Chairman of the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group Cr Jim Norris said the sustainability features in the 24-square low-energy house had added 9.0 per cent to the value.

“This is a good investment when you consider how much more comfortable a house can be as well as ongoing savings for water energy, heating and cooling costs,’’ he said.

The house was built by Maine Design and Construction using conventional materials to reach a 6.5-star rating, the highest available. The home is based on an original concept by local designers Lifehouse Design using passive solar design and sustainability principles.

The running costs are estimated to be 30 per cent lower than a similar-sized normal home.

“This will save thousands of dollars and thousands of litres of water over in a few years,’’ Cr Norris said.

Some of the design features include double glazing, rating-six insulation, north facing living spaces making use of the sun to warm in winter, concrete slab, gas-boosted solar hot water, rainwater tank and grey water treatment for toilet flushing.

Building the home was made possible by a grant from the State Government’s sustainability fund.