How you can support BASIX
(or make compliance as painless as possible)

One of BASIX’s most appealing features is its flexibility. It can be useful to think of the 40% energy and water targets as destinations; you can get there however you want. If you’re determined to have a west-facing wall full of unshaded windows, then it’s likely that your BASIX journey is going to be long and arduous. However, small changes, additions and inclusions to your new home do add up, and can smooth your BASIX road. Here’s New Home Buyer’s guide to some of the less obvious, but suprisingly effective tactics you can employ to make you new house more energy and water efficient.

Think about native plants
BASIX wouldn’t be legislation if it didn’t contradict another piece of legislation. As far as BASIX is concerned, the less landscaping area you have on your property, the better. The more thirsty dirt you have, the bigger your rainwater tank is going to have to be to service it. In most local council’s opinion, however, the more landscaping you have, the better. Not only does it look good, but it also provides area for stormwater to soak in as it heads downstream, reducing the risk of flooding in low-lying areas. The best compromise is to plan to include as many native plants as possible. BASIX recognises that these plants aren’t nearly as thirsty as introduced species, and your council will be pleased that you’re providing a habitat for native fauna, as well as helping control the stormwater flow.

Put a window in your kitchen ... ... and your bathroom.
In order to reduce a new home’s thermal load, there’s been a tendency to think of windows as an enemy of energy efficiency. However, whilst space heating and cooling is responsible for a massive 13% of the average Sydney dwelling’s greenhouse gas emissions, it shouldn’t be forgotten that lighting is responsible for a substantial 8%.

BASIX predicts that if you’re lacking natural light in a room (either from a window or a skylight), as soon as you walk in, even if the midday sun is blazing outside, you’re going to turn a light on, and begin using energy. As such, it will reward you for including windows in those rooms that commonly miss out – specifically, kitchens and bathrooms – as BASIX predicts that you’ll be less likely to flick a switch. This simple measure can provide up to 5 of the 40% energy saving your home needs to achieve BASIX compliance.

Resist the lure of the halogen downlight
New home buyers flock towards downlights like moths to a bug zapper. They’re very sleek, modern and unobtrusive. However, there’s nothing subtle about their effect on your energy bill, or the environment. In many rooms, where traditionally one central light globe and fitting would have sufficed, around 10 downlights will now jostle for position in the ceiling.

However, for those who really want the downlight look, alternatives are being developed. Manufacturers claim that replacing thirty halogen downlights with thirty compact fluorescent downlights will save you around $340 a year in electricity bills. Better yet, it’s a relatively cheap way of contributing to your BASIX energy target.

Location, Location, Location
If you haven’t committed to a specific area, or even a particular block of land, picking carefully can save you a lot of money and hassle. The first thing to ensure is that there is gas available. Installing gas hot water, cooking and heating systems are some of the most painless ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

If you’re buying vacant land in Sydney’s west, make sure your block has access to recycled water. Connecting to this as your alternative water source costs far less than installing a rainwater tank, and actually saves more water.