What you can do

Living Sustainably

Energy Smart

Energy efficient building and design

If you're renovating or building your home, you have an ideal opportunity to make your home comfortable and energy efficient, save money on running costs, as well as add value to your investment.

An energy smart home uses the best combination of building orientation, materials, wall and ceiling insulation, efficient heating, cooling, hot water, lighting and appliances to reduce energy consumption by up to 40%.

Locate services in optimal locations and consider energy demands at the design stage. For example, locate hot water systems closest to the area of greatest demand, position room/space heaters in central positions within rooms, and install central heating systems as near as practical to main living areas. Also consider energy wastage and how this could be reduced. For example, install insulation, sensors, thermostats and timers.

Make energy efficiency the top priority when you're talking to your builder, architect or tradesperson. Seek advice from energy smart designers, tradespeople and suppliers – this can save you thousands of dollars in ongoing costs and provide more optimal solutions.

Investigate and carefully consider building materials, room positioning and layout and ventilation design. Each have a big impact on the thermal properties and energy demands of a home. Use the Energy Smart Allies Database to locate an energy smart building design consultant or tradesperson.

BASIX, a NSW Government initiative, ensures new homes and multi-unit dwellings are designed and built to use less energy and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions. BASIX also includes building additions and alterations.

A Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) certificate must be supplied with each development application. This certificate is issued on the completion of a BASIX assessment using the online tool. The tool assesses water, energy and thermal demands and establishes targets for minimising wastage and maximising efficiency.