| What is BASIX and how does it work?
Introduced by the NSW Government, BASIX
ensures homes are built to be more energy
and water efficient.
BASIX is on-line program that assesses a
house or unit design, and compares it
against energy and water reduction targets.
The design must meet these targets before a
BASIX Certificate can be printed.
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Every development application for a new
home must be submitted to Council with a
BASIX Certificate.
BASIX uses information such as site
location, house size, type of building
materials and fittings for hot water, cooling
and heating.
It is important to realise that the
commitments made during the BASIX
process are shown on the final certificate
and must be marked on the plans, and
adhered to during the building process.
Any changes made to the house design
means another BASIX assessment must be
completed and a new BASIX Certificate
submitted to Council.
Who should complete a BASIX assessment?
The BASIX tool is simple to use, and the
assessment can be done either by yourself
or your building designer. This is best done
early on in the design phase, and usually
takes about an hour to complete.
If your building designer completes the
assessment for you, make sure they discuss
the BASIX commitments with you first.
Remember, BASIX if flexible. If you dont like
one option, there will be an alternative " ring
the Help Line if you get stuck.
What are the Energy and Water targets?
BASIX is not a one-size-fits-all approach: it
incorporates regional variations such as soil
type, climate, rainfall and evaporation rates.
The Energy target varies according to
building type and location.
The Water target varies between 0 and 40%,
according to location. Read the About the
BASIX Water Target fact sheet for more
information.
The BASIX website has a range of resources:
- Download the data input checklist " this
takes you through the BASIX assessment
step-by-step, and shows you all the
information will you need;
- Read the Help Notes " this is a
searchable index, that provides
information relating to all the questions
asked by BASIX;
- Complete the Tutorial " this shows you
exactly how BASIX works, and prepares
you for the process.
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