Browse Forums Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1 Jan 10, 2011 1:44 pm In NSW the energy efficiency requirements of the BCA for residential buildings is governed by BASIX scheme. The online assessment tool by the NSW Department of Planning is used to issue a BASIX certificate for all residential developments' DA submission. The commitments addressed in a BASIX certificate must be deployed during construction and the PCA will check the complete deployment of the provisions before issuing an Occupation Certificate. This topic is proposed for anybody who might have questions with regards to BASIX certification and also for the members who can provide adequate answers to those inquiries. Manuel Basiri Re: BASIX Questions / Answers Topic 2Mar 11, 2011 2:33 pm Hi, Along with all the other documents to accompany a building application for council (NSW), I understand you need a Thermal Comfort Assessment/ABSA Certificate. What is a ABSA Certificate? Can you DIY these cert's, as you can the Basix? thank you woodchip Re: Airconditioning 3Jul 08, 2013 1:15 pm I notice the Basix assessments all make a big deal about airconditioning, which I can sort-of understand, but wonder if they realise that any sort of airconditioning is very easily fitted after you move in !! Anyhow, my question is this, not only do they seek information about its EER/COP and Star-Rating, both of which I understand, but why do they make a big deal asking if it is 3-Phase or Single-Phase ? Surely the phase / voltage / watts it consumes is "irrelevant", it's the efficiency that is important ? So, all things being equal, do you get more "points" for a Single-Phase or 3-Phase unit ? Thanks, P_D . Block settled 07 June 2011 Our little piece of the Interwebs on HomeOne....... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48577&start=0 Re: BASIX Questions / Answers Topic 4Jul 08, 2013 9:05 pm Woodchip Hi, Along with all the other documents to accompany a building application for council (NSW), I understand you need a Thermal Comfort Assessment/ABSA Certificate. What is a ABSA Certificate? Can you DIY these cert's, as you can the Basix? thank you woodchip ABSA is one of the accreditation bodies that energy assessors must be a member of to conduct an energy assessment and provide a thermal assessment certificate which details the heating and cooling load a building will require to maintain a comfortable level for inhabitants. Only accredited assessors can provide that energy report. In NSW, Basix is the mandatory certificate to be lodged with a DA. You can DIY you own basix certificate and it will cost you $50. If you are going through a builder they will generally do both the Basix and the energy report through an assessor. Re: Airconditioning 5Jul 08, 2013 9:10 pm Pepsi_Drinker I notice the Basix assessments all make a big deal about airconditioning, which I can sort-of understand, but wonder if they realise that any sort of airconditioning is very easily fitted after you move in !! Anyhow, my question is this, not only do they seek information about its EER/COP and Star-Rating, both of which I understand, but why do they make a big deal asking if it is 3-Phase or Single-Phase ? Surely the phase / voltage / watts it consumes is "irrelevant", it's the efficiency that is important ? So, all things being equal, do you get more "points" for a Single-Phase or 3-Phase unit ? Thanks, P_D Sorry, I have no idea on this one. I've never tried to do one with single phase. You can register to do a Basix certificate and do a dummy run to check. Do it as a DIY. It's actually quite easy and straight forward. You just need all the info of the star rating of appliances/lights and water consumption of toilets and taps etc. the most difficult part is probably the windows and the shading devices over the windows. You can just skip to whatever section you want to test a theory on. Re: Airconditioning 6Jul 08, 2013 9:44 pm Vess Pepsi_Drinker .... but why do they make a big deal asking if it is 3-Phase or Single-Phase ? : Surely the phase / voltage / watts it consumes is "irrelevant", it's the efficiency that is important ? : So, all things being equal, do you get more "points" for a Single-Phase or 3-Phase unit ? That's what I was trying to do, but for some reason wasn't having much luck ! I checked out a few air-conditioning suppliers to get some realistic "Star Ratings" and EER/COP figures, but BASIX would never actually give me a result !! Cheers, P_D . Block settled 07 June 2011 Our little piece of the Interwebs on HomeOne....... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48577&start=0 Re: BASIX Questions / Answers Topic 7Jul 08, 2013 9:55 pm From the looks of this PDF, it seems the 3-phase/single phase is relevant when it comes to air conditioning units: http://www.benchmarkbuildingcertifiers. ... 20Form.pdf It says: Quote: Single phase (eg. for wall & split units) Three phase (generally for fully ducted systems Re: BASIX Questions / Answers Topic 8Jul 08, 2013 10:06 pm Danois From the looks of this PDF, it seems the 3-phase/single phase is relevant when it comes to air conditioning units: http://www.benchmarkbuildingcertifiers. ... 20Form.pdf It says: Quote: Single phase (eg. for wall & split units) Three phase (generally for fully ducted systems Yep, I know that :p !! The BASIX application asks you this about each unit you are proposing to use.............. My question is, "Why does it matter if it's 3-Phase or Single Phase, surely the only thing that matters is the Power Used // EER/COP // Efficiency // Energy Star Rating ?" Ta, P_D . Block settled 07 June 2011 Our little piece of the Interwebs on HomeOne....... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48577&start=0 Re: BASIX Questions / Answers Topic 9Jul 08, 2013 10:15 pm Pepsi_Drinker Yep, I know that :p !! The BASIX application asks you this about each unit you are proposing to use.............. My question is, "Why does it matter if it's 3-Phase or Single Phase, surely the only thing that matters is the Power Used // EER/COP // Efficiency // Energy Star Rating ?" Ta, P_D Oh, I see. Well, I'm assuming that ducted air con is more efficient overall, regardless of the power used per hour (watt hours), and that instead of having several going at one time, or have them set differently, thus wasting energy makes the ducted a better bet. But that's just a guess on my part. In reality, I see your point that they could just have gone "ducted or not ducted?" and ignored the single/three phase part altogether. Re: BASIX Questions / Answers Topic 10Jul 08, 2013 10:48 pm Danois .....Oh, I see. Well, I'm assuming that ducted air con is more efficient overall, regardless of the power used per hour (watt hours)..... But the issue is I'm looking at (Daikin) ducted airconditioning, of which there are a zillion models. Two of the options we're considering are........... Option 1...14 kW Single Phase Option 2...14kW Three Phase So, all things being equal, which one does Basix give the highest "Brownie Points" to ? P_D . Block settled 07 June 2011 Our little piece of the Interwebs on HomeOne....... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48577&start=0 Re: BASIX Questions / Answers Topic 11Jul 08, 2013 10:55 pm I'd guess the three phase-one. Did you know that Basix also makes it possible to plot in real energy usage, windows and insulation values, and so on, instead of relying on formulas as it does with the more basic version? It's not as cheap as using the formulas, and you do need someone who actually knows how to calculate everything. The reason I mention this, is that I'm going for passivhaus-certified doors and windows (and insulation levels), and basix can't handle it. It simply doesn't weigh the windows and insulation values enough, and makes awkward suggestions. Re: BASIX Questions / Answers Topic 12Jul 10, 2013 9:51 pm Danois I'd guess the three phase-one. Did you know that Basix also makes it possible to plot in real energy usage, windows and insulation values, and so on, instead of relying on formulas as it does with the more basic version? It's not as cheap as using the formulas, and you do need someone who actually knows how to calculate everything. The reason I mention this, is that I'm going for passivhaus-certified doors and windows (and insulation levels), and basix can't handle it. It simply doesn't weigh the windows and insulation values enough, and makes awkward suggestions. Wouldn't you just get an energy assessor to model your house plans pre-build using the software they are accredited in. Doesn't cost that much and they can provide you with suggestions on what construction elements you could apply and the cost effectiveness of those suggestions. From my research you can get a house rated for $250. Re: BASIX Questions / Answers Topic 13Jul 10, 2013 10:23 pm Vess ...... Wouldn't you just get an energy assessor to model your house plans pre-build using the software they are accredited in...From my research you can get a house rated for $250. Yes, I could do that, but as I'm building through a builder they will be organising it. What **I** want to is to do all my "homework" prior to the builder doing the assessment, hence that is why I am trying to figure out, as far as BASIX is concerned, what is the difference between three-phase and single-phase airconditioning. So far, it seems that while BASIX is indeed terribly concerned about it, no-one seems to know WHY !! Cheers, P_D . Block settled 07 June 2011 Our little piece of the Interwebs on HomeOne....... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48577&start=0 Re: BASIX Questions / Answers Topic 14Jul 10, 2013 10:43 pm Pepsi_Drinker So far, it seems that while BASIX is indeed terribly concerned about it, no-one seems to know WHY !! Cheers, P_D I don't think they even know why they are concerned with it. Have you had a read of the Basix Thermal Protocol (Google it). It might have something in there. Re: BASIX Questions / Answers Topic 15Jul 10, 2013 11:08 pm Vess Pepsi_Drinker So far, it seems that while BASIX is indeed terribly concerned about it, no-one seems to know WHY !! Cheers, P_D Have you had a read of the Basix Thermal Protocol (Google it). It might have something in there. Been all through the BASIX web-site, read all the help screens and the how-to-fill-in-the-form hints, tips and suggestions....All to no avail. All they say is that if you're selecting air-conditioning you need to say if it's single or three-phase, again with no suggestion as to why..... P_D . Block settled 07 June 2011 Our little piece of the Interwebs on HomeOne....... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48577&start=0 Re: BASIX Questions / Answers Topic 17Jul 11, 2013 8:36 am Basix Thermal Protocol is actually about the simulation method. Sorry. Had a read last night. I did google what's the difference between 3phase and single phase and from what I read it sounds like 3 Phase is more economical/efficient so based on that you probably get more browny points for 3 Phase. Re: BASIX Questions / Answers Topic 18Jul 11, 2013 4:22 pm Vess ..... from what I read it sounds like 3 Phase is more economical/efficient so based on that you probably get more browny points for 3 Phase. That is / sort of / may have been true.......... I think !! But as I understand it, to-days "Inverter" models throw those assumptions out of the window, and, even if it is the case that a three-phase unit can be more efficient than a single-phase unit, surely this shouldn't apply as a "Generic rule" in BASIX where they need to know the efficiency (EER/COP and Star-Rating) of the particular model you are considering using ?? Option 1) Three-phase unit rated at "One Star" Option 2) Single-phase unit rated at "Six Stars" Surely Option 2 is the "better" option from BASIX as it's obviously more energy efficient ? Anyhow, I did send them an email, if I hear back from them I'll post their reply. P_D . Block settled 07 June 2011 Our little piece of the Interwebs on HomeOne....... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48577&start=0 Re: BASIX Questions / Answers Topic 19Jul 13, 2013 10:26 am Pepsi_Drinker ...........Anyhow, I did send them an email, if I hear back from them I'll post their reply. P_D Gotta love the Govmint !!! Received a reply to my email, and as you would have hoped they said that they treat the EER/COP as what is important. BUT...The "reason" for the discrimination between three-phase units and single-phase units is because..... ".. While single-phase air conditioners can be plugged into a standard household power point, 3-phase air conditioners require permanent wiring and cannot be plugged into a power point. ..." What cr@p !!! Take two totally different units from Daikins range ........... Single Phase - RZQ160LV1A = 5.35kW Three Phase - RZQ100HAY4A = 2.74kW Neither of them can be plugged into a "standard" powerpoint, the single-phase drawing more than even a 15 amp circuit will allow, the three-phase one requiring of course a three-phase socket. So both of them will need to be "hard wired" but the three-phase unit draws on half of the power of the single-phase unit !!! Long story short.......... Something put in by someone who doesn't really appreciate all the facts !! P_D. Quote: Comments from our energy personnel: Quote: * 1-phase and 3-phase air conditioners with the same EER/COP range have the same effects on the energy score, given other inputs remain identical. While single-phase air conditioners can be plugged into a standard household power point, 3-phase air conditioners require permanent wiring and cannot be plugged into a power point. BASIX distinguishes between these two types of air conditioners in the on-line tool and the certificate to highlight this difference in installation. Unquote: Thank you for your patience, Regards, . Block settled 07 June 2011 Our little piece of the Interwebs on HomeOne....... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48577&start=0 Personally, considering your layout (study/work desks in bedrooms), I don't think you have any other option but to leave NW windows and make them as big as possible e.g.… 7 7862 We had this happen to us last year and got charged a variation. Try and give away as much as you can that is usable to charity otherwise if you are in Sydney I have a… 1 3297 Not sure what council area you are in. Some LGA's allow zero lot retaining walls. This usually occurs in greenfield developments but not often in established areas. You… 1 5646 |