Tasmania has recently moved from a minimum 4-Star to a 5-Star energy efficiency rating for residential buildings. New buildings will be subject to more stringent design standards and those which fail to comply under the BCA provisions may have to undergo an assessment using specialised computer simulation software.
A house energy rating (building thermal assessment) will highlight areas of inefficiency and the Assessor can then recommend changes in design to comply with the new 5-Star National House Energy Rating Scheme.
We are ABSA accredited energy assessors and use AccuRate Software developed by the CSIRO to assess multiple factors which affect the thermal performance of a building including: climate and wind; location; orientation, form and design; building fabric; and occupant behaviour.
We can help you reap the rewards of an environmentally friendly home.
An energy efficient home can:
- stay naturally warm in winter and cool in summer, reducing expensive air conditioning
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions that result from burning coal or gas to generate energy
- conserve precious water resources
- minimise waste and reduce impact on natural ecosystems
- reduce your energy and water bills.
Recognising these benefits, governments across Australia have introduced sustainability requirements that you will need to meet when building a new home.
Building eValuate can manage all aspects of assessing and documenting your home design to meet the requirements of council planning & environmental regulation. This professional advice can save you time and money by eliminating any costly changes or delays caused by non-compliant plans.
Does a sustainable home cost more to build?
Smart design and the right choice of building materials and appliances are key to delivering maximum benefits for the least cost. A sustainable home need not cost more to build - it's about designing your home to make the best use of space and take advantage of natural conditions like sunshine and rainfall.
Professional advice can help to ensure that you meet environmental regulations using effective and cost-effective solutions. If you do invest in better design and construction of your home, your investment can be recouped from lower energy and water bills and higher resale value.
What do we require for the assessment?
- Site plan indicating the orientation of the buildings and any overshadowing structures.
- Plans, elevations and sections showing window sizes, eaves widths and building fabric details.
- Details on wall, floor and ceiling insulation.
- Details on windows and glazing (specific manufacturer and window type if available).
- Floor covering details.
- A cover page/plan page with a minimum clear space of 180 mm h X 140 mm to insert the thermal specification block.
Final documentation includes
- AccuRate software documentation.
- ABSA Assessor Certificate, Thermal Performance Certificate and a form 55 as required by the building surveyor.
- Certified drawings with relevant ABSA stamp and thermal specification block.
- Submission of certified drawings and documentation via email/hard copy.
How much does it cost?
Assessment and documentation costs are quoted on an individual basis depending on the size, style and complexity of the project. We can quote you a price over the phone or fill out our contact form with the relevant details and we will promptly provide a quote.