Energy Efficiency

New enhanced energy and water efficiency provisions have been added to the Building Code of Australia (BCA). The BCA provisions for energy and water efficiency in Buildings will differ depending upon the Class (type) of Building. The parts of the BCA that apply to the different Building Class types can basically be summarised as follows:

Class 1 Single Dwellings (standard residence)

• BCA part 3.12 for energy efficiency provisions.
• BCA addition ‘A’ for Western Australia (WA 1.1 through to WA 2.3.3) for water efficiency provisions

Class 2 to 9 Buildings (i.e. residential units, commercial premises)

• BCA part J for energy efficiency provisions

The Shire is required to check compliance against these provisions to ensure that any proposed new building fulfills these relevant elements of the BCA for a Climate Zone 5 environment. Please contact the Shire Manager of Building Services should you have any queries about the correct BCA classification of your proposed building.

The Department of Housing and Works have made energy and water efficiency check sheets available for use, to address these Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions of the BCA. A copy of these check sheets have been made available below:

Alternatively, Certification from an ABSA (Association of Building Sustainability Assessors) accredited energy efficiency assessor for the proposed design may be submitted. Details in regard to appropriately accredited assessors can be found at the ABSA website www.absa.net.au

Further Information

Further information on Energy and Water Efficiency can be obtained from the following sites:

• For further information on the Building Code of Australia Energy and Water efficiency requirements www.abcb.gov.au
• Greensmart is a voluntary government/building industry initiative to look for ways in which new houses can be designed, constructed and maintained in a more environmentally responsible way. The project is being led nationally by the Housing Industry Association and looks at such diverse details as minimizing building construction waste, garden design and building material components and construction methods for houses. Look for a Greensmart Builder on www.greensmart.com.au
• Looking to save money on Energy Efficient household equipment and appliances. Check out the Star Rating and how much you could save: www.greensmart.gov.au/community_household.html
• The nationally recognized ‘Your Home Technical Manual’ is a great site which provides many helpful hints in regard to energy efficient design for buildings: http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/index.html

Please contact the Shire Manager of Building Services on (08) 9652 0800 for more information.