Browse Forums Eco Living 1 Dec 10, 2012 7:14 pm I have a few thoughts bugging me about the energy rating of our house and would appreciate anyone's input. Our plans received an energy rating of 7.5 from an energy assessor before we built. The plans were approved by the building surveyor in July 2011 so I presume they were still under the 5 star energy regime. Some changes were made to the plans in between the energy assessment and the build however. These included removing slab edge insulation, eave vents and roof valve and not plumbing the rainwater tank to the toilets because the estate has recycled water which must be connected to the toilet. We don't have a solar hot water heater. I noticed that all the building surveyor required from the builder was a certificate that the builder signed off on himself to say that the house meets the energy requirements of the Building Code of Australia 2009. So without a rainwater tank plumbed to the toilets and without a solar hot water heater, does it? Re: Does our house comply with the energy rating? 3Dec 10, 2012 9:46 pm This is outside of my level of expertise but my understanding is that the 6 stars is an energy rating that applies to the building's roof, walls, floor and windows BUT you MUST also have (for Victoria) either a solar hot water service OR a 2,000 litre rainwater tank fed from a minimum 50 square metre roof area and connected to ALL toilets. This is separate to the energy rating but essential for the 6 star compliance. If you don't have the rainwater tank connected to all toilets, then I would have thought that you would be required to have a solar HWS. http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/ww ... 6-star.asp Most new homes in Victoria that are optioned with a rainwater tank are not compliant with the 6 star regulations in any case as most drain roof areas that are less than the minimum 50 square metre requirement. The regulation is also flawed as it does not state whether the required minimum of 50 square metres of roof harvest area is the roof plan area or the slope factored roof area that is used to determine roof drainage compliance. EDITED: Text tidy up. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Does our house comply with the energy rating? 4Dec 10, 2012 10:10 pm Hi SaveH20, Right - well that answers my question - our house doesn't comply, unless they allow for alternative solutions. I really find it odd that the builder can just sign a certificate and this is enough proof that the energy rating was achieved. I thought the house would have had to have another energy rating done on completion if they are really serious about this. B STAR - the changes were made with my knowledge so it isn't really a question of wondering whether we got what we paid for - it is just that I've always wondered how they police this system and it was only today that I discovered that the rainwater tank (which we have) was supposed to be plumbed to the toilets for the energy rating. Re: Does our house comply with the energy rating? 5Dec 10, 2012 10:29 pm Hi Liliana, As mentioned, the house's energy rating and its compliance for the 6 star standard are separate. Not having the water tank plumbed to the toilets or not having a solar HWS does not change the energy rating. That is my non professional understanding of it anyway. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Does our house comply with the energy rating? 6Dec 11, 2012 9:03 am Liliana Hi SaveH20, Right - well that answers my question - our house doesn't comply, unless they allow for alternative solutions. I really find it odd that the builder can just sign a certificate and this is enough proof that the energy rating was achieved. I thought the house would have had to have another energy rating done on completion if they are really serious about this. B STAR - the changes were made with my knowledge so it isn't really a question of wondering whether we got what we paid for - it is just that I've always wondered how they police this system and it was only today that I discovered that the rainwater tank (which we have) was supposed to be plumbed to the toilets for the energy rating. The building serveyor should not have given cert of Occupency without the conditions set out in the permit whether you approved them or not. Re: Does our house comply with the energy rating? 8Dec 22, 2012 11:38 pm That would have to be written into the Victorian 6 star standards to apply. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Does our house comply with the energy rating? 10Dec 23, 2012 8:41 am I rang the Building Commission about this and they said that the house does not comply. But then she pointed me to a document on their website here: http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/re ... 011_55.pdf which says: "As an alternative to the installation of rainwater tanks an RBS may consider the use of Grey water treatment systems or Dual water reticulation and water recycling systems connected to toilet flushing systems as an approach to approve a 6 Star rated house design." Our situation could attract an exemption therefore but it should have all been passed by the Building Surveyor and approved. With the present system they just rely on whatever certificates the builder and plumber supply being correct. And in our case it wasn't. But I'm not going to bother about anything now. Trouble for nothing and another lesson learnt. Re: Does our house comply with the energy rating? 11Dec 23, 2012 11:19 am So... The Building Commission has a recycled water alternative to a rain water tank that they may consider to meet a plumbing regulatory requirement for the 6 star rating. I can only assume that the designer didn't inform you of this. It is not publicised by the PIC or the DSE. How is the purchaser expected to know these things? A major viability of installing a tank is to use the water for sanitary flushing. It seems that you do not have this choice, instead, you have to pay for recycled water. You should have been informed by your designer as clearly you were of the belief (and understandably so) that the inclusion of the tank was necessary for 6 star compliance. Had you known this, then you may have opted for a solar HWS given that you have to (I assume) pay for recycled water. EDIT: Many builders in Victoria do not follow a manufacturers recommendation re the type and size of solar hot water systems best suited to different regions. This has resulted in the installation of cheap underperforming and unsuitable solar hot water services. It should also be noted that the need for builders to follow a manufacturer's recommendation has now been struck out of the National Construction Code. https://www.theage.com.au/national/vict ... x3dfd.html 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Does our house comply with the energy rating? 12Dec 23, 2012 3:04 pm Yes, we do have to pay for recycled water. The building designer didn't do any of the in-depth site research she was supposed to do. Really her philosophy I now realise was least effort for most gain and just do it and hope. Never mind. I've learnt a lot. thanks guys! yes this is how I've exactly raised it with the builder. still awaiting response. 12 4839 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 98119 of course there are legal avenues. You've already mentioned it. Sue them. I find it odd that lawyers wouldnt be willing to take on the case, given CCT evidence and… 1 14686 |