The New South Wales government has introduced the BASIX Building Sustainability Index into the development approval process for all single new homes and dual occupancy units in NSW.
What is BASIX?
BASIX is aimed at ensuring each dwelling design meets the following targets compared with the average home:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40%
- Decreasing water usage by 40%
This means all new single homes and dual occupancy developments in NSW that enter into a building agreement require a BASIX Certificate to be lodged with the Development Application.
A BASIX Certificate is also required for all new residential apartment buildings for all of NSW and all alterations and additions in NSW, that require a development application, will require a BASIX Certificate from 1st July 2006.
How BASIX Works
BASIX is a web-based planning tool that measures the potential performance of new residential dwellings against a range of sustainability indices:
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Stormwater
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Landscape
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Water
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Thermal Comfort
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Energy
The online assessment requires information about the proposed development, such as site location, dwelling size, floor area, landscaped area and services. BASIX then compares the proposed development to average existing homes. The proposal is scored according to it’s potential to consume less mains supply water and energy for each of the above indices than an average existing home.
If the proposed development meets the requirements, a BASIX Certificate is issued which must be included when lodging the Development Application.
How a Solahart water heater can help you meet the energy targets
Based on BASIX Design Guidelines the average greenhouse gas emissions baseline due to water heating of approximately 42g of CO2 per litre of hot water.
A Solahart gas boosted water heater produces as little as 4.6g of CO2 per litre of hot water which equates to an 89% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions due to water heating or a 34% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for the whole home.
When coupled with the savings due to reduced water usage a Solahart solar water heater plays its part toward the targeted greenhouse gas reductions.
For more information visit www.basix.nsw.gov.au or download our brochure here.