Blog
Have You Heard About Ecol Mega Panels?
"Have you heard about Hebel?" would have been a catchier title. But while Hebel is the most well-known Autoclaved Aerated Concrete product, it is not the only product of it's type on the Australian market. So what is Autoclaved Aerated Concrete? “Autoclaved...
“Deemed to Satisfy” vs. NatHERS Star Ratings
The National Construction Code of Australia (NCC) provides a few different ways for the Energy Efficiency Performance Provisions to be satisfied. The two main methods used are: 1. “Deemed to Satisfy – Elemental Provisions” This method is often referred to as “Deemed...
I Need To Find An Energy Assessor
How do I get an Energy Rating for my home? Why do I need an Energy Rating? How much does an Energy Rating Cost? Do I really need an Energy Rating? How do I know who I can trust in this industry? How does it relate to the BASIX system in NSW? What's the 6 Stars all...
The Living Room
Yesterday was Sustainable House Day, and I had the privilege of seeing inside one inspirational design in Brisbane. Sustainable House Day (www.sustainablehouseday.com) has been operating for over ten years, and gives people the opportunity to visit and explore...
How is NABERS Different to NatHERS?
NABERS, the National Australian Built Environment Rating System, and NatHERS, the National House Energy Rating Scheme, are Australian Government Initiatives designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the efficiency of buildings. These two schemes have a...
The Cooling Effect of External Awnings and Shutters
Most of us have experienced the desire to block out the harsh summer sun entering our homes and offices through a window. Internal blinds can certainly keep a home cooler, but is there more that can be done by homeowners to make their home more comfortable and reduce...
When You SHOULDN’T Get Solar Panels
Homeowners interested in saving on their electricity costs should install Solar Panels, right? Not necessarily! Impressively named 'geothermal heating systems' and 'Solar PV Systems' are a great way to save money on energy bills in the long run, but if homeowners are...
What is the Building Verification Council?
The National House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a National, unified framework for assessing the thermal energy of a house, either at design stage or end of build stage. Read more about the organisation at www.nathers.gov.au. Currently there are two organisations...
The Renewable Energy Target and Domestic Electricity Prices
A recent report by the Australian Energy Market Operator has led Australia's Industry Minister, Ian Macfarlane, to warn that Household Electricity prices could rise by more than 10% by 2016. In an article in The Australian Newspaper of 22nd December, 2014,...