What is a BASIX Certificate?

BASIX – The Building Sustainability Index, is an online planning tool aimed at reducing the environmental impact of new residential development. 

The BASIX certificate was introduced into the development approval process in NSW on 1 July 2004. It comes under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act of 1979.

The BASIX Certificate aims to enable NSW to become a state that has dwellings which can withstand the heat of summer and the cold of winter, cutting down greenhouse gases and water consumption.

Stakeholders are now designing, building and living in sustainable, resilient and more comfortable residential developments.

What are the Benefits that Result from a BASIX Certificate?

Benefits include a reduced impact on the environment through the decreased use of fossil fuels, the increased comfort of effective natural lighting & ventilation, and the increased resale value of dwellings due to long-term cost savings and lower energy bills.

BASIX is a Web-based Planning Tool

BASIX stands for building sustainability index.

It is a web-based planning tool, designed to assess the potential water, thermal comfort, and energy performance of new homes.

This is done against a range of sustainability indices: Water, Thermal Comfort and Energy. The Building Sustainability Index aims to reduce the environmental impact of new residential development. Also, to produce homes that are more comfortable and cheaper to run than most existing homes.

NSW BASIX Checklist

The NSW BASIX Checklist provides a checklist of all the information you need to complete a BASIX assessment. Note you can ignore sections that don’t apply. For example if you do not have a private dam, you can ignore that section.

This information details such things as:

• Water Fittings – bathrooms, toilets. laundry and kitchen specifications.

• Energy Fittings – cooling, heating, cooking and ventilation specifications.

• Site Area – of the lot that the house will be built on.

• Roof Area – this information allows the assessor to work out how much of the roof can be used to harvest rainwater.

• Landscaping detail.

• Contact details for applicant, owner builder, glazier etc.

Click here for the: The BASIX Checklist – Single Dwelling Certificate Information Guide

Basixally Energy Assessments are an ABSA approved assessor

We look after the entire process of obtaining your BASIX certification – ready for council submission.

What is the BASIX NSW Assessment Criteria?

A BASIX certificate is a requirement for the development application process.

The BASIX NSW certificate substantiates that your future building project abides by the NSW Government’s sustainability targets.

• The main elements of energy efficient housing relate to:
• Building orientation – Well thought out home orientation maximises passive-solar design principles. In winter, great design takes advantage of the free natural warmth of the sun and in summer, cooling breezes.
• Internal room layout
• Window placement, type, sizing and shading
• Use of insulation
• Cross ventilation
• Draught proofing or sealing
• Use of appropriate heat absorbing and heat reflecting building materials
• Landscaping choices
• Use of energy efficient appliances

How is the BASIX Certificate Assessed?

A BASIX certificate is a document generated by the BASIX online tool which demonstrates the list of provisions and requirements of a residential development to comply with the regulations.

After the construction of a residential project is finished and prior to issue of an occupation certificate for the project – BASIX certificate compliance must be endorsed and certified by the principal certifying authority of the project.

More information about BASIX, including the requirements for completing a BASIX assessment, is available on the BASIX website – www.basix.nsw.gov.au.

Water

Water, one of the sustainability indices of BASIX, aims to reduce the potable water consumption of all new residential developments.

The water reduction target ranges from 40% to 0% depending on the climatic zone.

The BASIX targets are determined from data provided by state and federal energy and water utilities. It also includes long-term climate data from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Water consumption and savings will be assessed on:

• Landscape
• Fittings and fixtures
• Alternative water sources and how they are used
• Pools and outdoor spas

Thermal Comfort

Thermal Comfort, another one of the sustainability indices of the BASIX tool, assesses the heating and cooling loads placed on a new dwelling by its fabric.

It does not assess the heating and cooling appliance or fuel type – these are assessed in the Energy Index.

The Thermal Comfort Section of BASIX aims to:

•  Ensure thermal comfort for a dwelling’s occupants appropriate to the climate and season.         
•  Provide the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from artificial cooling and heating. This is achieved with good building design and use of appropriate construction materials.
• Reduce the demand for new, or upgraded, energy infrastructure.

Energy

Energy, is also one of the sustainability indices of BASIX which aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of all new residential dwellings.

The energy target ranges from 10% to 50% reductions from the benchmark, depending on the climatic zone and the building type.

The BASIX targets are determined from data provided by state and federal energy and water utilities and the Bureau of Meteorology.

Energy consumption and savings will be assessed on:

• Hot water systems
• Heating and cooling
• Ventilation
• Lighting
• Pools and spas
• Alternative energy sources
• Other energy uses

What do Higher or Lower Scores Mean?

• For a water score and an energy score – higher is better.
• For thermal comfort performance, a heating load and a cooling load – lower is better.

Water and energy Scores

The water and energy scores represent the estimated water and energy consumption of the development compared to the consumption of a similar ‘benchmark’ dwelling prior to the introduction of the BASIX requirements in 2004.

For example, if a proposed house has a water score of 40%, it means the BASIX Tool has estimated it will use 40% less water than a similar benchmark house.

Thermal Comfort and Performance Scores

For thermal comfort performance, a high heating load indicates it will have relatively high heating costs in winter to keep the home warm. Similarly, a high cooling load indicates it will have relatively high cooling costs in summer to keep the home cool.

The BASIX Requirements

The BASIX requirements consist of:

• A water savings target, which depends on the location – it ranges between 0% and 40%.
• An energy savings target, which depends on the location and the type of development (different targets apply to houses, and low, medium and high-rise apartments) ranges between 10% and 50%.
• For thermal performance, a heating cap and a cooling cap, which depend on the location and the type of development (different caps apply to houses and apartments).

The water and energy savings targets vary by location to ensure the BASIX requirements do not place an excessive cost burden on developments in certain region.

Meeting the BASIX Requirements

• To meet the BASIX requirements, a development must have:
• A water score that meets or exceeds the water savings target
• An energy score that meets or exceeds the energy savings target, and
• For thermal comfort performance, a heating load less than the heating cap, and a cooling load less than the cooling cap.

Validity of the BASIX Certificate and Changes to Your Project

BASIX Certificate Validity

• A BASIX certificate is valid for 3 months, prior to submission to council or accredited certifier.
• Once your BASIX certificate is lodged with the council or accredited certifier it is valid for the
• maximum life of the development application.
• If your BASIX certificate is not lodged within 3 months a new certificate will need to be generated. This will incur additional fees.

Tip: To avoid additional fees we recommend the BASIX report function is used until your design is finalised and ready for lodgement.

If you Make Changes to Your Project

If you have made changes to your project, the BASIX certificate will need to be updated. This will mean:

• Completing another BASIX assessment and printing a new certificate.
• There is no additional charge to revise an issued certificate if it relates to the same property and project recorded on the original certificate. It must also have been lodged or be valid to be lodged.
• The commitments that you make for your project (as shown on the BASIX certificate), must be noted on the plans.

Do Swimming Pools Need a BASIX Certificate?

• If you are building a new dwelling and including a swimming pool of any size it will need to comply with BASIX.
• If you are lodging plans for your pool as an alteration and addition you will need to comply with BASIX only if the volume of the pool is more than 40,000 litres.
• The BASIX requirements relating to the installation of a pool will depend on pool size, heating type and the water target zone.

What about alterations and additions?

BASIX applies to all alterations and additions in NSW that are valued at $50 000 and over and/or involve the installation of a pool and/or spa with a total volume greater than 40,000 litres. BASIX aims to reduce potential water consumption and emissions by encouraging efficiency improvements.

The alterations and additions section of the BASIX assessment tool:

• Reduces the energy required to heat and cool homes through improved glazing, insulation, building design and construction materials
• Requires at least 40% of new or altered light fixtures to be fitted with high efficiency globes
• Promotes the installation of solar, gas, heat pump or wood systems instead of high emission electric hot water systems
• Requires all new taps, toilets and showerheads have a minimum efficiency rating of 3 WELS stars
• Reduces pool and spa emissions by phasing out high emission electric heating systems
• Reduces water consumption in pools and spas by encouraging rainwater tanks and covers to reduce evaporation

And lastly……..

Ian at Basixally Energy Assessments has had extensive experience for all types of developments that require BASIX certification throughout NSW. By using a trained professional to complete your BASIX Certification, cost savings during the construction stage and ongoing occupation of the dwelling can be achieved with expert BASIX consulting.

Our ongoing, up to date research and training guarantees our commitment to customers to continue to provide reliable, affordable and prompt service.

Ian regularly participates in industry training and networking to identify and utilise the latest products and developments in the housing industry.

BASIX Resources

Remember to check out our BASIX Certificate Hub. It’s your BASIX Resource – full of information to help you understand the world of sustainability for your home.

More information about BASIX, including the requirements for completing a BASIX assessment, is available on the BASIX website – www.basix.nsw.gov.au.

To learn how BASIX Assessor Basixally Energy Assessments can work with you to achieve your BASIX certification requirements please contact us about your BASIX assessment.

Get a quote here to learn about the BASIX Certificate cost: https://basixallyenergyassessments.com.au/get-a-quote/