More on Artificial Lighting

Artificial Lighting is still the hot topic since the recently released Building Commission Practice Note 2011-55 clause 8.1 and BCA 2011 Section 3.12.5.5, with the provision to address artificial lighting.

My focus here is on the adjustment of ceiling insulation R values (R4.0, R5.0, etc...), due to loss of ceiling insulation mainly from recessed downlights as the area of ceiling insulation will be reduced. The loss of insulation will be required to be compensated for by increasing the R-Value of insulation in the remainder of the ceiling. This criteria has been added in BCA Section 3.12.1.2(e). Refer to Table 3.12.1.1b taken from BCA.




Example 1:
For a dwelling with no downlights, the ceiling insulation adjustment will not be required. Ceiling insulation to remain as is.

Example 2:
For a dwelling with 20-off downlights.
Ceiling area penetrated is: 3.8
Assuming total ceiling area: 200
Percentage penetrated: 2.43%
Ceiling insulation R3.5 required for 6-star. Adjustment is: R4.8

This adjustment is to apply for single-storey dwellings. For double-storey dwellings, adjustment will apply to ceilings exposed to the elements.

FAQ: Does this ceiling insulation adjustment or quantity of downlights affect star rating?
Answer: NO. Ceiling adjustment does not affect the star rating energy efficiency.
 

The New Ticket Item - Artificial Lighting

The new ticket item in the recently released Building Commission Practice Note 2011-55 clause 8.1 and BCA 2011 Section 3.12.5.5, is the provision to address artificial lighting. It provides for the maximum power consumption by the lights in a space.

The artificial lighting provision is not to exceed the following:

·        5W/m2 for habitable spaces;

·        4W/m2 for verandah or balcony attached to a class 1 building;

·        3W/m2 for a class 10.

The above will apply to classes 1, 2 and 4, and will need to be clearly documented by the Energy Consultant or the Designer, and then provided to the relevant Building Surveyor.

There are a few items that remain the same after the introduction of 6-stars. Regulations for rainwater tanks and solar hot water systems have not changed. Either a rain water tank of minimum capacity of 2000 litres or a solar water heater system are still required when constructing new homes.

Sustainability Update

In accordance with the current Victorian Building Commission Practice Note 2011 – 55, an alteration or extension to an existing dwelling does NOT require either a rain water tank or solar hot water service. Clause 9.1.

6 Stars is around the corner!!

6-star energy efficiency is just around the corner for Victoria, starting from May 2011. If you are not aware, it already applies to other states such as: ACT, QLD and SA. This is another article to assist you in your design to improve energy efficiency in the most cost-effective way. We will be assessing insulation to garage ceilings. This is not a common practice by builders, but it will be prudent to consider.

Below is a simple house which has been assessed in different orientations with and without ceiling garage insulation.

From the above assessments, having garage ceiling insulation of R3.5, all orientations comply in accordance with 6-star energy efficiency. This is advisable and recommended for design, and can be very beneficial for volume builders’ master designs.

Sustainability Update

In accordance with the current Victorian Building Commission Practice Note 2008 – 55, an alteration or extension to an existing dwelling does NOT require either a rain water tank or solar hot water service.

Are you Ready for 6 Stars?

The 6-star regulations are almost here! I am aiming to bring you up to speed with the changes in this edition and in those to follow. 

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is: “When will the 6 star regulations commence?” The simple answer is, for Victoria they will commence from 1 May this year, as per BCA 2010 and the Building Commission. In other states such as: ACT, QLD and SA, they already commenced last year.

A point of confusion was whether 6 star energy efficiency is required, even if the design process was carried out prior to May this year. I called the Building Commission to clarify this, and they advised the following: that if there is substantial evidence that the design was carried out prior to May 2011, then a 5 star energy report carried out later on, will still be applicable and comply. However if there is no evidence, then a 6 star energy report will be required.

My focus from here on, will be about your designs complying with the new regulations.

When you’re designing new projects, consider the inherent thermal efficiencies of these wall types, ranked most efficient to least efficient.

This was briefly discussed in our September 2010 issue:
 

1. Hebel Panels
2. Polystyrene (EPS)
3. Brick work
4. Weatherboard
5. FC Sheet Cladding
6. Metal Cladding

Where possible, try to minimise either FC cladding and metal cladding. If possible, it is recommended to install them on either North and/or East facade, as they are the least thermal energy efficient. Also where possible, it is recommended to install Hebel panels and EPS on the thermal weak points on either south and/or west facade, as they are the most thermal energy efficient.

Another question I often get asked is about window frames. Which is more energy efficient, timber frame type or aluminium?Timber frame type are generally about 10% more energy efficient than aluminium window frames.

With the garage being north facing and standard insulation applied (refer drawings below):

 Drawings: courtesy of Simonds Homes, used by permission 

Energy efficiency rating with aluminium is: 5.9 stars
Energy efficiency rating with timber is: 6.0 stars (complies with new Code)

For further information, feel free to contact our office on 03 9390 2934 or by email info@efficientenergychoices.com.au. 


Visit our website www.efficientenergychoices.com.au. 

Talk again in the next edition, stay tuned!


Karim Ghobrial
Electrical Engineer; Energy and Sustainability Consultant

Energy Efficiency Rating for Apartments PART 2

Happy New Year to you and I hope you‘ve had a restful and safe Christmas break.
Following my previous newsletter (in Nov 2010), I thought to write more on the same topic because of the increasing demand on multi-level apartment projects, and Victorian government is encouraging higher density living.

To re-cap what I discussed last November, the below matrix summarises current and upcoming regulations from May 2011.

	Energy Efficiency Requirements for Apartments for Classes 2 and 4	Comments and application for insulation
Current Regulations BCA 2009 Section J0.2	Individual apartment to be not less than 3 stars Combined average of all apartments to be not less than 5 stars Services not required	External walls to be insulated by minimum R1.5 Wall insulation between apartments not required, only optional Highest floor to be insulated by minimum R2.5 Ceiling insulation between apartments not required, only optional
From May 2011 Regulations BCA 2010 Section J0.2	Individual apartment to be not less than 5 stars Combined average of all apartments to be not less than 6 stars BCA Section 3.12.5.5, artificial lighting requirement to be 5W/m2 for living areas	External walls to be insulated by minimum R2.0 Wall insulation between apartments recommended minimum of R1.5 Highest floor to be insulated by minimum R3.5 Ceiling insulation between apartments recommended minimum of R2.5

Is Section J required for multi-level apartments?

Short answer is Yes. Multi-level apartment buildings are considered as class 2 type. A brief Section J energy assessment will be required for the common areas and basement carparks (Class 7a). If the proposed building has either retail (Class 6) or commercial offices (Class 5), then these areas will require a full Section J energy assessment to include: fabric, glazing and services such as airconditioning and artificial lighting.

Sustainability Tip

To satisfy ESD requirements, energy efficient electrical appliances and efficient water fixtures to be within one point of the highest efficiency available on the market. This is to apply for items which are part of the base building works.

For further information, feel free to contact our office on 03 9390 2934 or by email info@efficientenergychoices.com.au. 

Visit our website www.efficientenergychoices.com.au. 

Karim Ghobrial
Electrical Engineer; Energy and Sustainability Consultant

Energy Efficiency Rating for Apartments

A few weeks ago, I was speaking to one of our valued Developers, who had questions about the energy efficiency rating for apartments.  It seems to be a grey area that is not clearly understood.  With the new regulations coming into effect May 2011, I thought to write this newsletter to dispel some of the mysteries.

In the table below, I have simplified the current and future requirements of the BCA.

	Energy Efficiency Requirements for Apartments for Classes 2 and 4	Comments and application for insulation
Current Regulations BCA 2009 Section J0.2	·         Individual apartment to be not less than 3 stars ·         Combined average of all apartments to be not less than 5 stars ·         Services not required	·         External walls to be insulated by minimum R1.5 ·         Wall insulation between apartments not required, only optional ·         Highest floor to be insulated by minimum R2.5 ·         Ceiling insulation between apartments not required, only optional
From May 2011 Regulations BCA 2010 Section J0.2	·         Individual apartment to be not less than 5 stars ·         Combined average of all apartments to be not less than 6 stars ·         BCA Section 3.12.5.5, artificial lighting requirement to be 5W/m2 for living areas	·         External walls to be insulated by minimum R2.0 ·         Wall insulation between apartments recommended minimum of R1.5 ·         Highest floor to be insulated by minimum R3.5 ·         Ceiling insulation between apartments recommended minimum of R2.5

Sustainability Tip

For building permit application, rainwater tank and solar hot water are not required for either the BCA or Building Commission requirement for class 2 and 4 buildings. However, they may be requested by Councils for planning applications as an ESD management requirement.

However, a rainwater tank or a solar hot water system is required for class 1 buildings (detached or units) as part of the Building Commission Practice Note 2008 – 55 requirement.

For further information, feel free to contact myself at Efficient Energy Choices, on 03 9390 2934 or via email at info@efficientenergychoices.com.au. 

Share your feedback or questions....

Talk again soon,

Karim Ghobrial
Electrical Engineer; Energy and Sustainability Consultant

NEWSFLASH - R2.5 to fit inside a 90mm Stud Wall

Over the last couple of years, I have spoken to many people who have found it difficult to find wall insulation batts of R2.5 to fit inside a 90mm stud wall.

Recently, I came across an email update from The Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand (ICANZ). The members are Bradford and Fletcher insulation. Fletcher has just come out with these great pink batts products of R2.5 and R2.7 that can fit inside a 90mm stud wall. You can visit their website for more information http://www.insulation.com.au/.

When it comes to energy rating and assessment, additional wall insulation can make a huge difference and save on other material and labour costs on site to comply. I recently rated this large double-storey house of approximately 45 sq/m for a volume builder. The house (depicted below) has a large number of windows and I found it difficult to achieve 5 stars compliance.

Drawing: courtesy of Simonds Homes, used by permission.

The table below outlines our findings:

	Ceiling Insulation	Wall Insulation	Energy Rating Efficiency	Comments
1st trial	R3.5 for upper floor	R2.0	4.8	Standard insulation throughout the house. Ceiling insulation only for upper floor
2nd trial	R3.5 per floor	R2.0	5.6	A significant increase for energy rating efficiency. Ceiling insulation per each floor would be required, adding additional material and labour costs. However, this cost is minimal in comparison to double-glazing or treated glazing.
3rd trial	R3.5 for upper floor	R2.5	5.0	A sufficient increase for energy rating efficiency to comply. Ceiling insulation only for upper floor. The only additional cost is to upgrade the wall insulation from R2.0 to R2.5. This is a minor cost increase in comparison to the 2nd trial.

As you can see from the above trials, R2.5 for wall insulation can be very effective for compliance, whether to current regulations for 5 stars or for upcoming regulations, 6 stars from May 2011. 

What are your thoughts on this one?

Cheers

Karim Ghobrial