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Tag: energy efficiency
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Measuring health benefits of energy efficiency
Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston University, and Oregon State University have devised a new methodology that calculates the health and climate benefits from saving energy in buildings. The research is part of a four-year project called Co-benefits of the Built Environment (CoBE), which originally focused on calculating the health and […]
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ASHRAE awarded major grant for energy code training
US engineering body ASHRAE has earned a US$2.85 million (AUD$4.17 million) grant from the US Department of Energy Building Technologies Office for Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI). The program invests $225 million over five years, to “enable sustained cost-effective implementation of updated building energy codes.” The award will fund the “Energy Code Official – […]
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Victoria delays energy efficiency provisions
The Victorian government has confirmed that it will delay the adoption of key provisions in the National Construction Code until May 2024. Victoria has extended the transitional arrangements for updated energy efficiency, condensation mitigation requirements, and liveable housing requirements. This includes the lifting of minimum energy efficiency requirements for new homes from 6 to 7 […]
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Federal funding for community energy upgrades
The federal government has announced $100 million in funding to deliver energy upgrades for community facilities such as local pools, sporting clubs and community centres. The assistance is aimed at helping councils cut their emissions and reduce their energy bills. “The new $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund will co-fund upgrades with councils and has […]
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Governments eye crucial decade for energy efficiency
Australia is among 45 countries to have endorsed the goal of doubling the average global rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. In a ministerial statement released after the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) 8th Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Versailles, France, governments from across Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe highlighted the critical role […]
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NCC energy efficiency improvements put on hold?
The Victorian government has announced that some requirements in the National Construction Code that were due to come into effect in October 2023 may be delayed, including those around energy efficiency. In 2022, industry stakeholders advocated strongly to lift the minimum energy efficiency requirements for new homes from 6 to 7 NatHERS stars – the […]
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William Bahnfleth to speak at AIRAH webinar
William Bahnfleth will present an AIRAH Streamline session on integrating IAQ and energy-efficient buildings on June 8 at 12.30pm (AEST). As awareness increases about the need for better indoor air, and as we strive to reduce energy consumption in buildings, one of the biggest challenges is how to achieve both goals at the same time. […]
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Getting to grips with the energy-efficiency workforce
Australia is in a better position to evaluate its energy-efficiency workforce thanks to a new report that provides definitions of energy efficiency work. Energy efficiency definitions for the Australian Energy Employment Report was developed by the RACE for 2030, alongside the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) and the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC). […]
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Big investors Google and Sol Systems back small fixes
Google and clean-energy developer Sol Systems have unveiled a new approach to energy efficiency by pairing clean energy with community investment in two less prosperous US states. The two giant corporates are providing seed funding to three electricity co-operatives and a non-profit, all US-based outfits. The idea is to spend money upfront to make homes […]
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Federal government launches energy-efficiency grants
Small and medium businesses across Australia can now apply for grants of up to $25,000 to improve energy efficiency, save on energy bills and bring down emissions. The grants can be used for a wide range of activities, such as upgrading or replacing existing air conditioners with high-efficiency units, or replacing gas heating boilers with […]
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National conference to confront energy crisis
Returning to Sydney for the first time in five years, the National Energy Efficiency Conference 2023 (NEEC23) will take place over May 24–25. “NEEC23 will bring Australia’s foremost energy efficiency experts, forward-thinking policy makers, innovative energy users, political leaders and industry trailblazers together to network, debate and create action around reducing energy bills and cutting […]
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Aeroseal underused Down Under, says Clean-Air
HVAC hygiene experts Clean-Air are promoting the benefits of Aeroseal Duct Sealing technology, including the important role it can play in making buildings more energy efficient. Aeroseal is designed to reduce energy costs by increasing the efficiency of HVAC fans and by eliminating excess ventilation loads. “Sixty per cent of a building’s HVAC energy goes […]
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A clearer view of Australia’s commercial building stock
A new national report on energy consumption of buildings has revealed that Australia’s commercial building stock is almost double what was previously thought – and offers important signposts for the journey towards net zero. The 2022 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Baseline Study, published by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), […]
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ABCB seeking refrigeration case studies
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released a request for tender for case studies and analysis of energy efficiency for refrigerated spaces. This work will help determine whether such spaces will become regulated through the National Construction Code (NCC). The case studies will be site-specific, providing illustrative examples across the range of types of […]
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Government seeks input on improving energy performance
Consultation is now open on the National Energy Performance Strategy, which the federal government says will focus on easing pressure on energy bills, improving energy reliability and reducing emissions. The government has acknowledged there is much work to be done in this area – an assessment confirmed by international reviews. Australia was declared a “loser” […]
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Sound advice on building tuning
A.G. Coombs has published an advisory note on the advantages of building tuning, and how to implement it effectively. The publication outlines why effective building tuning is important, as well as how to address instability within a control system and its causes, and some of the common pitfalls in tuning strategies. According to A.G. Coombs, […]
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Study stirs ambition for efficient and healthy homes
The authors of a new study hope their work will act as a catalyst for industry change as Australia moves to net-zero-carbon housing. As well as providing in-depth technical information on moisture management and airtightness, it recommends how construction practices need to change to achieve highly energy-efficient, durable and healthy buildings. An Australian Based Study […]
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Plan to make Australia an energy-efficiency winner
The Australian federal government has kicked off work to develop a National Energy Performance Strategy. The announcement was made by Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister at the 2022 Energy Efficiency Summit in Sydney. “For too long, Australia’s efforts at reducing emissions and cutting energy costs have lacked a national plan that […]
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NT to adopt NCC 2019 energy-efficiency provisions
The Northern Territory has confirmed it will introduce energy-efficiency provisions for non-residential buildings, as specified in Section J of Volume One of NCC 2019. The decision was made after a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis was undertaken by energy-efficiency specialists DeltaQ. This examined the impact of the potential adoption of either the energy efficiency provisions in the […]
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NCC 2022 now available online
The 2022 version of the National Construction Code (NCC) is now available online. The major changes are the lifting of the minimum energy efficiency requirements for new homes from 6 to 7 NatHERS stars, and a new annual energy-use budget applicable to major appliances such as space conditioning, hot water, lighting, pool and spa pumps, […]