Browse Forums Eco Living 1 Nov 02, 2008 4:40 pm Just hoping to get some informed opinions on the value of the Energy Star Rating for houses, as a substitute for fussing and fretting yourself over every feature of the house.
We would like to have our cake and eat it too, a cheap house that is nonetheless energy efficient, and doesn't take much extra effort or heartache to achieve. (We were amazed at how cold houses felt, and how big energy bills were, when we returned to Australia after living in Europe for a few years... as in, turn the heater off, go to bed, -10 outside, get up in the morning and it's 17 or 18 in the house still. move to Sydney, go to bed, 10 outside, get up in the morning and it's 12 inside!) As a result we are looking at volume builders and seeing what they can offer. Burbank has a range (The Future Collection) rated at 6 or 7 stars. To do this they have double glazing, solar hot water, water tank and whatever insulation is needed to achieve 7-star rating for that house on that site. Assuming the rating is actually a reliable indicator of energy efficiency this sounds like a good deal... but is it? Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 2Nov 02, 2008 4:47 pm russell (We were amazed at how cold houses felt, and how big energy bills were, when we returned to Australia after living in Europe for a few years... as in, turn the heater off, go to bed, -10 outside, get up in the morning and it's 17 or 18 in the house still. move to Sydney, go to bed, 10 outside, get up in the morning and it's 12 inside!) So true! Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 3Nov 02, 2008 5:03 pm russell Just hoping to get some informed opinions on the value of the Energy Star Rating for houses, as a substitute for fussing and fretting yourself over every feature of the house. We would like to have our cake and eat it too, a cheap house that is nonetheless energy efficient, and doesn't take much extra effort or heartache to achieve. (We were amazed at how cold houses felt, and how big energy bills were, when we returned to Australia after living in Europe for a few years... as in, turn the heater off, go to bed, -10 outside, get up in the morning and it's 17 or 18 in the house still. move to Sydney, go to bed, 10 outside, get up in the morning and it's 12 inside!) As a result we are looking at volume builders and seeing what they can offer. Burbank has a range (The Future Collection) rated at 6 or 7 stars. To do this they have double glazing, solar hot water, water tank and whatever insulation is needed to achieve 7-star rating for that house on that site. Assuming the rating is actually a reliable indicator of energy efficiency this sounds like a good deal... but is it? To achieve this they use EcoClassic windows! If you are in Tarneit - check the Boutique Homes displays - the double storey uses EcoClassic double glazed windows. The sales guy raves about them unlike the adjacent single storeys. There is a lot of interpretation in rating houses, and the ANAC system in FirstRate does give the energy rater some leaway. Like using adjacent property shading. Overall the drive is in the right direction - when the system DEMANDS double glazing then it will have reached a sensible level. "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 4Nov 03, 2008 2:25 pm Hello there, Russell.
As an environmental sustainability consultant, a large part of what I do is using the various I use the Energy Rating software packages to review the design of houses and provide guidelines for improvement. Energy Efficiency rating software are like any other tool, in that if they're used correctly they will provide a precise and accurate simulation of the thermal efficiency of a house. Interpretation of the simulation data by a qualified expert will result in good advice that will result in your home being as energy efficient as possible. If the rating has been provided by an ABSA accredited sustainability assessor, you can rely on it. Check out their website: http://www.absa.net.au/. The use of appropriate glazing is one of the most critical factors, but it's not everything. For example, a double glazed window will permit less ambient heat to penetrate the windows of your home as well as trapping warmth inside. However, such a window must still be oriented correctly. A trained, accredited assessor can advise you (or a volume builder) about these factors. One your sure that your home is thermally efficient (i.e. will stay warm in winter and cool in summer) then you can look at the type of appliances you use. Mechanical heating or cooling is never a good substitute for good passive design elements, but the higher a star rating the device receives, the better. With regards to your volume builders, ask them about two main things: orientation and accreditation. A house that achieves 6 stars in one orientation may not achieve the same in another. To illustrate the point, imagine that you have a lot of windows on one side of your house. If they're shaded and orientated correctly they should receive sun in winter while excluding it in summer. Now turn that house around 90 or 180 degrees. Those same windows may be soaking up the morning sun during summer and remain shaded during the cool winter months. I've already mentioned the ABSA accreditation. It's the best reassurance that the rating has been performed correctly. On a related matter, the FirstRate software will only rate up to 5 stars. It doesn't matter if a house exceeds the requirements for 5 stars; FirstRate will still return a rating of 5 stars. AccuRate is a more advanced software package, and can grade up to 10 stars. At House Energy Rating, we use both depending on the requirements of the job. If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line here on the forums. Or give us a buzz at House Energy Rating. Alexander Hender Environmental Sustainability Consultant House Energy Rating 1300 308 525 Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 5Nov 03, 2008 2:50 pm skybluethinking On a related matter, the FirstRate software will only rate up to 5 stars. It doesn't matter if a house exceeds the requirements for 5 stars; FirstRate will still return a rating of 5 stars. FirstRate returns a rating of up to 6 stars. Our highly modified volume builder house was rated at a very high 6 stars, probably really equating to 7 stars. I downloaded the software and put in the details for our house plan to work out what we could improve. Great fun! However, as I have said before, our house rated 6 stars no matter which way it was oriented - but there is no way we would want the living area facing any viable direction other than the ENE-NNW that it does. Just because a house rates 6 stars or higher does not necessarily mean it is a nice place to live, these rating systems have some serious flaws. Orientation should be your primary consideration, followed by insulation and glazing (including shading of glazing). The Your Home technical manual is one of the best resouces: http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/index.html Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 6Nov 03, 2008 4:53 pm I am a qualified energy rater and I would like to clarify that FirstRate 4 will rate a house up to 6 stars, not 5 stars. Also now available in Victoria is FirstRate 5 which is a much more extensive energy rating tool and has the ability to rate a house up to 10 stars. Although not all energy raters are qualified to use FirstRate 5, a number are, including myself.
With volume building, it is not always possible to have the perfect orientation, therefore builders will turn to double glazing to achieve a higher star rating. I work with a few volume builders that achieve 6 stars homes. With a qualified and experienced energy rater using the software(either registered with Sustainability Victoria or ABSA), the energy rating is a reliable indicator of energy efficiency of your house and double glazing will increase the energy efficiency of your house. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me. Kelly Chamberlain www.ecoclimate.com.au Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 7Nov 03, 2008 5:01 pm I have FirstRate 4.06a open in front of me right now, and I use it professionally.
When referring to FirstRate in my previous post, this is what I was referring to, given that it is mostly likely the version in question. It rates to 5 stars only. After the 30th of April 2009, it will be necessary for all assessors upgrade to FirstRate 5 for assessment of Victorian sites. FirstRate 5 incorporates the AccuRate calculation engine and will rate to 10 stars in the same fashion as AccuRate. The Home Technical manual that has been linked is an excellent resource. Its scope includes many considerations beyond the simulation of thermal efficiency. Lyn, as you rightly say, a highly rated house isn't necessarily a comfortable one. This is simply one factor. Good to see some lively and interesting discussion here. I hope that we're able to help Russell out! Alexander Hender Environmental Sustainability Consultant House Energy Rating 1300 308 525 Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 9Nov 03, 2008 5:10 pm Thanks everyone for your comments.
Re the Technical manual, I was aware of that but we have our work cut out for us as it is what with two jobs, two young kids, finishing a university qualification, running a business, starting a new job, finding a block, finding a house to rent while building, etc etc -- If someone can say "7 stars is good", that's a hell of a lot more convenient than "here, read this 380-page Technical Manual" . That said, it sounds as if the rating is indeed reliable. A quick question on orientation... the block we love is kite-shaped with the long axis running north-south. What is the accepted wisdom in terms of orientation, cram a house in "sideways" so its long axis is east-west, or, accept a block you don't like as much just because it runs east-west? Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 11Nov 03, 2008 5:17 pm Hi Alexandar
I am using the same version of FirstRate 4 (4.06) and I definitely can achieve 6 stars in both regulation and non regulation mode and have been able to for a very long time now. Sustainability Victoria even gave the accredited raters 6 star certificate templates to issue with 6 star reports. Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 12Nov 03, 2008 5:20 pm Ah, I see where our (my) wires are crossed.
In Victoria, the FirstRate software CAN be used for us to six-stars. My mistake. Elsewhere, the software can only be used for 5 stars, and is modified accordingly. Please excuse the error. I believe that the demo software is still available from Sustainability Victoria. http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/ww ... pdates.asp I would caution against placing too much stock in any results you generate, however. Proper training and accreditation is necessary to be able to use FirstRate or similar software correctly. Best of luck with the new home. Alexander Hender Environmental Sustainability Consultant House Energy Rating 1300 308 525 Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 13Nov 03, 2008 5:30 pm Hi Russell
That's the thing with volume building, the block hardly ever has the perfect orientation. Ideally your living areas should be facing north. But a good balance of glazing on orientations and double glazing can be a good solution. You shouldn't have to become an expert in building energy efficient homes, as it sounds like you've got way too many other things to deal with. A 7 star rated house is definitely a good thing as most volume builders only build to 5 stars. Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 14Nov 03, 2008 5:34 pm With regards to downloading FirstRate 5, I agree with Alexandar, you definitely need to be qualified to gain accurate results.
FirstRate 5 is much more extensive and you no longer just enter data, a PDF of the floor plan is import into the software and you rate each room, drawing in windows and doors and entering other data (and that just the brief description of what to do). Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 15Nov 03, 2008 6:05 pm skybluethinking I believe that the demo software is still available from Sustainability Victoria. http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/ww ... pdates.asp Thank you, thank you, thank you - I missed that box in the top right corner! Sorry to get off topic Russell! Just having a quick look at the Burbank Future range. Nothing particularly special about the actual designs, they are just avoiding the "wrap around" type houses. You can quite easily adjust most standard project home floorplans if your block faces south. Other than the design Burbank are just including solar hot water, rainwater tank, double glazed windows and additional insulation. You can do the same thing with most project builders, they appear to have moved on from 2006 when most sales consultants asked "WHY?" when we enquired about double glazing. Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 16Nov 04, 2008 11:14 am If I was to submit my house plans for an assessment, what pricing would I be looking at.
Could anyone break it down to me also what is the process that is undertaken when doing such a task. I would be really interested it what my house could achieve. ( Plans done) Please PM me and I can follow up with whoever. Thanks Cheers Michael He wants a dream home theatre - she wants a dream kitchen! Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 17Nov 04, 2008 8:30 pm EcoClimate Hi Russell That's the thing with volume building, the block hardly ever has the perfect orientation. Read Derek Wrigley's book on Sustainable housing. There is a lot more opportunity for large scale developers to ensure subdivisions each have good solar access and ventilation. There is a proposal for an ambitious 'green development' - Lochiel Park. Located in the heart of Adelaide suburbia along the Torrens river, several prominent building companies will be involved in the project. Here are the design guidelines and allotments: http://www.lochielpark.com.au/lochielpa ... lines3.pdf They stipulate regulations about overshading and obstructions to neighbours properties . Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 18Nov 04, 2008 9:08 pm Thankfully we're not in such a sardine-can estate that shading will be an issue, it's 940 sq m and we only want about 18 squares. Besides which our northern boundary backs on to farm land. I had a look at that Technical manual and it says N-S orientation is OK. (We are in the cool temperate zone.) I suppose E-W would be better though given the aspect ratio of the houses we are looking at is about 1.5-2:1. Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 19Nov 11, 2008 10:22 am russell Thankfully we're not in such a sardine-can estate that shading will be an issue, it's 940 sq m and we only want about 18 squares. Besides which our northern boundary backs on to farm land. I had a look at that Technical manual and it says N-S orientation is OK. (We are in the cool temperate zone.) I suppose E-W would be better though given the aspect ratio of the houses we are looking at is about 1.5-2:1. Courtyard style homes may be the solution. Solar access is improved down the axis of the building. By landscaping around the courtyards they can either be wind shelters or assist in funneling breezes through the house. http://www.paulcraigbuilding.com.au/north_frontage.php Re: Lazy Eco? 6/7-Star Volume Building 20Nov 11, 2008 10:29 am russell That said, it sounds as if the rating is indeed reliable. Depends on who you ask. It is dependent both on the sophistication of the software package and the operator who enters and analyses the data. Follow a lively debate on the accuracy of home energy rating systems: http://forums.envirotalk.com.au/house-E ... t7902.html go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 98067 Hi, Seeking volume or semi-custom builder in victoria(east), which have existing double story wide floor plans. Seeking 18-20m wide homes with depth of 12-15m long. Or… 0 18273 i did click it, still couldnt make it out rofl. in any case, doesnt look like too extreme a slope, you may be in luck. Just shoot out some emails to volume builders in… 3 14128 |