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About BASIX

Assessment against requirements

Based on the information you provide about the design of the development; the BASIX Tool will calculate your energy and water score

Assessment against requirements

Based on the information you provide about the design of the development; the BASIX Tool calculates:

  • a water score and an energy score - higher is better, and

  • for thermal comfort performance, a heating load and a cooling load – lower is better.

The water and energy scores represent the estimated water and energy consumption of the development compared to the consumption of a similar ‘benchmark’ dwelling prior to the introduction of the BASIX requirements in 2004. For example, if a proposed house has a water score of 40%, it means the BASIX Tool has estimated it will use 40% less water than a similar benchmark house.

For thermal comfort performance, a high heating load indicates it will have relatively high heating costs in winter to keep the home warm. Similarly, a high cooling load indicates it will have relatively high cooling costs in summer to keep the home cool.

The BASIX requirements

The BASIX requirements consist of:

  • A water savings target, which depends on the location - it ranges between 0% and 40% – see water target map.
  • An energy savings target, which depends on the location and the type of development (different targets apply to houses, and low, medium and high rise apartments) ranges between 10% and 50% - see energy target map.
  • For thermal performance, a heating cap and a cooling cap, which depend on the location and the type of development (different caps apply to houses and apartments) - see Tables A and B of the BASIX Thermal Comfort Protocol.

The water and energy savings targets vary by location to ensure the BASIX requirements do not place an excessive cost burden on developments in certain regions.

Meeting the BASIX requirements

To meet the BASIX requirements, a development must have:

  • a water score that meets or exceeds the water savings target
  • an energy score that meets or exceeds the energy savings target, and
  • for thermal comfort performance, a heating load less than the heating cap, and a cooling load less than the cooling cap.
Last updated: 14/09/2022

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