Page 20 - Climate Control News magazine Oct-Nov 2022

Residential Air Conditioning
LEFT: The new provisions will make it easier for people living in apartments to switch to an electric vehicle.
BELOW LEFT: Industry Minister, Ed Husic.
Apartments to be EV-ready by 2023
FEDERAL INDUSTRY MINISTER
Ed Husic said the National Construction Code (NCC) reforms will make Australian homes more liveable, accessible and energy efficient.
Husic attributed the improve- ments to residential efficiency standards and condensation miti- gation measures.
“These are historic reforms to improve the efficiency of homes and accessibility for older Australians and those living with disabilities,” he said.
“The Liveable Housing provisions will see at least one point of step- free access to the home, slightly wider doorways and better access to facilities inside the house.”
Husic said the NCC 2022 energy-efficiency provisions will make it easier for people living in apartments to switch to an elec- tric vehicle.
This is due to the provision of base infrastruc- ture for future cabling and control-point instal- lation at the time of construction.
The ministers also agreed to start work on
how building standards can further facilitate the transition to EVs in new buildings.
Apartments will need to be EV-ready by 2023.
“National leadership on this issue has been sorely lacking. I’m determined to reverse that situation,” Husic said.
Ministers asked the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) to take this work further by working with relevant agencies to ensure future buildings are ready to support the energy transition by making EV charging easy and safe.
NCC 2022 will be available for voluntary use from 1 October 2022 and commence on 1 May 2023.
LEFT: Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister.
“THE UPDATE SUPPORTS AUSTRALIA’S TRANSITION TO NET ZERO.”
To ensure industry is adequately prepared, the energy efficiency changes to the NCC will come into effect on 1 October 2023 but may vary by state and territory.
More information about the new minimum energy efficiency standards can be found at https://www.abcb.gov.au/
Ministers agree to NCC update
FEDERAL, STATE AND territory building minis- ters have agreed to raise the minimum energy efficiency standards for new homes by updating the National Construction Code (NCC).
Following the NCC announcement, minimum energy efficiency requirements for new houses and apartments are increasing from the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) equiva-
lent of 6 to 7 stars.
A new Whole of Home
annual energy use budget applicable to the home’s heating and cooling equip- ment, hot water sys- tems, lighting, swimming pool and spa pumps, and onsite renewable energy sys- tems will also be
introduced.
This will make homes more comfortable, help households with cost-of-living pressures, and support Australia’s transition to net zero.
In making this decision building ministers took advice from the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), based on their extensive regula- tory impact analysis and consultation over the last year.
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister said the new home minimum energy efficiency requirements will mean new homes are more affordable to heat and cool, and more comfortable.
“These measures have clear benefits for households. Energy efficient houses are more comfortable to live in – cheaper to heat in winter and cool in summer,” McAllister said.
“The new energy efficiency standards also support Australia’s transition to net zero emis- sion by 2050 by reducing the costs associated with new generation infrastructure.
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