How the increase in BASIX energy targets will affect you

The NSW Government has introduced transformative changes to the Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) targets to reduce the energy consumption in new homes and apartments. Improving Australia’s housing sustainability helps to ensure new developments are ready for a changing climate, affordable to run and comfortable to live in.

What are the BASIX changes?

• The NSW Government announced BASIX energy targets would increase by 10% for houses and low-rise units and by 5% for mid and high-rises. The thermal comfort heating and cooling caps will also become stricter.
• Changes to the BASIX energy targets increased at the beginning of July 2017 and will be reviewed ongoing.

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These changes will ensure a home’s energy efficiency is considered early in the planning and building stages, ensuring a home that requires less reliance on energy is built.

The Government increases the stringency of BASIX to deliver both energy and cost savings to NSW householders and ensure NSW remains a leader in delivering energy efficient housing. The Government is also exploring other energy efficient measures that could be adopted for new build and considering what further changes should be made to BASIX.

How to approach changes to BASIX

Remember that BASIX levels are a minimum requirement. When building or renovating you can choose to build your home beyond the minimum acceptable level set by the Government. This will help future proof your home to compete with newer builds and can save you money with reduction in energy reliance.

BASIX Impact on home design

While there may be extra costs associated with design and construction to meet the changes to BASIX, they will provide long term benefits to residents and the environment. The good news is that as technology and design improves, housing can achieve higher energy ratings at little or no additional cost.

Here are some ways you can easily achieve the target increase:

• Increased roof insulation
• Optimised glass selection
• Eaves over windows for shading
• Ceiling fans
• Changing window orientation
• Optimising cross ventilation.
  

Improving our sustainability

Building a higher rated BASIX home means you are helping the environment. Increasing the BASIX targets by 10% means that every year, an average BASIX home will save a staggering 1457 kilowatt hours of electricity and gas, 37,161 litres of mains supplied water and 1.2 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

To learn more about energy efficient glass and how your windows & doors can improve your home's BASIX rating, visit a Wideline showroom or speak to us on 1300 943 354.