We all know about the relevance of sustainable development in modern times. With the earth’s resources depleting at a faster pace, the time won’t be far when the future generations won’t get the basic earthly facilities available.
Therefore, the goal should be to judiciously use the resources, keeping enough for future generations to sustain. That was the principle behind the introduction of the BASIX certificate.
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What Are Sustainable Homes?
When we consider the surrounding houses, they feature as the major contributors to global warming. Most houses emit Co2 and other greenhouse gases that are not only harmful to the environment but also a menace to human health and well-being.
Even the stock of natural resources faces depletion at the hands of such homes.
Therefore the need for sustainable homes emerged. Sustainable residential developments are one of the best options to mellow the environmental harm.
Such houses are environmentally-friendly owing to the sustainable construction material and design elements going into their making. The green and recycled materials of the house are a primary aspect, with the usage of alternative resources as secondary.
To promote such constructions, the Australian Government introduced BASIX, NABERS Rating, Section J report and various other sustainability requirements and tools.
What Is BASIX? How Does BASIX Help With Sustainable Residential Developments?
The 2004 initiative of the NSW Government was the origin of BASIX. The Building Sustainability Index was introduced to promote residential development along sustainable lines under the Environmental Planning and Assessment act.
The goal of the BASIX certificate is to ensure a more resilient accommodation of NSW dwellings to reduce water consumption and reduce greenhouse gases. The margins stated under NSW are to reduce water consumption by 40% and greenhouse gases by 25%.
The BASIX certificate is the primary criteria for the procedure of the developmental process in NSW. The following aspects are under consideration during the certification;
- The building location.
- The orientation size
- The building’s construction type
- The building’s window size and type.
- The landscape.
- The various appliances
The BASIX certificate also considers the thermal insulation of a house as it determines the energy consumption rate of the house. The better the thermal insulation is, the less energy gets consumed to cool down or heat the interiors of the house.
Such a thorough check of the residential buildings before certification is a testimony that BASIX aids in establishing sustainable residential developments.
Besides keeping the people and environment healthy, it helps the people in reducing their expenses behind the water and electricity bills.
10 Design factors that make a home sustainable
Sustainable homes get their hallmark from the NatHERS rating beside the BASIX certificate.
For commercial buildings and apartments, the NABERS rating calculator aids in understanding the sustainability index of the building.
Following are ten such design factors that will ensure that your projects comply with BASIX and your NABERS star rating remains high.
The Location Of The Residential Dwelling And Its Orientation
The southern states of Australia experience a low winter sun in the north. Under normal circumstances, the houses ensure that the sunlight gets allowed into the house, especially into the living rooms for natural lighting and heating.
Conversely, during summers, the window shades, glazing, and trees ensure that minimal sunlight makes way inside. Location and orientation are two important components of BASIX and NABERS rating.
Planting Around The House
Plants are one of the most necessary additions to the landscape to make any house sustainable. Plants ensure that the air pollution remains lower around the house. In addition, the insulation levels stay moderate with the interiors having the right temperature and humidity.
A Bioclimatic House Design
A bioclimatic house design comes in handy for regulating the house’s interior temperature via passive heating.
Such an initiative ensures that the house remains environment-friendly through lower energy consumption and efficient renewal of air within. Here, you must check the natural solar barriers like geographical placement, plants, and adjacent buildings.
Construction Materials Used
The construction materials of a house go a long way in determining its sustainability. Experts claim that the inclusion of natural construction materials will cause an increase in the house’s sustainability and efficiency. Some reliable construction materials are;
- Stone
- Wood
- Ceramic bricks
- Lime mortars
- Vegetal fibres
Installing High-Performance Windows
Windows contribute to saving around 50% of the total energy exchange within the house. Provided you install high-performance windows instead of conventional windows, the energy-saving spikes up by leaps and bounds.
During summers, it facilitates higher ventilation and lower heat conduction. Conversely, high-performance windows like triple-glazed windows do not allow the heat to escape, thus keeping the interiors comfortable.
Adequate Insulation
Insulation is the primary need for making a house energy-efficient and adding to its overall comfort. The interiors remain warm and cozy at all times, thus debarring the need for conventional heating systems. Therefore, you save quite a few bucks on the electricity bills. The NABERS rating calculator for offices rates the internal environment.
Natural Paints
Do you know walls breathe? The implementation of toxic paints degrades the wall quality and affects its overall sustainability. The key is to use environmentally-friendly wall paints made of silicate. Such paints are formulated with 100% natural minerals resistant to fire and pollution. You can even wash your walls without worries.
The Interior Design And Wood Used
The wood used in making the interior furniture should not have agglomerates or formaldehyde. For the perfect finishing aesthetic, you can use ecological oils and wax.
Adequate Ventilation
Ventilation is a must to keep any house sustainable. Ventilation allows the free flow of air inside and outside the house, allowing the interiors to stay rejuvenated at all times.
Solar Panels
Solar power is one of the most conveniently available and environment-friendly energy sources with minimal carbon emissions.
The economical source allows the garnering of necessary energy to illuminate the interiors of the household. Besides saving electricity bills, it reduces the burden on natural resources like coal.
Conclusion
The NABERS calculator facilitates the measuring of a house’s sustainability. With the impending future looming large on natural resources, the need for BASIX and NABERS ratings has become a necessity.
Consequently, professional building consultants will aid in integrating the best solutions that will ensure hassle-free recognition from BASIX. Thus, you can remain convinced of presenting your clients with a healthy stay while keeping the environment on top.
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