BASIX compliance
BASIX is NSW government legislation, designed to make sure that all new homes are more energy and water efficient then the average NSW home. Every new dwelling development application submitted to council in NSW needs to be accompanied by a BASIX certificate.
BASIX is best approached as two separate issues — water and energy.
Water
- To meet the water saving requirements of BASIX, most people will need to include a water tank that collects the rain that falls on your new home’s roof. The stored water is then used in your home’s toilets, laundry and garden taps.
- The minimum size of your tank will be determined by the size of your home and land. The position of your tank will depend on your land’s slope. We can work with you to decide whether an aboveground or belowground tank will be a better fit for your budget and land.
- If your land is in a recycled water area, you won’t need a water tank. Instead, your hoses and toilets will be supplied by highly treated waste water.
- Whether you use recycled or rain water, you’ll also need to incorporate water efficient taps and showerheads.
Energy
- To estimate how much energy your new home will use, BASIX assesses your thermal comfort. This means judging how hot or cold your new home will be, based on both the local climate and the materials and design used for your new home.
- BASIX uses the thermal comfort information to decide how often and how hard you’re going to need to run your heating and cooling devices — air conditioning, ceiling fans or a gas heater.
- BASIX also takes into account your hot water heating system, cooking appliances, and even whether you intend to put up an outdoor clothesline, or rely on an electricity-using clothes dryer.
How does Jandson approach BASIX?
- We’re working to make all our new designs as energy efficient as possible — like the Optima, one of NSW’s most innovative project homes, designed to incorporate natural cross flow ventilation and keep you cool without switching on the air conditioner. We also include external wall and ceiling insulation in all new homes as part of the standard price.
- Your Jandson quotation will include a provisional allowance to cover any BASIX costs. The provisional allowance amount will depend on where your land is, and what design you’re building.
The BASIX system is administered by the NSW Government Department of Planning. The website is here: http://www.basix.nsw.gov.au.
