Studies highlight cost effective measures to achieve energy efficiency
25/Feb/2007
The Insulation Council of Australia & New Zealand (ICANZ) and the Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation (FWPRDC) have released two studies showing that suspended timber floor construction is entirely compatible with achieving the new national and state regulations for thermal comfort.
Commissioned independently by ICANZ and FWPRDC the two studies give home owners, building designers and builders a menu of simple yet cost effective options to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
Dennis D’Arcy, ICANZ President said “With the smarter use of existing low cost options such as increasing wall and ceiling insulation, installing ceiling fans, improved glazing and draft proofing, the 5 Star Building Code of Australia and NSW BASIX energy efficiency provisions can easily and cost effectively be achieved”.
Stephen Mitchell, Sustainability Program Manager with the Timber Development Association (TDA) said, “Both studies show a range of simple strategies and their benefit in terms of predicted energy savings for heating and cooling a home as well as the approximate costs of installation.
“What we’ve independently found is that energy savings in homes with enclosed suspended timber floors are quite achievable at minimal extra cost in materials or labour.”
“People living in the hot, temperate and even cool climates can easily achieve the improved comfort of an energy efficient home and enjoy the many advantages of suspended timber floors” Mr. Mitchell said. “Our research is showing that by being smart about wall and ceiling insulation, window detail and even roof colour people can make significant improvements to the energy efficiency of their homes.”
The findings support the experience in the field. Bernard Hocking, technical consultant for the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA) said, “Timber, plus smart design and the right insulation in the right place makes achieving 5 Star and BASIX easy.”
There is now much market evidence to show that sustainability has become a key driver in the real estate market, with energy efficiency an increasingly important criteria for potential homes buyers.
Mr. D’Arcy added, “The findings would be important to governments, builders, building designers and home owners alike because of the flexibility offered in choosing the most appropriate and cost effective measures to improve the comfort of their homes and meet new energy efficiency requirements.”
