Conceptualised and established in 2004, BASIX or Building Sustainability Index was a specifically drafted design standard aimed at promoting sustainability. BASIX certificate is mandatory for residential development, including homes, granny flats and any home upgradation or extension costing more than $50000.
The water and energy efficiency tool evaluates a particular household water and energy consumption and issues a certificate for meeting certain sustainability standards.
BASIX ensures that a newly designed home was constructed to consume less energy and utilise reduced amounts of portable water for operating and artificially heating and cooling a home. It promotes better and sustainable living.
Table of Contents
Which Type Of Construction Requires A BASIX Certificate?
BASIX report and certificate are required in the development approval state for the below types of development:
- Independence home
- Townhouse or villa
- Flats or apartments
- Granny flats
- Dual occupancy and multi-occupancy development
- Home renovations with a valuation of over $50000
- Swimming pools and spa pool plants exceed the capacity of 40000 litres.
- Transforming a commercial building into a residential development
What are the BASIX targets?
The BASIX targets for sustainability include:
- Water target: up to 40% minimisation in portable water consumption.
- Energy target: up to 40% minimisation in carbon footprints
- Thermal comfort target: minimum performance levels for artificially heating and cooling a dwelling for achieving thermal comfort.
BASIX consultants have professional experience and exports to help you align your project with the BASIX standards and obtain the certificate.
Practical Design Insights To Make Your Residential Project BASIX Compliance
Water Efficiency
To meet the water efficiency targets, you can include the following design concepts in your residential project:
Minimising Water Usage
- Installing water-efficient taps, toilet flushing systems, showerheads, and electrical appliances that utilise water can significantly minimise water consumption without impacting a regular lifestyle.
- Minimising hot water utilisation through timed usage.
- Refer to the WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling And Standards) rating while purchasing water fixtures and appliances to understand efficiency.
- Installing efficient irrigation systems for the garden
- Using a pool cover to minimise evaporation.
Rainwater Harvesting
Collecting rainwater in a dedicated storage area and using it for various purposes can reduce your water bills considerably. Including a rainwater harvesting plant in your residential project makes it easier to obtain a BASIX certificate.
You can maintain your garden system even during water shortages or restrictions, conserve quickly depleting freshwater resources and minimise environmental impacts.
Wastewater Reuse
Previously many Australian homes were designed to use portable water for almost every operation activity within the house and the garden. Treatment and reuse of greywater (water from showers, kitchen sinks, basins and taps) can be treated and reused for several purposes, including garden maintenance, flushing toilets and washing machines.
Stormwater Reuse
Stormwater is different from rainwater. Rainwater is directly collected and stored in the rainfall in designated storage. Stormwater is the rain that falls on the roof, garden or land. Stormwater includes organic metal fertilisers, pesticides, oil residues from dry waves and other pollutants that get washed downstream.
Apart from capturing and storing, you must introduce water treatment for several practical uses within the household.
Discuss with your BASIX consultants to adopt the best water-saving and sustainability design feature for your residential project.
Energy Efficient Design
According to the 2020 Australian Energy Update, households contributed 10.5% of Australia’s total energy consumption.
Heating And Cooling Systems
Artificial heating and cooling appliances are the largest energy consumer in residential developments.
A good passive design coupled with energy-efficient heating and cooling appliances will ensure a comfortable interior, compliance with BASIX report energy standards and minimal environmental impact.
Hot Water Usage
- Opt for an energy-efficient model suitable for the particular residential project size and climate.
- Installing heat pumps and high-performance solar hot water systems can significantly reduce greenhouse gas production, and your project might be eligible for receiving government incentives.
Lighting Fixture And Positioning
- Efficient lighting design combines maximum utilisation of natural light with well-designed and energy-efficient electric lighting fixtures.
- Introducing LED bulbs, especially for room and task spaces requiring maximum lighting duration.
- Balancing good daylight exposure with optimal thermal design to prevent excessive cooling requirements during the daytime is essential for obtaining the BASIX report.
- Smart switches and lighting control can go a long way to prevent unnecessary energy wastage.
Appliances and Renewable Technology
- Install size-appropriate electrical appliances for your residential project.
- Refer to the energy rating level to find the most energy-efficient appliance.
- Introduce smart systems or connected home devices for Major energy-consuming appliances such as hot water systems, heating and cooling systems, lighting, etc.
- Install smart metres for energy usage optimisation.
- Include photovoltaic systems as an electricity source and solar hot water systems in your residential project design for obtaining a BASIX report and certificate.
- Other practical renewable systems you can include with your residential project include micro hydrogenators, biomass heaters and wind generators. These are specifically important for residential projects with shared or common services ( lobby, swimming pool, etc.)
Also Read: What is JV3 Modeling? What is the benefits of it?
Thermal Comfort
Thermal comfort is an optimal interior temperature achieved using building design or artificial heating and cooling appliances.
NatHERS assessment is the best method to demonstrate thermal comfort compliance in the BASIX certificate.
Design for Climate
The Australian subcontinent is divided into 8 fundamental climatic zones. To minimise dependency on artificial heating and cooling sources and ensure thermal comfort, your residential project should be designed to suit the particular climatic zone.
Passive Heating
Passive solar heating utilises the winter sun and enables the building envelope to retain the heat inside. Good insulation and appropriate blazing are the fundamental aspects of passive heating. Ensure designing airlock rooms and airtight sealings around doors and windows.
Passive Cooling
Passive cooling leverages practical design choices for minimising heat in an increased heat loss during the summer months. Window orientation, shading, increased insulation, ceiling fans etc., can significantly facilitate passive cooling.
Orientation
Orientation can be defined as the position of your residential structure in relation to the path of the sun and prevailing winds in a particular climatic region.
Identify the climatic zone of the residential project to understand whether you need to concentrate the residential structure orientation for passive heating, passive cooling or both.
The best way to achieve warmth during winter and cooling during the summer months is for your residential project orientation needs to increase the Northern exposure of walls and windows but restrict solar access during summers by designing appropriate eaves and other shading structures during summer.
Thermal Mass
Thermal mass is defined as the ability of construction material to observe and store heat energy. Proper utilisation of thermal mass in your residential project can contribute to saving incredible heating and cooling costs while benefiting the environment.
Insulation
Insulation functions as a barrier to unrested heat flow and are necessary for maintaining warmth during winter and a cooling effect in summer.
Glazing
Windows and doors can act as significant energy holes, causing extreme shifts in temperature. Choose appropriate glazing to optimise your residential structure’s thermal performance according to the climate and orientation.
Installing Skylights And Roof Windows
Skylights and roof windows are excellent sources of natural light. Strategic placement and careful glazing can minimise temperature fluctuations while providing ample natural light.
Conclusion
These practical design concepts can be incredibly helpful in achieving sustainable standards and obtaining a BASIX certificate. Hire professional BASIX consultants to identify the sustainability requirements for your project and provide the best directions for compliance.
