13 min read
How can a BASIX Consultant help improve the sustainability of your project?
In this article, we're going to discuss:
A predictive simulation process used in building design to assess natural light levels, improving energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality by optimising window placement and glazing.
An evaluation of a building or area’s vulnerability to flooding, which is vital for environmentally sensitive design and construction in flood-prone regions.
A system that regulates indoor temperature, humidity, and air quality to ensure thermal comfort and energy efficiency in buildings. Sustainable HVAC systems help reduce energy consumption and emissions.
The phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to the absorption and re-radiation of heat by buildings and other infrastructure. It can be mitigated with green roofs, reflective materials, and efficient design.
The quality of the air within buildings, which affects the health and comfort of the occupants. Improving IAQ can be an important factor in building certifications such as WELL or NABERS.
A material or system designed to reduce heat transfer between the inside and outside of a building, improving energy efficiency and maintaining thermal comfort. Common insulation types include fiberglass, cellulose, foam, and reflective barriers.
Compliance reports required under the National Construction Code (NCC) Volume 1, Section J, which assess the energy efficiency of commercial buildings and large residential developments (Class 2–9 buildings). These reports ensure compliance with insulation, glazing, HVAC, lighting, and renewable energy standards.
Land use refers to the total arrangements, activities and inputs undertaken in a certain land cover type (human actions). Used in the sense of the social and economic purposes for which land is managed (e.g. grazing, timber extraction and conservation). Land use change refers to a change in the use or management of land by humans, which may lead to a change in land cover.
An analysis of the environmental impacts of a product, process or a service for its entire life cycle, considering the raw material extraction, production, manufacture, distribution, use and disposal of a product.
A globally recognised certification system for green buildings, assessing aspects such as energy use, lighting, water, and material use to promote sustainability.
Energy-efficient glass that minimises heat transfer while allowing natural light to pass through.
The standard used for determining the Gross Floor Area (GFA) of a rated premises.
A controlled system that circulates fresh air into a building while extracting stale air, improving indoor air quality.
A rating system that evaluates the energy, water, indoor air quality, and waste management performance of commercial buildings.
The rating input form provided by NABERS for use by Assessors in the calculation of accredited ratings
A framework used to assess the thermal performance of residential homes, expressed as a star rating (0-10 stars).
The body responsible for administering NABERS, in particular the following areas: a) Establishing and maintaining the standards and procedures to be followed in all aspects of the operation of the system. b) Determining issues that arise during the operation of the system and the making of ratings. c) Accrediting Assessors and awarding accredited ratings in accordance with NABERS standards and procedures. The functions of the National Administrator are undertaken by the NSW Government.
Highly energy-efficient buildings that use minimal energy for heating, cooling, and other operations, with most or all of their energy needs met through renewable sources like solar or wind power.
A building that produces as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year, typically through the use of renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines.
A building which has reached practical completion within the last two years and has achieved its Occupancy Certificate
An Occupancy Certificate or Occupancy Permit is administered by a licenced Building Certifier when it is deemed that the building complies with various regulatory standards and codes and is safe for occupancy.
The date of issue of the Occupancy Certificate for the building.
The greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy used to operate a building or infrastructure. Often considered as part of energy efficiency measures and the subject of the NABERS Energy rating.
A construction exercise of major significance that is comparable to prolonging a building’s structural life or expanding its GFA.
A design strategy that maximises the natural heating, cooling, and lighting of a building through careful placement of windows, insulation, and shading, minimising energy demand.
A high-performance building standard that significantly reduces energy consumption through insulation, airtight construction, and strategic ventilation.
The building to be rated.
Solar panels used to convert sunlight into electricity, often incorporated into building designs to achieve sustainable energy goals and reduce reliance on external energy sources.
A solar energy system that converts sunlight into electricity using solar panels.
Achieved when all necessary construction work is complete, defined by the Occupancy Certificate date.
The process of collecting and storing rainwater for reuse, often for irrigation or non-potable uses like toilet flushing, contributing to a building's sustainability efforts.
Energy derived from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, and geothermal heat, which are replenished naturally. It plays a key role in achieving energy-efficient and sustainable buildings.
A tradable certificate that verifies electricity generation from renewable sources such as wind or solar.
Authoritative document produced by the National Administrator that specifies what must be covered by an Assessor in order to produce a rating.
An authoritative decision by the National Administrator which acts as an addition or amendment to the Rules.
A measure of a material’s resistance to heat flow, indicating its insulation effectiveness.
A requirement under Volume 1 of the NCC ensuring that non-residential and large multi-residential buildings meet minimum energy efficiency standards.
Visual representations that illustrate how a building's shadow will impact its surroundings throughout the day and year.
A standalone house built on a single lot, typically classified as a Class 1a building under the NCC.
The use of integrated systems and sensors to monitor and control a building’s energy consumption, lighting, HVAC, and security for greater efficiency and sustainability.
A measure of how much solar radiation a building's exterior materials absorb, affecting indoor temperature and cooling loads.
The strategic positioning of a building to optimise solar access for passive heating in winter and shading in summer.
Carbon dioxide which is stored as biogenic carbon within an asset (builsing) for a minimum of 20 years
The process of collecting, storing, and reusing rainwater runoff for irrigation and non-potable water needs.
The foundational support system constructed beneath ground level. Its main function is to transfer loads from the building to the underlying soil, through direct contact with the supporting terrain.
The component of a building erected above the ground level, as the primary supporting structure of the building. This does not include the envelope.
The process of measuring, tracking, and reporting on sustainability goals and performance, helping to meet legal requirements, achieve certifications, and communicate a company’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
A design flaw where heat bypasses insulation through conductive materials, reducing a building’s energy efficiency.
The ability of a building’s indoor environment to maintain comfortable temperature, humidity, and airflow levels for occupants.
Materials used in construction to reduce heat transfer, keeping buildings cooler in summer and warmer in winter, reducing energy consumption.
A technique used to detect heat loss and inefficiencies in buildings, often employed during energy audits to improve insulation and HVAC performance.
The ability of building materials to absorb, store, and release heat, helping regulate indoor temperatures.
The sum of all such areas at all building floor levels, including roofed balconies, open verandahs, porches and porticos, attached open covered ways alongside buildings, undercrofts and usable space under buildings, unenclosed access galleries (including ground floor) and any other trafficable covered areas of the building which are not totally enclosed by full height walls, computed by measuring the areas between the enclosing walls or balustrade (i.e. from the inside face of the UCA excluding the wall or balustrade thickness).
The carbon emissions associated with the materials production and construction phases (modules A1-A5) of the life cycle before the building begins to be used. Also known as ‘upfront carbon’. These emissions have already been released into the atmosphere before the building is occupied or the infrastructure begins operation.
Strategies used to reduce heat buildup in urban environments, such as green roofs, reflective surfaces, and increased vegetation.
Carbon emissions associated with materials and processes needed to maintain the building or infrastructure during use, such as for refurbishments.
A measure of how well a building element (walls, windows) conducts heat; lower U-values indicate better insulation.
A professional who assesses the financial worth of a property based on factors such as location, sustainability features, energy efficiency, and market demand.
The amount of fresh air supplied to a building per unit of time, influencing indoor air quality and occupant comfort.
A spatial assessment that determines which areas are visible from a specific location, often used in urban planning and environmental impact studies.
The process of making a building more energy-efficient by sealing leaks, adding insulation, and upgrading windows and doors to prevent heat loss in winter and keep interiors cool in summer.
A material applied around windows and doors to seal gaps, reduce drafts, and improve energy efficiency by preventing unwanted air leaks.
A global standard that evaluates how building features impact human health and well-being, focusing on air, water, lighting, and mental wellness.
A holistic design and construction approach that considers all aspects of a building's energy use, ventilation, water management, and occupant comfort to maximise efficiency and sustainability.
A comprehensive evaluation of the total carbon footprint of a building or construction project, including both embodied carbon (from material and construction) and operational carbon (from energy consumption over the building's life).
A sustainable planning approach that integrates stormwater management into urban landscapes to reduce runoff and improve water quality.
A building that generate as much energy as it consumers over the course of a year, typically through renewable energy sources life solar panels, reducing its carbon footprint and operational costs.
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In this article, we're going to discuss:
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