Building eValuate are ABSA accredited building sustainability assessors. We can provide energy and water efficiency assessments of your premises and can advise on installing or retrofitting products to improve the efficiency and performance of your home or commercial building.
What will you get?
We are qualified building thermal performance and home sustainability assessors and can advise on cost effective ways to reduce household energy usage and increase the comfort of your building. A tailored report can be provided.
What is assessed?
We can look at major energy and water systems relating to the building envelope, heating/cooling, lighting, refrigeration, cooking, entertainment and water efficiency.
How long does it take?
Each assessment should take around 1.5 hours to complete but may vary depending on the property size, and the number of energy and water systems to be considered.
Low and medium cost suggestions to reduce energy wastage may include:
- Improve building sealing – The average Australian home has 1.5 complete air exchanges per hour (ACH). This can be reduced through low cost measures such as installing weather sealing strips to windows and doors; sealing gaps around architraves, floor boards and skirting boards; blocking off unused chimneys and unnecessary vents in the walls and ceilings.
- Insulation – Insulation is a major factor in maintaining a comfortable temperature inside your home and significantly reduces the need for air conditioners and heaters. It can be installed in your roof space, underfloor or wall cavities, if you have sufficient access, and can save up to 60% of heating and cooling loads. There are rebates available to offset insulation costs.
- Heating – When choosing heating, an efficient natural gas space heater is usually the best choice as gas is a cleaner fuel than mainland grid electricity and it allows you to heat just the room you use most. For households not connected to gas, an efficient reverse cycle air conditioner is a good alternative. If you opt for a central heating system, make sure it can be ‘zoned’ so you can heat occupied areas only, rather than the whole house.
- Windows – Windows are a major source of heat loss and gain. Advanced windows, such as double glazing and low-e coatings, can reduce winter heat loss and summer heat gain through windows by 40–70%. Internal and external window treatments can reduce heating and cooling needs by up to 50%. Heavy, close-fitting curtains with pelmets will reduce heat loss in winter and can help protect a cool room in summer.