BASIX Certificates, Assessment Reports and Consulting Sydney
Gradwell Consulting has extensive experience in providing BASIX Certificates and thermal performance modelling for houses, townhouses and apartments across Sydney and the whole of NSW. BASIX, the Building Sustainability Index, is designed to ensure that homes in NSW use less water and are more energy efficient.
A BASIX Certificate is required for new homes, multi-unit buildings and most alterations and additions. The certificate is lodged as part of a development application.
At Gradwell Consulting we are skilled in BASIX assessments and reports and can help you understand how to design a more affordable, environmentally friendly home.
The Benefits of BASIX Assessments and Reports
Committing to a BASIX Certificate is best seen as an opportunity to improve the long-term comfort and reduce the ongoing expenses of a dwelling. The design stage is when such improvements can be made for minimum effort. A thorough analysis of the thermal performance of the building is essential.
Remember that the commitments you make in the BASIX Certificate will be checked by the principal certifying authority before they issue an occupation certificate.
Engaging the services of an accredited sustainability assessor and ESD consultant is recommended and that’s where we come in. Gradwell Consulting are experts at energy rating and know how to get the best results for your BASIX Certificate.
Gradwell Consulting also provide Section J energy efficiency reports for commercial buildings.
Get a BASIX Certificate for your Sydney Home
Get in touch with our expert team at Gradwell Consulting to learn more about BASIX assessments, reports and certificates. We are more than happy to walk you through the process, costs and advantages of having us prepare the certificate.
Call 1800 11 24 25, email david@gradwellconsulting.com or fill out our online enquiry form. A team member will respond to your query promptly. We look forward to hearing from you.
New Buildings
The BASIX Certificate for a new building has three sections – water, energy and thermal performance. The water and energy parts of the BASIX tool ensure that the development meets the prescribed targets relating to water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. These parts of BASIX apply to single dwellings, attached townhouses and large multi-unit projects.
The thermal performance section of BASIX examines the energy efficiency of each dwelling. All dwellings – from single level homes to large multi-level buildings can be assessed using computer modelling software. Single dwellings can also be assessed using a DIY tool within BASIX.
For most projects, Gradwell Consulting recommends the use of computer modelling as it more accurately predicts the thermal performance of the building. This can mean a large saving in the cost of construction.
Alterations & Additions
Selecting the right Basix Assessor
The assessor you select should:
- be accredited as this ensures minimum standards, a mandatory professional development program, a code of practice and regularly audits to uphold quality.
- have several years energy rating experience as it takes many months to become proficient.
- undertake at least 40 assessments each year – part timers find it hard to stay current.
- have worked on similar projects to yours.
- have an engineering or building industry background.
- have adequate professional indemnity insurance ($1 million for small projects; up to $5 million for large projects).
- have details of recent projects and referees available.
Principal David Gradwell is a BDAV accredited assessor (12/1451); has been in business since 2007;
undertakes more than 150 assessments annually; has assessed projects from home additions to 100+ unit developments and has a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil, Honours).