Glossary 10

Airtightness

Understanding Building Airtightness for Passive Housing Constructs Building airtightness relates to the degree to which a building envelope is able to prevent air leakage. This is important for passive housing constructs in order to maintain energy …

Greywater Reuse

Understanding Greywater Reuse at Home Greywater reuse is the process of reusing household wastewater, excluding toilet water, for irrigation or other non-potable purposes. Greywater reuse is a way to conserve water and reduce the amount of wastewater …

Heat Recovery Ventilation

Understanding Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) in Passive Housing Heat recovery ventilation (HRV) is an energy-efficient system used in passive housing to improve indoor air quality. It works by using a heat exchanger to capture and transfer heat from …

Insulation

Understanding House Insulation House insulation is the material used in your home to slow the transfer of heat, cold and sound. The aim of insulation is to make your home more energy-efficient and reduce your overall electricity costs by keeping heat …

Passive Solar Design

Understanding Passive Solar Design Passive solar design is the use of the sun’s energy to heat and light a building, through the use of south-facing windows, thermal mass, and insulation. This type of design helps to reduce a building’s …

Thermal Mass

Understanding Thermal Mass and its Benefits Thermal mass is the ability of a material to absorb and store heat energy, which can be released slowly over time. This property makes thermal mass an ideal solution in many applications, as it helps to …

BAL Rating

The Building and Asset Services (BAS) of the Western Australian Government have recently introduced a BAL Rating system for Perth. This system is designed to help identify the level of bushfire protection that buildings in designated bushfire-prone …

JV3

A JV3 assessment is an alternative method to DtS Section J Compliance for assessing the energy performance of a building. It takes into consideration the location and climate of the site, which allows for a more accurate assessment of the energy …

Specialist Disability Accommodation

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is a type of housing designed to meet the needs of people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. This type of accommodation is specifically tailored to the individual’s needs and can …

National Construction Code

The National Construction Code is part of The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB). The ABCB produces and maintains the National Construction Code, which is a set of technical design and construction provisions for buildings in Australia. The Code …