The Draft Orange Local Housing Strategy 2021 identifies that good building design decreases power consumption, saves money, makes our houses more liveable and reduces the effects of climate change.
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Since 2004 all NSW new residential dwellings, and alterations and additions to dwellings that cost $50,000 or more have been required to meet a standard for energy, water efficiency and sustainability.
The Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) is the tool used to assess whether proposed builds meet the energy efficiency standards while maintaining an appropriate internal temperature for the climate and season. It has been estimated that since the introduction of BASIX certification requirements more than 281 billion litres of drinking water have been saved and 8.8 million tons of emissions avoided.
At present a BASIX Certification can generally be easily met with the inclusion of insulation, double glazing, water saving plumbing and minimising the number of windows on south facing walls. However, while boxes are ticked and certification has been achieved, many builds are still falling short of maximising energy saving features and year-round comfort for residents.
A drive around most new estates doesn't have to be long to identify buildings that have not considered the sun's movement across the sky, and the changes in its angle throughout the year.
The results are buildings that require extra heating in winter and cooling in summer, artificial lighting throughout the day and garages that block the best winter sun. In addition, many buildings don't allow for cross ventilation, making it impossible to create a cooling breeze in the summer.
The NSW Department of Planning, Industry & Environment is currently updating and increasing the BASIX standards. The changes will not only incorporate innovations in technology, but also encourage design that factors in natural phenomena, that were appreciated by ancient civilisations, but are forgotten or ignored by many current developers and planners.
The construction of more comfortable and sustainable homes will start with residential estate planning. Urban planners will be supported to design subdivisions with building blocks that support passive house building placement.
With better orientated building sites, architects and builders will have more design options and future home purchasers will have every reason to feel confident that, not only will their energy requirements be minimal for both their pocket and the environment, but also that their home will give them maximum comfort throughout every season.
