Description

This is Part 2 of Dean’s conversation with Tom Stephenson from Stiebel Eltron. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, start there first.

In this episode the conversation moves beyond heat pumps to the broader systems that make high-performance homes work — ventilation, airtightness, building fabric and energy management.

Tom walks through the design of his own all-electric home, explaining how geothermal heating, ventilation with heat recovery, thermal storage and solar generation work together to reduce energy demand while improving comfort.

The discussion also explores the practical realities of high-performance construction, including humidity management, cooling strategies and the role of smart controls in optimising energy use.

In this episode:

1. Designing a high-performance, all-electric home
2. Geothermal heating, cooling and thermal storage
3. Ventilation systems and indoor air quality
4. The difference between HRV and ERV systems
5. Why airtight homes require controlled ventilation
6. Managing humidity and condensation risks
7. The role of solar, batteries and energy management systems
8. How building fabric impacts energy demand
9. Common misconceptions about heat pumps
10. The future of heat pump technology and refrigerants

Tom also reflects on what he learned from building his own home, and why comfort, health and long-term performance often matter more than simple return-on-investment calculations.

Links and Resources:

1. Stiebel Eltron Australia: stiebel-eltron.com.au
2. Your Home guide to ventilation and airtightness: yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/ventilation-airtightness

Hosted by Dean Ipaviz, builder & director at Verdecon, creating high-performance, low-impact homes across Australia. Follow Dean Ipaviz and @_thebuiltenvironment on Instagram and visit thebuiltenvironment.com.au