How to build the ultimate energy efficient home, using Hempcrete

How to build the ultimate energy efficient home, using Hempcrete

We interviewed Johan from Hempcrete, to find out more about this sustainable product, which is relatively new to Australia, but has been used for decades in Europe.

A browse through the Hempcrete Australia website provides a wealth of knowledge for those interested in learning more about how to improve the sustainability of your home. In our interview, Johan explains why hempcrete is a natural, energy efficient home building and insulating product.

Here’s an explanation, taken directly from the Hempcrete Australia website:
“Hempcrete … combines fast-growing, renewable anecofibre carbon sequestrating plant-based aggregates (hemp shiv) with a lime-based binder to form a lightweight material that is suited to solid walls, roof insulation and under-floor
insulation and as part of timber-framed building. It also offers good thermal and acoustic performance and the ability to regulate internal relative humidity through hygroscopic material behaviour, contributing to healthier building spaces and providing effective thermal mass. It is formed by mixing together hemp shiv and a lime-based binder. The lime binds the hemp aggregates together, giving the material modest structural strength and stiffness. Lime also protects the shiv from biological decay, mainly through its ability to wick water away from the hemp shiv and its high alkalinity, as well as providing essential fire resistance. (Woolley and Bevan 2007)” In short, to us the layperson, when it comes to sustainability, hempcrete stacks up pretty well.

Here’s our take on the technical explanation above:

Less requirement for heating and cooling, means saving on power bills (hempcrete studies have shown 50-70% energy saving Less cracking in walls, due to the flexibility of the hemp / lime aggregate Healthy living and less mould! Especially in the east and north of Australia, with high levels of humidity, mould can be prolific. The properties of hempcrete demonstrate less mould. Huge plus! We were seriously blown away by our conversation with Johan. If you’re thinking of building, renovating or adding to your existing structure, and you’re looking to increase your sustainability, decrease your carbon footprint, decrease or negate your power bills, and create a healthier environment, we encourage you to listen to Johan’s interview.