Queensland Newsflash 344
The following key points are included in Newsflash 344 from Department of Infrastructure and Planning - Building Codes Queensland issued 15th December 2008.
For complete details visit www.dip.qld.gov.au/our-services/building-codes-queensland.html
5-star energy equivalent rating for all new houses
For new houses (Class 1 buildings) and major renovations (where practicable), a minimum energy equivalence rating of 5 stars (out of 10) will be mandatory from 1 March 2009. This will initially be implemented through the Queensland Development Code (QDC) MP 4.1—Sustainable Buildings, and then transitioned to the Building Code of Australia (BCA) 2009, effective from 1 May 2009.
To coincide with the requirement from 1 March 2009, only software which complies with the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Protocol for House Energy Rating Software Version 2006.1 (i.e. BERS Pro, AccuRate or FirstRate5) will be able to be used when assessing compliance through verification method V2.6.2.1 of the BCA. An additional compliance option, involving peer review by an expert, will be also made available from 1 March 2009.
5-star energy equivalent rating for all new units
For new units (Class 2 buildings), a minimum energy equivalence rating of 5 stars (out of 10) will be mandatory for new units and major renovations (where practicable) from 1 March 2010. This will initially be implemented through the QDC and then transitioned to a Queensland variation in the BCA from 1 May 2010.
Recognition of outdoor-indoor areas in Queensland’s building standards
For new houses (Class 1 buildings) and major renovations (where practicable), energy efficiency benefits of outdoor living areas in certain climatic zones of Queensland will be recognised in the QDC from 1 March 2009. In climate zones 1 (tropical) and 2 (sub-tropical), as prescribed in the BCA, a credit will be made available towards the energy equivalence rating of a house where a home has an outdoor living area that meets specified requirements e.g. at least 3 m by 4 m, fully covered and immediately connected to an indoor living area. The applicable credit is intended to be in the range of 0.5- to 1-star, subject to consultation with industry over coming weeks.
Requiring 4-star toilets, 3-star tapware and 80 per cent energy efficient lighting in new houses and units
All new houses and units will be required to install minimum 4-star Water Efficiency Labelling Standards (WELS) scheme-rated toilets, 3-star WELS-rated tapware to kitchen sinks, bathroom basins and laundry taps and energy efficient lighting to 80 per cent of fixed internal lights. These measures will be effective from 1 March 2009, and implemented through the QDC MP 4.1—Sustainable Buildings. Also, where irrigation systems are installed they will be required to be water efficient from 1 March 2009.
Phase-out of electric hot water systems from 2010
The phase out of electric hot water systems was announced as part of the state government’s ClimateSmart 2050 strategy in June 2007. From 1 January 2010, the Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code will prevent the installation of electric resistive hot water systems in existing houses (Class 1 buildings only, not units) located within a gas reticulated area. This measure will only apply when the electric system requires replacement. Where a hot water system is replaced it will need to be replaced with a greenhouse-efficient hot water system i.e. gas, solar or heat pump.
Sustainability declaration
The completion of a sustainability declaration will be mandatory when selling a house or unit from 1 January 2010. The sustainability declaration will not form part of the contract of sale, but will be used as an information tool to inform prospective buyers about the sustainability features of the dwelling. The declaration will be able to be completed by the property owner or a suitably qualified person (e.g. building inspector), and must be made available to prospective buyers while the property is on the market. This requirement will not apply for rental properties.
Preventing the sale and installation of inefficient air-conditioners
From 1 July 2009, new and replacement air-conditioners with a Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) energy label will be required to have a minimum energy rating of 4-stars. Legislation will also be enacted to prevent the sale of air-conditioners in Queensland which do not meet these energy efficiency standards.
Further investigation will be undertaken regarding the potential inclusion of requirements for energy load control (e.g. demand response enabling devices) to be incorporated as part of installation requirements with air-conditioners in Queensland.