Building a sustainable and energy-efficient home is not only great for the earth but also for your reputation in the market and economic value. With the increasing awareness of the impact of buildings on the environment, building regulations are becoming stricter to ensure that buildings are built to high sustainability standards.
One such regulation is BASIX, which stands for Building Sustainability Index. It is a sustainability assessment tool used in New South Wales, Australia, to ensure that new residential buildings meet certain environmental and energy efficiency standards.
BASIX Certificate and Report require new residential buildings to meet minimum standards for energy and water usage.
It sets targets for greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and thermal comfort, among others. To meet these targets, buildings need to incorporate passive design principles.
Passive design is the use of design elements that work with the natural environment to create a comfortable living space without the need for excessive heating or cooling.
This blog will discuss some passive design principles your dwelling should include to get the BASIX certificate.
Orientation
The orientation of your dwelling is crucial in maximizing the use of natural light and heat. North-facing living areas should be located to take advantage of the winter sun, while south-facing rooms can be used for bedrooms and bathrooms. Orientation is an important aspect of the thermal comfort section, especially for NatHERS assessment.
This way, you can reduce the need for heating during winter and cooling during summer.
7 Passive Design Principles That You'll Need For BASIX Certificate
Insulation is essential in regulating the temperature of your home. It helps to prevent heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.
The type and amount of insulation required will depend on your climate zone, but generally, the BASIX report and certificate require insulation in the roof, walls, and floors.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation is necessary to maintain a healthy indoor environment. It helps to remove moisture, pollutants, and odours, which can cause health problems. BASIX requires adequate ventilation to be provided in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries.
Glazing
Glazing is the use of glass in windows and doors. It allows natural light to enter your home but can also contribute to heat loss and gain. To obtain a BASIX certificate, the windows and doors should have a minimum energy rating to minimise the amount of heat that is lost or gained through them.
Shading
Shading is the use of external shading devices to block the sun's rays and reduce the amount of heat entering your home. BASIX requires shading to be provided to north-facing windows, particularly in summer.
Thermal mass
Thermal mass is the ability of a construction material to absorb and store heat. It helps to regulate the temperature of your home by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night. In the BASIX report, you'll need to provide the thermal mass in floors, walls, and ceilings.
Landscaping
Landscaping can help to reduce the amount of heat absorbed by your home. Planting trees and shrubs on the north and west sides of your home can provide shade and reduce the amount of heat entering your home.
BASIX requires that landscaping be provided to reduce the amount of heat absorbed by your home.
Wrapping Up
Passive design principles are crucial in building sustainable and energy-efficient homes. Incorporating these principles into your home design can help you meet the requirements of BASIX and reduce your energy bills.
By optimizing orientation, insulation, ventilation, glazing, shading, thermal mass, and landscaping, you can create a comfortable living space that works with the natural environment.
