Energy Efficiency Building Codes & Rules

Passive solar heating

Passive solar heating

Cold Air from

Evaporative Cooler

Electrical Vehicle Charging Equipment^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, J1P4}

• Provide sufficient electrical capacity & pre-wiring of EV charging stations
• Dedicate parking spaces ready for EV use

Roof & Ceiling Requirements

• Reflective Insulation^{Industry Recommendation}
• ≤ 0.05 surface emittance with
• ≥ 20mm air circulation gap adjacent to a roof
• Reflective surface to face downward
• Thermal Insulation Values^{Industry Recommendation}
• Use multiple layers of reflective foil in ceilings and roofs
• Avoid bulk insulation unless for conditioned room
• ≥ R4.1 Thermal Insulation Value for < 40% solar absorptance (Very light coloured roof)
• ≥ R4.6 Thermal Insulation Value for 40 to 60% solar absorptance (Light coloured roof)
• ≥ R5.1 Thermal Insulation Value for < 60% solar absorptance (Dark coloured roof)
• Values vary when considering on-site conditions
• Construction Systems^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (2)}
• Choose light coloured & reflective roof materials
• Cyclonic design ready

Climate Zone 1: Hot Humid Summer, Warm Winter^Informative

• High humidity all year, with a mild dry season in winter
• Warm to hot temperatures throughout the year
• Low to moderate changes in temperature between seasons
• Focus on effective cooling strategies due to the humid climate
• Consult local Energy Assessor for commercial & complex projects
• Check State & Territory Government on Energy Efficiency Requirements

Hot Air into

Evaporative Cooler

Inward Heat Flow

Inward

Heat Flow

Inward Heat Flow

Building Orientation^{Industry Recommendation}

• Aim for north orientation to maximize winter sun, using shading devices for summer
• North-facing Walls & Windows
• More sunlight in winter that helps warm building during colder months
• East & West-facing Walls & Windows
• Receives more sunlight during summer
• Leads to overheating if not managed properly
• Minimise direct sunlight with shading devices such as overhangs, awnings, louvres, pergolas, & trellises

External Wall Requirements

• Solar Absorptance^{Industry Recommendation}
• ≤ 70% absorption for General or Lightweight Wall Construction
• Metal-Framed Walls Thermal Bridging^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (3)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (5)}
• ≥ R0.2 thermal value of thermal breaks at all contact points where the metal frame meets the external cladding
• Exemption: If walls made from insulated sandwich panels

Other Wall Considerations^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (6)}

• Insulations
• Avoid bulk insulation unless for conditioned room
• ≥ R2.8 Thermal Insulation Value with inward heat flow
• Values vary when considering on-site conditions
• Construction System
• Choose low-mass, lightweight construction
• Opt for light-colored, reflective materials for external walls

Considering Sustainable Energy Upgrades^{Industry Recommendation}

• LED Upgrade
• 80 to 90% savings on electricity bill than fluorescent or incandescent bulbs
• Lasts longer & are more efficient
• Heat Pump Hot Water Upgrade
• Consider replacing gas hot water systems with Electric Heat Pumps
• 3x more efficient than gas
• Reduces energy bills & health risks related to gas usage
• Solar Upgrade
• Harness clean, renewable energy from the sun
• Boosts business profit by reducing electricity cost

Energy Efficiency^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, J1F1NCC 2022 Vol 2, H6F1}

• Considers future installations & improvements for energy consumption
• A building should aim to
• Lower energy consumption for sustainability
• Be environmentally friendly
• Enhance occupant well-being

Thermal Performance for Class 1 & 10^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H6V2 (3) (p)NCC 2022 Vol 2, H6V2 (3) (q)}

• Cooling Setting
• 24°C for Bedrooms
• 27°C for Other Habitable Rooms
• Heating Setting
• 20°C All Habitable Rooms
• Enhance comfort in living spaces
• Optimize energy consumption based on climate conditions
• Reduce the environmental impact of heating & cooling system
• Thermal performance requirements as per the NCC^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H6P1}

Thermal Performance for Class 2 to 9^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, J2D2}

• Heating & cooling loads of habitable rooms & conditioned spaces to comply to the NCC
• Minimum required load limit calculation
• Ensures that the heating & cooling systems maintains efficient & comfortable indoor temperature

Floor Requirements

• For In-slab or In-screed Heating & Cooling System Insulation^{Industry Recommendation}
• ≥ R1.0 Thermal Insulation Value
• Installed around the vertical edge of the slab’s perimeter
• Prevent heat loss or gain at the slab edges
• Insulation^{Industry Recommendation}
• Use reflective, closed-cell insulation on elevated floors to reduce heat transfer and prevent condensation buildup
• ≥ R1.5 Thermal Insulation Value with inward heat flow
• Values vary when considering on-site conditions
• Construction System^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (4)}
• Opt for lightweight, low-mass construction to improve temperature control

No Hydronic Heating

Renewable Energy^{Industry Recommendation}

• Electricity Generation
• Install Solar Panels on building roof
• This provides a clean & renewable energy source directly from the sun
• Hot Water Systems
• Solar Thermal System - collects sunlight to heat water (commonly used in residential applications)
• Heat Pump System - extracts heat from the surrounding air, water, or ground to heat water
• Solar Heating & Cooling Systems
• Uses solar thermal system to power cooling & to provide space & water heating
• Passive Solar Design Solutions
• Building orientation
• Window placement
• Use suitable materials to regulate indoor temperature

Heating & Cooling Requirements^{Industry Recommendation}

• Cooling Strategies
• Maintain comfort through effective ventilation, shading, & use of reflective materials
• Fans or whirlybirds to enhance airflow in roof spaces
• Heating Strategies
• Low heating requirements
• Position windows to capture sunlight during winter while preventing heat gain during summer

Shade all External Openings & Walls

Ceiling Fans

in all Rooms

Evaporative Cooler

&/or Whirlybird

No Need to

Insulate Metal Pipes

Windows & Shading

• Be able to reduce ≥ 80% of summer sun with the use of External Shading Devices^[1]

Window RULES

NCC 2022 V1

Shading RULE

NCC 2022 V1

NCC 2022 HP, 13.3.4

NCC 2022 HP, 13.3.4