Information last reviewed at:
30 June 2009
Related Documents
Energy Efficiency General Information
To view the webcast filmed on 17 June 2009 on the Proposed Energy Efficiency Provisions for BCA 2010 - Click here.
2009 Energy Efficiency General Information Update
On 30 April 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) announced that it would request the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) to increase the energy efficiency provisions in the 2010 edition of the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
In brief, COAG requested the ABCB to increase the energy efficiency provisions so that the 2010 BCA requires:
(i) a 6 star energy rating, or equivalent, for new residential buildings; and
(ii) a significant increase in the energy efficiency requirements for all new commercial buildings.
These initiatives are to include energy efficiency requirements for hot water in new houses and lighting in new houses and apartments with all proposals being subject to regulatory impact assessment.
The proposals can be accessed through the “What’s New” or “Maintenance of the BCA” pages of this site and commented upon as part of the BCA 2010 amendment process. The period for submitting comments is stated through those pages.
In addition to the public consultation that is part of the standard BCA amendment process, the ABCB, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), held an information forum for key stakeholders on 27 May. An overview of the changes, process and timelines were presented, followed by an overview of the technical proposals. The presentation is in the “Current Related Documents” box of this page.
Background
In response to concerns over global warming, the Australian Government announced in July 2000 that agreement had been reached with industry and State and Territory Governments to adopt a two-pronged approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. The first approach was the introduction of mandatory minimum energy performance requirements through the Building Code of Australia (BCA), and the second approach was the encouragement of best practice voluntary initiatives by industry. Industry was supportive of this two-pronged approach, taking the view that building-related matters should be consolidated in the BCA wherever possible.
Given the importance of the energy performance of buildings to overall national greenhouse gas emissions performance, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and the Australian Greenhouse Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop the BCA Energy Efficiency Provisions.
The Energy Efficiency Project was endorsed under the National Framework for Energy Efficiency (NFEE), an agreement between all Australian Governments established to improve energy efficiency. The objective of NFEE is to unlock the significant economic potential associated with increased implementation of energy efficiency technologies and processes to deliver a least cost approach to energy efficiency in Australia.
Communications
To enable the effective involvement of stakeholders in the development of the BCA Energy Efficiency Provisions, several committees and working groups comprising representatives from a range of government, industry and community organisations were developed.
At specific stages of the project, the ABCB sought the views of the wider community. This process was undertaken when the ABCB released the Directions Report on the Energy Efficiency Project (2001), and on the release of Regulation Documents (RDs) and Regulatory Impact Statements (RISs). Any proposed annual changes to the BCA are also made public prior to finalisation.
Announcement - Australian Standard AS/NZS 4859.1 titled Materials for the thermal insulation of buildings
The BCA references Australian Standard AS/NZS 4859.1 titled Materials for the thermal insulation of buildings which was released in 2002 and amended in December 2006. The test and calculation reports for demonstrating the performance of insulation products carried out prior to the 2006 amendment have continued to be recognised under the BCA in order to provide industry time to retest and recalculate. At the request of an industry association, the ABCB has agreed to further extent that recognition for another year, i.e. until 1 May 2009 at which time Amendment 1 requirements must be fully met.
Announcement - Protocols for House Energy Rating Software and for commercial building energy analysis software
The BCA also references two Protocols for House Energy Rating Software as well as another specifically for commercial building energy analysis software. The housing ones are the 2005 Protocol for first generation software (NatHers and equivalent) and the 2006 Protocol for second generation software (AccuRate and equivalent). The ABCB has also agreed to continue both references for another year, i.e. until 1 May 2009 in order to provide more time for energy assessors to be trained in the use of the new software. After 1 May 2009, only the 2006 Protocol will be referenced.
Announcement - BCA Climate Map
The BCA climate map has been updated for 2008 reflecting some local government area changes, particularly in Queensland. There are also individual maps for each State and the Northern Territory (the ACT is shown on the NSW map). These individual maps have the names of the local government areas shown.