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Look before you leap
It can be hard to decide what best suits your home without being able to take it out of the shop and put it in your house. How does this electric heater look mounted on a wall? How does the warmth from ceiling heat feel compared with a heat pump? What sort of home entertainment system do I want? What's all the fuss about this 'home automation'? Aurora's new apartment in the Home Ideas Centre in Hobart has taken the guesswork out of choosing, as you can see how products actually work in a home situation.
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A unique opportunity
By seeing the products you might need in your home operating in a functioning environment, homemakers can make appropriate choices for their lifestyles. Knowing what you want and how it compares to the Aurora apartment lets you decide what works, what doesn't and what will assist you in achieving energy efficiencies. This home allows visitors to actually experience the benefits of today's best lifestyle and household technologies.
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About the apartment
 The apartment is 75 m2 and features open plan lounge, dining and kitchen, one bedroom and ensuite. It is beautifully fitted out and features a range of the latest home products. The design has also incorporated a gas pipe that is fitted and concealed throughout the apartment to allow the easy integration of gas heating and cooking.
The apartment took four months to build and fit out between July–October 2005. It was officially opened in November 2005.
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Key features
Some of the key features of this apartment are:
The latest in electric heating: the apartment contains a range of heating options, including undertile heating, ceiling heating, a panel heater, fixed fan heater, a heat pump, and a heated towel rail. Aurora also installed Pink Batts in the ceiling. Explore all the options for electric heating – its important to select the right heating for your lifestyle and budget during a Tassie winter and if it is your main source, you can get the Aurora Heating Discount.  Mini theatrette home entertainment system: the home entertainment system was supplied by SoundSmart and covers every room in the house. A plasma screen, motorised screen and projector are in the living room with an in-wall and ceiling speaker system. The kitchen and bedroom have an LCD touch screen/control panel and the ensuite has extended audio listening from the bedroom.
Home automation: Apart from the benefit of touch-of-a-button convenience, the Clipsal C-Bus home automation can help you achieve greater energy efficiency. This ultimate smart-home experience will automatically open the curtains to capture the morning sun, then close them again in the late afternoon to keep the heat in, dim the lights, turn on the music and start a movie – even while you're on holidays to fool the thieves! It offers you enhanced safety, security and lifestyle convenience.  Latest in kitchen appliances: the kitchen contains an induction cooktop, which offers controlled cooking temperatures that you cannot find in other stovetop models. It also has a new appliance that delivers instant boiling or chilled water. The tap stays cool to the touch, has a safety lock and can be easily installed.
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Contributors
This apartment was designed by Preston Lane Architects. All electrical installations were undertaken by Hawtree Electrical (certified Clipsal installers). P & C Management (Tas) Pty Ltd was responsible for all construction and joinery. Heating appliance installations were provided by Aurora Preferred Suppliers. Other contributors to the project are Clipsal, SoundSmart, DEVI Comfort Heat, LG Electronics, Pureheat, Atlantic Australasia Pty Ltd, Gunns Kitchens and Bathrooms, Gunns Betta Electrical, Rosetto Tiles, Euphoria and Casa Monde.
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Visit the apartment and see for yourself
The apartment is located upstairs at the Home Ideas Centre, 309 Liverpool Street, Hobart
Ph: (03) 62312522 Fax: (03) 62312312
email: hobart@homeideas.com.au
The centre is open 9 to 5 Monday to Friday, 10 to 5 Saturday and 11 to 4 on Sundays and Public Holidays.
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