Insummary the new 6 star energy rating regulations will mean a changeto the way builders, architects and building designers conduct theirbusiness. To ensure a smooth transition, the integration of energyratings into your system needs to be thought out before it ismandatory.
May1st 2012 is when the minimum energy efficiency star rating requiredfor residential projects will be increased to 6 stars.
Therehas been a lot of work going into investigating the effects thatthese new energy rating requirements will have on the buildingindustry
Thisis to ensure the changes required to building processes can be metwithout disruption or excessive cost.
Howeverthere is more to complying with the new energy efficiency regulationsthan just getting a 6 star rating from theHouse Energy Rating Software(HERS). TheBCA has included other clauses which must be complied with,in addition to the energy assessmentperformed by your energy rating assessor.
In this article we will look at complying with the Ceiling InsulationPenetrations regulation - BCA Vol 2 3.12.1.2(e)
In essence this regulation states that, if you have to reduce theamount of ceiling insulation due to the installation of exhaust fans,flues or recessed down lights, then the ceiling insulation needs toincrease in the remainder of the ceiling to compensate for this.
This is to be done AFTER the your initial energy rating has beencarried out.
Example:
You have an energy rating performed on a 250m house.
This house achieves a 6 star energy rating. With specified ceilinginsulation of R3.0.
Your client then decides that they want recessed down lights. Thesedown lights along with the exhaust fans and flues total 2.5m
This equates to 1.0% of the ceiling space.
According to Table 3.12.1.1b of the BCA the insulation you wouldactually need to put in would be R3.6.
When an Energy Rating is done for you by your energy rating assessor,ensure the ceiling penetration calculations are included in theprocess.
This can be done by providing you with a compliance report* thatnominates the maximum percentage of ceiling insulation penetrationsand removes the need to provide an electrical plan which may vary.This will help to ensure the energy efficiency compliance process isa smooth one.
You should ensure that your energy ratings assessor has extensiveknowledge of the energy efficiency regulations and can make your jobeasier.
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