Sustainable Subdivisions: 1 – Energy & Water Efficient Design [Ambrose, CSIRO] 2002-063-B

Overview

This is an investigative study which brings an integrated team together to identify the energy-efficiency demands of dwellings from a sub-division viewpoint as well as that from an individual dwelling. It will highlight challenges likely to fall mainly on the national housing industry with release of new energy codes and canvas the technologies available to housing for on-site electricity generation as a basis for development of solar suburbs. Industry responses will come from project sponsors and attendances at workshops focussing on the energy-efficiency of sub-division development. The quantitative analysis of the energy-efficiency of dwellings and their relation to sub-division requirements will take advantage of new capabilities to assess appropriate ventilation in determining the energy performance of dwellings, particularly in sub-tropical climates.

The project methodology consists of: identifying sub-divisions on which will be built houses in four separate categories including; project homes, individual houses (one and two storey), medium density housing and SOHO (small office-home office). Plans will be obtained for an appropriate sample of dwellings in each category from which assessments and comparisons to the new and current energy efficiency standards in sub-tropical climate zones, will be undertaken. Interviewing and conducting a workshop with those who undertake sub-division planning, design and statutory compliance activities, and developing a set of criteria for possible future energy efficiency tools with priority weightings will also be undertaken. ]

The outcomes will include: workshop/interviews with sub-division developers, an appraisal of a new assessment tool which includes ventilation for house energy efficiency ratings, comparing this new tool against the current tool that is used for assessment, appraisal of the links between housing and sub-division in creating sustainable sub-divisions, and criteria for possible future tools for determining the performance and priorities of options for achieving energy efficient design in sub-divisions and dwellings.