3 Design Tips To Easily Comply With BASIX certificate

 

If you are designing a new home or building or planning major renovations or alterations, you must comply with the BASIX certification guidelines. 

If your project is not in line with these requirements, it will not be approved for construction. BASIX has been created to ensure that new homes and buildings are more environmentally friendly while creating healthy spaces for their occupants. 

In this article, we'll discuss some tips on how you can easily comply with the BASIX certificate standards.

What is BASIX?

BASIX is the building certification system that ensures your residential development meets all sustainability regulations. It will be mandatory for all new dwellings over 60sqm and apply to dwelling extensions and additions costing $50,000 or more. 

It is a certification that covers all aspects of building design, construction and sustainability. With BASIX, you can ensure that your new residential project has been designed by keeping environmental welfare in mind. 

BASIX is applicable only for residential dwellings. For office and other commercial spaces, the NABERS rating is suitable for measuring the sustainability of the construction. The National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) is a rating system for measuring the environmental performance of a building's design, construction, use and maintenance. NABERS is valid for all states in Australia. 

BASIX Certificate functions as a validation document for buildings that meet the BASIX requirements. One of the main objectives of this residential building program is to ensure that Australian buildings are more energy-efficient, water-efficient and eco-friendly.

What Are The Costs Associated With BASIX Certificates? 

The cost of the BASIX certificate varies based on the type of residential project. BASIX certificate cost can be divided into two categories: 

• A standard fee, charged by the NSW department of planning. 
• A consultation fee, charged by the building consultant. 

The fee structure developed by NSW department for BASIX certificate: 

• Single dwelling- $50 
• Multi-dwelling- $80 (for initial two dwellings) and an additional $35 for each extra dwelling Residential flat building- The fee is variable and depends on the number of units 
• Alteration and additions- $25 for each residential dwelling

Also Read: NSW Government’s BASIX Certificate- Compulsory For Every Residential Dwelling

Design Tips To Easily Comply With BASIX Certificate 

It's essential to know what you can do to ensure you meet these requirements so that your residential project has an easier time qualifying for this certificate. 

Here are 3 simple design tips to help you comply with BASIX requirements.

Designing the building envelope: 

The building envelope constitutes the skin of your home, and it is what separates the inner living space from the outside. The insulation in your walls should be R-13 at a minimum, and you should consider installing double-pane windows that have a U-value of 0.3 or less.

Make sure there is enough natural light: 

When designing your home, ensure that there is plenty of natural light in each room through the installation of windows and skylights. This will provide a proper healthy living environment for the occupants and reduce dependency on artificial lighting during the daytime. 

Install low flow toilets and sinks: 

When it comes to fixtures in your kitchen, laundry rooms and bathrooms, opt for low flow versions to save water. You can also try using dual flush toilets, which offer two levels of water usage for different types of waste.

Conclusion 

Sustainable building solutions are the future of both the residential and commercial real estate industries. In fact, with the new BASIX standards, the NSW Government is aiming to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 

Working with an experienced building consultant ensures that all the documents required for sustainability compliance (BASIX, Section J report, NABERS rating and others) are correctly drafted for a seamless flow of your project.