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Energy Efficiency Provisions for Housing
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BCA 2003
Energy efficiency provisions for housing (ie - Class 1 and 10 buildings) were first introduced into the BCA on 1 January 2003, following extensive technical development and public consultation processes. The Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions varied depending upon the climate zone in which the building was to be located. To ease adoption, the provisions were kept relatively simple and were developed to achieve a nominal level of energy efficiency approaching a 3.5 to 4 star rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme.
The provisions were progressively adopted in the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. Separate energy efficiency regulations were adopted in New South Wales.
The BCA Energy Efficiency Provisions included Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions, including for:
- The ability of the roof, walls and floor to resist heat transfer
- The resistance to heat flow and solar radiation of the glazing
- The sealing of the house
- The provision of air movement for free cooling, in terms of openings and breeze paths
- The insulation and sealing of air-conditioning ductwork and hot water piping
BCA 2006
Following the introduction of the initial energy efficiency provisions for housing, some States and Territories indicated a desire to increase the stringency level. The ABCB decided to enhance the provisions to achieve a level that for some houses approached 5 stars under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme.
Following completion of the public consultation and regulatory review processes, the enhanced Housing Provisions were finalised for inclusion in BCA 2006. The enhanced Housing Provisions were adopted in all jurisdictions except NSW where a different system of energy efficiency assessment (BASIX), has been introduced.
As with the previous provisions, the enhanced provisions contained prescriptive Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions and Verification Methods. The Verification Methods allowed compliance of a building’s energy efficiency to be determined using a thermal calculation method such as energy rating software. Where compliance was to be demonstrated by energy rating the building, the enhanced provisions require a minimum of 5 stars.
The most significant changes to the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions, as a result of introducing the enhanced energy efficiency provisions, related to the building fabric and external glazing provisions. These changes are briefly discussed on page 2.
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