Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 26, 2008 12:30 pm Hi all,
I'm currently in the process of building our first home in Sydney's North West and would like to know other's experience with Basix. I'm not quite up to the Basix stage yet, but am hoping to pass without any changes or extra costs due to the following: Eaves, Sarking, R3.5 ceiling and R2.0 wall insulation, living areas north facing and the west facing windows with thermal glass. Thanks for your feedback, Michael Re: Basix - What is your experience? 2Feb 26, 2008 12:37 pm Hey Michael
What you've mentioned is what our builder is planning for BASIX. The area you haven't mentioned is garden. Depending on the size of your block and the amount of turf you'll have - you may need to upgrade your water tank. However, if you're in the NW - then a lot of the area seems to be on recycled water for toilets, gardens and washing machine (from the Rouse Hill recycling plant) - then you may not need a tank. Look forward to hearing more about your project! After 4 years - we're in! Re: Basix - What is your experience? 3Feb 26, 2008 12:38 pm Thermal comfort is only one section of BASIX. From the items you've listed I think you will have no issues there. The other items that require consideration would be water and energy efficiency. For the water, you'll need water efficient taps, toilets and showerheads. From my experience, most builders already include these items as standard. More than likely you'll also require to have a rainwater tank, so this hasn't already been included, it'll probably come in as a requirement.
Energy efficiency depends on the efficiency of any AC/heating installed. Some areas that help in savings is having an outdoor clothes line, having natural lighting in kitchen and bathrooms, having energy efficient lighting installed and having a well ventilated refrigerator space. Re: Basix - What is your experience? 4Feb 26, 2008 1:01 pm We are on recycled water, so happy about not needing a water tank.
The efficient taps, toilets and shower heads all come as standard. The AC is 4 star efficient, but have budgeted extra to upgrade to have more control over the zones. No issues with the clothes line, the kitchen should have natural lighting, bathrooms are south facing but windows are relatively large and the fridge space will be quite large. Will also be keen to install as much energy efficient lighting as possible. Re: Basix - What is your experience? 5Feb 26, 2008 5:28 pm Day-night zoning for air-conditioning is evil and ancient.
When I spoke to the BASIX consultants, I was told day-night zoning means you cannot have A/C on in living areas at night or in bedrooms during the day. The wiring for the A/C has to force this behaviour. I couldn't believe it and questioned the idea heavily, but was told those were the rules. While BASIX sounds like a reasonable idea, the implementation is ridiculous. Re: Basix - What is your experience? 6Feb 26, 2008 6:11 pm Basix is a DIY tool. It's easy to use. If you have all your windows information (size, orientation, shading) then it will only take you a little over an houir to do it.
It's fun and teaches you a lot along the way. I did my own Basix certificate, and apart from the water aspect, was very easy to pass. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Basix - What is your experience? 7Feb 26, 2008 9:03 pm Well just did a trial run and it was relatively easy to go through.
It came up with a pass mark of 45%, even including no day/night air conditioning zoning. I hope it runs this smoothly when it's the builders turn to do it properly! Re: Basix - What is your experience? 8Feb 27, 2008 7:37 am michaelharvey1982 Well just did a trial run and it was relatively easy to go through. It came up with a pass mark of 45%, even including no day/night air conditioning zoning. I hope it runs this smoothly when it's the builders turn to do it properly! Don't let the builder do your Basix (or at least do ityourself as well). They do not know you're preferences. For instance I went for a 14,000 litre watertank to the garden only rather than 3,000 litre water tank plumbed to the toilets and washing machine, since that was my preference. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Basix - What is your experience? 9Feb 27, 2008 1:03 pm I could have gone through BASIX with A/C and day-night zoning but I refused to be stuck with only running the air conditioner in certain zones. I was told I had no choice (other than putting ceiling fans everywhere and fluorescents everywhere).
BASIX is only required to be satisfied until you get your occupancy certificate. Therefore I said no to air conditioning and I'll add it after getting the certificate (single storey home). Cheers, Jamie Re: Basix - What is your experience? 10Feb 27, 2008 1:21 pm jamiet I could have gone through BASIX with A/C and day-night zoning but I refused to be stuck with only running the air conditioner in certain zones. I was told I had no choice (other than putting ceiling fans everywhere and fluorescents everywhere). BASIX is only required to be satisfied until you get your occupancy certificate. Therefore I said no to air conditioning and I'll add it after getting the certificate (single storey home). Cheers, Jamie Be careful. If you don't specify air-conditioning then one of two things happens: 1) If Basix thinks your house will be comfortable enough then everything is left as you selected. 2) If Basix thinks your house will be uncomfortable without an air-conditioner it will override your selection and put air-conditioning in. It will also assume you'll put in a low efficiency version. It will tell you this with something along the lines of "It is not believed that the house as configured will be comfortable enough and that a low efficiency air-conditioning unit will be installed by either the current occupants or future occupants. Cheers, Casa Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Basix - What is your experience? 11Apr 16, 2008 5:21 pm Well we seem to have got off pretty easy on Basix. We just have to do the following:
1 - Fixed indoor or sheltered clothes line 2 - Fixed outdoor clothes line 3 - Provide energy efficient lighting to 3 of the 4 bedrooms, 2 of the 3 living areas and the hallways We would have done all the above anyway, and the good news is no compromising on the air conditioning! Re: Basix - What is your experience? 12Apr 16, 2008 7:19 pm Quote: When I spoke to the BASIX consultants, I was told day-night zoning means you cannot have A/C on in living areas at night or in bedrooms during the day. The wiring for the A/C has to force this behaviour. I couldn't believe it and questioned the idea heavily, but was told those were the rules I don't know anything about BASIX, I think it is only an eastern states thing. But above airconditioning system is silly and heavily disadvantages shiftworkers who have to sleep in their bedrooms during the day Re: Basix - What is your experience? 13Apr 16, 2008 8:50 pm Basix has its good and bad points. If your building in the hills district with recycled water then I wouldnt worry too much about it. Most if not all builders nowadays design their homes to pass Basix.
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