What is a WUFI Model?
2 min read
Should All Commercial Projects Have A WUFI Model Created?
Topics: Architecture Star Rating Sustainability Energy Insulation Materials Residential Commercial
5 min read
The Thermal Balance Challenge - How Efficient is Your Design?
Topics: ESD Architecture Certification Update NatHERS Star Rating
9 min read
Does Double Glazing Help You Get a 7 Star Rating?
Glazing and NatHERS
Does Double Glazing Help You Get a 7 Star Rating?
Double glazing can help improve a NatHERS rating, but it is not a guaranteed solution on its own. Whether it helps a project reach 7 Stars depends on the climate, orientation, window size, shading, frame type and the rest of the building fabric.
Topics: Glazing NatHERS Star Rating Thermal Performance Insulated Glass Units 7 Star Homes
2 min read
Green Home Loans for Energy Efficient Homes (Australia Guide)
Green Home Loans for 7 Star Homes in Australia
Green home loans are designed to support the construction and purchase of energy-efficient homes.
Topics: Architecture Star Rating Climate FAQ Green Star Rating news
8 min read
How NatHERS Star Ratings Work (0–10 Explained)
NatHERS Explained
What Is a 7 Star Energy Rating?
A 7 Star Energy Rating usually refers to the thermal performance rating of a new home under NatHERS. It shows how well the home is expected to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures with less reliance on artificial heating and cooling.
Topics: ESD NatHERS Star Rating Changes FAQ
3 min read
Who Do You Want Doing Your BASIX Assessment?
The BASIX assessment and NatHERS process is an ever evolving practice which requires extensive knowledge of available materials, passive heating and cooling strategies and how to design in an ecologically sustainable manner. Although to complete and sign off on the BASIX process one must be a certified assessor. The assessor’s background does not play a large role in determining their competency in assessing a building’s efficiency. Therefore, the question is raised as to who is the most qualified or most knowledgeable to be completing the BASIX assessment?
Topics: Design BASIX NatHERS Star Rating Accreditations
4 min read
U and R Values & Energy Rating: What do they mean?
In the field of ESD, two terms which constantly appear are the U and R values of products, but what do these mean? Whether referring to insulation or glazing each product on the market has a specific either U or R value. These values refer to the thermal performance of specific products and materials and how they assist in maintaining thermal control in a building or structure. These values are an integral part of the BASIX, NatHERS and Section J process in the NCC, which require specific values to be either entered into the glazing calculator for Section J reports or specific glazing types with predetermined U and SHGC values for BASIX and NatHERS along with specific R values for insulation and building materiality.
Topics: ESD Section J BASIX NatHERS Star Rating Accreditations
4 min read
Star Rating: How to Increase Your Star Rating for Free
The NCC sets a minimum acceptable thermal performance for residential dwellings by specifying a minimum 6 star rating for all new projects in Australia with the exception of NSW who are under the BASIX programme.
Topics: Design BASIX NatHERS Star Rating Accreditations
9 min read
6 Star NatHERS Assessment Design Tips and the Shift to 7 Star Homes
NatHERS Design Principles
Topics: Design NatHERS Star Rating Accreditations
1 min read
6 Star Rating: What Is It And Why Do I Need One?
What is a 6 Star Rating?
The National Construction Code (NCC formally known as the BCA) requires all new residential dwellings in Australia (Except NSW)* to achieve a minimum of a 6 Star Rating using the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), approved software.
