BASIX Certificate: An Insightful Guide

BASIX, or The Building Sustainability Index, was conceptualized and implemented as a crucial part of the NSW Government’s 2004 sustainability initiative to ‘encourage energy and water-efficient residential development’ and is included in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. 

The BASIX certificate aims to promote more resilient residential dwellings in NSW along with minimizing greenhouse gasses and water consumption.

BASIX was established to fulfill targets of approximately up to 40% reductions in potable water consumption as well as a reduction in carbon footprint by up to 25%. Consequently, such sustainable practices deliver financial savings for the homeowner. 

What Is BASIX Assessment?

A BASIX certificate is a mandatory document required in the development application process in NSW and entails several criteria, including:

• Location of the residential development
• Orientation and size of the building
• Construction type of the residential development
• Window size, glazing, and type of the residential building
• The residential structure surrounding the landscape 
• Appliances and electronics utilized within the building.

Additionally, it also takes into account the thermal comfort levels, which reduce the number of artificial sources of energy used by dwellings for heating or cooling the house to a comfortable level. 

Apart from contributing to a sustainable urban planning future, the occupants of the residential structure will also financially benefit through minimal water and energy bills. Thus the market value of BASIX certified houses increases substantially.

Another sustainability tool for both residential (apartments) and commercial development is the NABERS rating. This rating scale involves a 1-6 star rating, with 6 being market-leading and 1 being the lowest level having considerable scope for improvement.  

Which Types Of Buildings Require BASIX Certificate?

The development application phase of every new residential development constructed in NSW of $50,000 or more requires a BASIX certificate. Residential dwellings include:

• Single dwelling developments 
• Dual-occupancy dwellings
• Townhouses
• Villas and private bungalows
• Low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise multi-unit residential developments
• Guesthouses
• Hostels have living accommodation. 
• Lodging houses
• Backpacker accommodation
• Multi-unit developments
• Swimming pools and/or outdoor spa pool plants with water capacity more than or equal to 40,000 liters or 40 kilolitres.
• Additionally, alterations or renovation to existing dwellings costing greater than $50,000 also requires a BASIX certificate.

The development application (DA) phase of all new residential constructions in New South Wales (NSW) requires a BASIX certification. This applies to all new NSW residential dwellings that cost $50,000 or more.

NABERS rating calculator, on the other hand, considers the energy consumption of the building as a whole, tenancy energy consumption, and base building rating. 

The three types of residential buildings in NSW include:

Single dwellings

This type of residential development is the most traditional and simple. It involves single houses on a single lot, bungalows, a single part of a semi-detached home, cottages, and secondary residential developments. 

The three elements of sustainable design used to calculate single dwellings include water consumption, greenhouse gas production, and thermal comfort. 

Multi dwellings

Multi-dwelling includes two houses on a single lot, dual-occupancy dwellings, row houses, townhouses, residential flat buildings, bungalows and villas, low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise multi-unit developments, hostels, lodging houses, guest houses, backpacker accommodation, shop top houses and a new principal dwelling and a new secondary dwelling such as a granny flat.

Similar to other dwellings, the multi-dwelling sustainability assessment also considers the factors of water usage, energy consumption, and thermal comfort. For these types of residential developments, such as residential flat buildings, apartments and skyscrapers NABERS rating is also a good choice. 

 Alterations and Additions

Alterations and renovations to an existing residential structure costing greater than $50,000 or more also need a BASIX certificate. 

How Is The Basix Certificate Assessed?

To assess the BASIX certificate, you can utilize the accredited online Assessment Tool, which will calculate the sustainability of your residential project. 

The assessment tool compares data of your proposed residential project design against the NSW Government’s water and energy targets. A BASIX report and certificate are issued upon meeting the BASIX target requirements and paying a fee.

Similarly, the NABERS rating calculator calculates several factors to assign a particular rating to residential or commercial development. 

Difference Between NatHERS And BASIX Certification 

BASIX can be defined as an NSW government initiative explicitly crafted to enhance the environmental sustainability of residential construction. 

It defines minimum compliance standards in the following three sections: water, thermal, and energy. NatHERS, on the other hand, is a national scheme that entails the thermal assessment of a residential project for generating a NatHERS energy rating. NatHERS rating can be utilized for the BASIX thermal comfort section. 

For accomplishing the best thermal rating and energy performance of the residential development, both BASIX and a NatHERS energy rating are recommended. 

Can Passive House Design Help With BASIX Certification?

As Australian homes driven by sustainability compliance protocols such as BASIX certificate, NatHERS, and NABERS rating are becoming increasingly well insulated and airtight, some design and construction feature conceptualized professionals are using Passive House as an integrated, physics-based approach to ensure the residential buildings perform to avoid air quality and mold concerns.

Most of the principles of Passive House designs have a passive solar design, though with some fundamental exceptions. A Certified Passive House can help to obtain a BASIX Compliance certificate and should have:

• Appropriate levels of thermal insulation
• A sustainable design to reduce thermal bridges
• Airtightness
• High-performance doors and windows
• Facilities for adequate mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.

Design Tips For Passing The BASIX Certification

Water Section    

• Increase showerhead rating for optimal water flow
• Improve the rating of the toilet, kitchen taps, and bathroom taps 
• Install a rainwater tank with a capacity of greater than 2000L       
• Increase the roof area connected to the water tank adding up to 80%-90% of the total roof area. 

Energy section

• Increase the rating of the hot water system and change the selection to the electric or solar heat pump. 
• Reduce cooling and heating systems ratings 
• Strategically day-light zone the bedroom and living areas
• Introduce ceiling fans
• Design well ventilated refrigeration space
• Introduce both outdoor and indoor clothes drying line

Thermal Section

In case your heating and cooling loads are both too high:

• Modify the external wall insulation
• Increase R-values of ceiling insulation
• Modify the internal wall insulation shared with the garage
• Use double glazing for windows beginning with windows facing north

• For excessive heating, loads use high solar e gain windows, modify roof and external wall color to dark shades, and minimize overshadowing.

• Fir excessive cooling loads adjust window opening percentages, design windows with minimal solar gain, especially in kitchen/living area, and use light color palettes for roof and external wall color.

Get BASIX Certificate For Residential Project 

Get your BASIX certification done by professional building consultants having years of expertise to reduce the chances of error. Fastrack your residential project and ensure compliance with sustainability standards such as BASIX and NABERS rating.