Building Connection Summer 2016

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BUILDING CONNECTION SUMMER 2016 21
implementing all of these extras but they can be passed on
to the consumer.
“The payback period is short and once you explain the
energy bill savings to them, they become pretty receptive.”
And educating consumers is the biggest hurdle to
overcome, Daniel believes.
“People just don’t know about most of this stuff. There’s
so much to learn and if someone doesn’t sit down and
explain it to them, they’re not going to learn. And if the
builder or land developer isn’t doing it, then who is?
As Daniel explains, two types of people generally walk
through the house: people that are on a tight budget
and people who are happy to spend. Before making
recommendations, the team at SECCCA would have a
conversation to determine their lifestyles (empty nesters,
young family etc.) and how they saw themselves using their
new home. He highly recommended you advised clients
against evaporative cooling and heating systems and
suggested split systems instead.
HIS TOP FOUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO BUYERS ARE AS
FOLLOWS:
1. Install a solar PV system
2. Install solar hot water systems
3. Design living areas to the north to capture the winter sun
4. Work with the angle of the sun and build eaves around the
house, fit external shade devices on the east and west.
Install smaller windows on the east, south and west.
“Since starting this initiative we have really noticed that
some builders are happy to change anything, while others
are very prescriptive in what they do.
“We are actively working with designers and builders
and encouraging them to consider some or all of these
considerations before or after the contract stage. In
particular we want them to educate their customers and
explain the benefits of add-ons such as double glazed
windows and R6 roof insulation once they know they are
building the property.”
Daniel believes the program has the potential to reach a
nationwide audience, given the benefits of passive design
are unbound by geography.
Over the next 12 months SECCCA will begin to make
contact with buyers whom have chosen to include some of
the recommended design aspects into their new homes to
gain a better understanding of energy and bill savings, as
well as comfort factors.
As the push for more sustainable new homes and
the demand for passive design features to be included
increases, it makes sense to ensure you and your
contractors are up to speed. The Master Builders
Association has created the Green Living training to provide
builders with the necessary tools to pursue sustainability
options in their constructions. Builders who complete
the training and adopt sustainable innovations in their
operations will be able to identify themselves as Master
Builders Green Living builders.
Alternatively, if you’re a HIA member, you can hone your
green building or design skills, maintain professional
development obligations, and promote your services as
being sustainable and environmentally aware by completing
HIA’s 2-day GreenSmart Professional Training Course. Once
you’ve completed training, you will have full access to the
GreenSmart Program’s opportunities and initiatives.
If you haven’t already, perhaps it’s time to step out of
your comfort zone and into the world of passive design. The
future looks comfortable there.
SECCCA
Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme
If prospective home owners are not educated in the area of
sustainability, they simply won’t know what can be done.