Energy Rating Process for New South Wales

The New South Wales Government wants new homes to have smaller electricity and water demands. A reduced electricity demand will lower the amount of fossil fuels burnt for electricity generation, thereby reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. To calculate a new home's future demand for energy and water, an online tool called the Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) has been introduced.

The key features of BASIX are:

A residential building is required to produce between 5%-40% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than an averge home, depending on the type and location.
A residential building is required to use 0%-40% less water than an average home, depending on location.
A building is required to achieve an appropriate level of thermal performance.

It is necessary to obtain a pass in each of the three sections of the BASIX application, water, energy and thermal performance, in order to obtain an overall pass. The certificate printed from BASIX is required as part of the documentation to be supplied to the certifier or council for planning approval.

NSW regulations change 1 July 2007

Under the new regulations:

alterations and additions worth more than $50,000 and where development approval is required, will require a BASIX certificate.
a BASIX Completion Receipt must be generated within two days of issuing a final Occupation Certificate for BASIX-affected alterations and additions.

Both these changes will lead to changes in the design and specification of new buildings and alterations.

For more information, visit the NSW Department of Planning

We can help ...

If your building doesn’t pass under 'Rapid' or 'DIY' sections of a BASIX application, we can offer a FirstRate, Accurate or NatHERS ratings, to show a 'Pass' in the thermal performance section.

If you would like assistance with a BASIX rating, please contact us and we will send out a BASIX checklist. For assessment in BASIX we will need the following:

Architectural drawings (preferably in CAD format)
Insulation levels of walls and ceilings
Window glass and frame type (preferably manufacturers model)
Site map with house orientation.

As each building is unique in terms of design, location, and building materials, a customised solution is provided.

We are very keen to work with people who want to go further than the mandatory requirement and build energy efficient houses. Energy efficient options cost very little to implement at the design and construction stage, yet offer huge long-term benefits to both the homeowner and the environment.

Please e-mail or call us on 1300 308 525 if you would like more information or a quote.