44 Ways #15: Use Energy Modelling During the Design Phase

Hello! This is Episode 415. This is Way #15 of the ‘44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home’ series. And with this episode, we begin Section Four: Modelling and Measuring Your Sustainability.

In Section Four, we look at the ways you can access data to inform your decision-making, beginning with energy efficiency assessments and modelling of your home’s energy use.

We’re beginning Section Four with Way #15: Use Energy Modelling During the Design Phase.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/415]

If you’re based in Australia, you’ve possibly heard the phrase ‘NatHERS star rating’ somewhere in research conversations about your project. In other locations, you may have heard about star ratings, or energy efficiency ratings required as part of the compliance process in your project.

In most locations, energy efficiency assessment occurs after documentation is completed, as part of finalising building approvals prior to construction. Sometimes homeowners are not even aware of it as a step, until the builder or designer has taken care of it, and they’re presented with the report it outputs.

However, when left until that point of your project, after your design is locked in, you’re underutilising the benefit of energy modelling to your project and future home, and it’s potentially costing you money, comfort, and sustainability performance every day.

Energy efficiency modelling can be used as a design tool, and when treated as such, there’s an opportunity to use it to improve your design, rather than just tick a box.

In this episode, I take you through what NatHERS and other types of energy modelling actually are, how they’re typically used in projects compared to how they can be used, what star ratings really mean for your home’s performance, and the questions to put to your team to make sure modelling is doing real work for you, not just being ticked off as a compliance requirement.

As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/415.

Now, let's dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/415

Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/

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