and secure the land and work out financing to build the house later.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the house located away from an electricity source, the couple were faced with a dilemma; pay $50,000 to connect power, or go off the grid.<\/p>\n
\u201cBack in the day that would\u2018ve been a major stumbling block in terms of the capability of the off grid, but it just isn\u2019t an issue now,\u201d Mr Kimber said.<\/p>\n
Mr Kimber said building from scratch allowed them to work with a north-oriented house built with double-insulated walls, UPVC double-glazed windows, a gable roof and Colourbond cladding.<\/p>\n
Solar panels give 97 per cent of the house\u2019s power, with the remaining three per cent coming from a generator.<\/p>\n
Mr Kimber said the total build costs were about $380,000 and could\u2019ve been reduced further.<\/p>\n
He said simple decisions make building a thermally-well performing house easier, and eco-houses are becoming a real option for new home buyers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see people having massive gas bills every quarter and it\u2019s just unnecessary,\u201d he said. \u201cWe can run electric houses off of off-grid solar systems, it\u2019s really viable.\u201d<\/p>\n