A comprehensive, nationwide plan to retrofit Australian homes and workplaces into energy efficient buildings within ten years, has been officially launched in the form of the Zero Carbon Australia Buildings Plan.
The Buildings Plan – a joint project of climate solutions think-tank Beyond Zero Emissions and The University of Melbourne Energy Institute – demonstrates how Australia can transition to a zero carbon future by 2020 by implementing cost effective energy efficiency measures in all existing and new buildings.
The call to action includes adopting a range of proven methods that will reduce building energy demand and improve the overall thermal performance of the building envelope. This includes full insulation retrofits, draft proofing, efficient window glazing and better shading.
External insulation retrofit specialist, PracticaMMC has welcomed the initiative, saying that increasing the thermal performance of our buildings makes economical and environmental common sense.
“Many governments around the world have already set minimum standards of thermal performance for their buildings that exceed those set here in Australia,” said Sandy McPherson, Managing Director of PracticaMMC.
“This report is the call to action we need to get Australia up along side the rest of the world, in terms of achieving zero emissions for our buildings by creating exceptional energy efficient environments.”
“However, it is essential that a whole-of-building envelope approach is adopted in order to maximise the effectiveness of an overall retrofit,“ added Sandy McPherson.
The building envelope, or interface between the interior and exterior of a building, incorporates the foundations, roof, walls, doors and windows of a building. It serves as the outer shell to protect the indoor environment and facilitate climate control.
PracticaMMC believe the secret to reducing energy consumption and achieving superior weather tightness and insulation is with a combination of insulation and air sealing to ensure that any openings such as windows or doors are completely sealed so that air leakage is reduced.
“The success to an energy efficient building lies with maximising the integrity of the entire building envelope starting from the outside and working your way in,” concluded Sandy McPherson.
