Energy & Water Efficiency
Across Australia, regulations which require all types of new homes to be more energy and water efficient are being introduced. In most cases, these regulations are applied via the Building Code of Australia, but not always. Some States have their own special requirements and in addition, some local councils can also have rules which must be met. Alterations and additions to existing houses can also be required to meet energy and water efficiency rules. It is important that you check the rules for your project before you begin, to ensure your application is not delayed with council.
-
Current at: 20 March 2012
Solar Photovoltaic Panel Installation (Nat)
The Federal Government has increased its support for photovoltaic panel systems for homes through changes to the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations through higher rebates. There are some rules and requirements for installing panel systems and ensuring eligibility for the rebates that builders should be aware of.
Click for more information
-
Current at: 19 March 2012
Insulating timber floors (Nat)
The requirement to insulate a timber floor will depend on several factors including the orientation, design, fabric or external cladding and amount of glazing in the building. In some circumstances it may be worth considering insulating the sub–floor to achieve the required rating as more cost effective than other methods.
Click for more information
-
Current at: 14 June 2011
Solar Credits: supporting small scale renewable generation systems (Nat)
In 2009 the Australian Government removed the popular $8000 rebate that had been available for people installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems of 1 kilowatt (kW) or more. They have replaced the rebate with Solar Credits.
Click for more information
-
Current at: 21 December 2010
Ensure the energy rating on your windows is WERS to be confident of true performance (Nat)
WERS (window energy rating scheme) is designed to look specifically at window ratings to improve the comfort of homes. The main purpose of energy efficiency in a residential application is to reduce the amount of times the heating and cooling appliances are turned on and off. WERS rated residential windows have star ratings and percentage improvements to help give an easy comparison of windows. WERS is currently the only AFRC accredited system for rating windows in Australia required for compliance to the building code of Australia’s glazing provisions
Click for more information
-
Current at: 09 November 2009
Phase out of inefficient incandescent light globes (Nat)
The Australian Government has announced the phase-out or inefficient incandescent light bulbs over the next 3 years. The intention of the phase-out is to reduce energy consumption throughout the country as part of the Government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gases by 60 per cent by 2050.
Click for more information
-
Current at: 22 May 2009
Water efficiency labelling standards scheme (WELS) (Nat)
WELS was introduced in 2005 as a joint Federal and State Government initiative backed by the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 to replace the 4A water efficiency rating system. The objective of the scheme is to encourage manufacturers to develop and market appliances and fittings that are more water efficient and to help consumers clearly identify and purchase water efficient products.
Click for more information