Getting a BESS statement can be a drawn out and frustrating experience with councils. To get a BESS statement requires a variety of factors such as management, water, energy, stormwater, Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ), transport, waste, urban ecology and innovation. With IEQ being weighted at 16.5% towards BESS certification, here are four ways where you can improve the Indoor Environment Quality of your next commercial or residential project, while being one step closer toward BESS certification:

In May 2018, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore wanted new commercial developments to reach a 5.5 NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) Energy Star Rating in a drive towards zero carbon emissions in Sydney CBD. But, how much of an impact will this make on Sydney's CBD area from a environmental sustainability perspective?

Updated context: This article refers to a NatHERS Technical Note update from 2019. NatHERS requirements, software tools and residential energy efficiency settings have continued to evolve since then, including the later shift toward 7 Star NatHERS and Whole of Home energy performance under NCC 2022. For current NatHERS assessment guidance, start with our NatHERS Knowledge Hub.

The 2019 NatHERS Technical Note update introduced more detailed modelling requirements for property developers, builders, assessors and designers. At the time, the update raised an important question: would the new requirements support clearer residential energy assessments, or create additional pressure during the building design process?

Suntuitive brings the future to life with smart, self-tinted window glazing. When installed to residential or commercial buildings this technology provides improved climate control and greatly enhanced energy efficiency for both single and double glazed window systems. Other benefits of this thermocromic dynamic glass technology are noise reduction and glare moderation resulting in more expansive views.

In its simplest explanation, retrofitting refers to the addition of new features and technology to older houses or buildings. Examples of retrofitting strategies include: