|
Thursday, 1 May 2008
In the Victorian Greenhouse
Policy issued on 5 June
2005, the Victorian
Government committed to
requiring renovations and
extensions to homes to
achieve the 5 Star standard.
On 1 May 2008, the requirement for alterations to achieve 5
Star will come into effect in the Building Code of Australia
2008 (BCA 2008). The extension brings Victoria in line with
national standards.
The new standard for renovations or relocations applies to
the thermal performance of a home and does not require a solar
hot water system or a rainwater tank for toilet flushing.
Renovations and relocations in the period prior to 1 May 2008
are still required to meet the BCA requirements. However,
consumers should remember the considerable comfort,
environmental and economic benefits that flow from building to
the 5 Star standard.
The Relevant Building Surveyor has discretion to allow
partial compliance for smaller extensions or extensive
alterations where the requirement is impractical. The Building
Commission will provide guidance and technical advice to
building practitioners.
A Standard Cost Model report measures the cost to industry of
the proposed amendment to the BCA 2008. Click
here to download the report. (115KB). Click
here to download the appendix. (16KB).
The Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC)
has reviewed the report and assessed it as adequate. Click
here to view VCEC's assessment of the report. (70KB)
For further information about the new regulation, contact
the Building Commission telephone hotline on 1300 360 380.
Victoria's 5 Star rating for new homes is a key feature of
the Victorian Government's environmental policy and will help
save our finite energy and water resources.
Introduced from 1 July 2005, the 5 Star standard now requires
all new homes in Victoria to include a greater range of energy
efficiency and water saving features, improving occupant comfort
and reducing energy bills.
From 1 May 2008, the 5 Star standard will be extended to
cover renovations and relocation of homes.
As a result of 5 Star, Victorians will enjoy new and
renovated homes that are:
- better quality and more comfortable
- cheaper to operate
- environmentally sound
- good for Victoria's economy
What does the 5 Star standard mean for you?
The 5 Star standard benefits the environment, drives
innovation in design and product development and provides
savings for consumers. It ensures that all new homes offer
improved energy and water saving features by way of a home
rating system similar to that used for domestic appliances.
The 5 Star standard is performance-based rather than
prescriptive, allowing designers, builders and home-owners
flexibility and choice on how to design and construct a 5 Star
house. At the same time, this encourages innovation, helps
minimise costs and, importantly, benefits the environment.
With appropriate design and attention to details, the cost of
complying with the 5 Star standard is minimised.
Achieving 5 Star
The Residential
sustainability measures practice notes 2006-2007(117KB) on
the implementation of Victoria's 5 Star standard for new homes,
together with options for compliance is available for
practitioners.
To allow time for builders to achieve compliance with 5 Star,
the transitional period for homes with a timber sub-floor
construction, mud brick homes and relocatable homes was extended
until 31 August 2007. These types of buildings are now required
to comply with the 5 Star standard.
And from 1 May 2008, the 5 Star standard will be extended to
home renovations and relocations, taking full affect in the
Building Code of Australia (BCA).
Some important points
- The 5 Star standard applies to all new homes and
apartments (BCA Class 1 and 2 buildings).
- From 1 May 2008, an alteration to a home or relocated
home will be required to achieve the 5 Star standard.
- The new standard for renovations and relocations of
existing homes does not require a solar hot water system or
a rainwater tank for toilet flushing.
- Home maintenance projects, such as refitting of kitchens
and bathrooms, will not be affected by the new regulations.
- With alterations, the Relevant Building Surveyor will be
authorised to allow partial compliance for smaller
extensions and extensive alterations where the requirement
is impractical. The Building Commission will provide
guidance and technical advice to building practitioners on
how the new measures should be applied and will issue a
revision to Practice Note No 55.
5 Star homes are cheaper to run
An independent report has revealed that 5 Star adds only
around two per cent to the average upfront cost of building, and
this is offset by reduced household energy and water bills over
the life of a home. Average annual savings from 5 Star homes:
- $200 on household heating and cooling bills
- $100 saving on hot water for installing a solar hot
water system and
- $50 saving on water bills for installing a rainwater
tank - and the potential for even more if used wisely.
5 Star homes also need smaller heating and cooling systems
that cost less to buy and to operate.
The Research
report summary on the direct cost of compliance with the 5 Star
standard for new housing is available to download.
5 Star homes are more comfortable
Even without using the heating or cooling systems, 5 Star
homes are up to 5 degrees warmer in winter and 10 degrees cooler
in summer than the typical 2 Star new home built prior to the
introduction of the 5 Star standard.
5 Star homes are good for Victoria's economy
Annual energy savings in Victoria are estimated to be worth
$30-40 million within five years of the introduction of 5 Star.
Over the next 20 years the 5 Star standard will result in:
- Increased economic growth in Victoria of up to $570
million.
- 1,100 new jobs in the energy-efficient product
manufacturing sector.
- More money on energy-efficient building products and
services.
- Lower energy bills as 5 Star houses consume less energy
for heating and cooling.
5 Star homes benefit the environment
Within five years, energy-efficient homes will save Victoria
more than 200,000 tonnes of greenhouses gases annually. This is
equivalent to removing 45,000 cars from our roads, or planting
750,000 trees. With the extension of 5 Star energy-efficiency
measures to home renovations, even greater benefits will be
realised.
Homes that require less cooling will help reduce pressure on
Victoria's power supplies during high-use summer periods.
source http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/1619-5-star-renovations-and-relocations-from-1-may-2008.asp
|
