Builders, energy raters and the general consumer are under the impression that dwellings with suspended timber floors cannot simply and cost-effectively achieve a 5 Star energy rating. For this reason the timber industry requires simple and practical solutions for meeting a 5 Star energy rating that can be easily disseminated to the broader marketplace. This project seeks to provide a selection of techniques which when applied to timber-floored dwelling designs which were compliant under the energy efficiency provisions of BCA 2003 (nominally 4 Stars) will render them compliant under BCA 2006 (nominally 5 Stars).
Using AccuRate software, 36 dwellings with suspended timber floors with an average 4 star rating were selected for the simulation and analysis of each proposed technique. The dwellings selected were simulated across eleven climate zones categorised into either hot climates, temperate climates or cool climates.
For each climate zone, ten techniques were recommended for best achieving a five star rating for suspended timber-floored dwellings. These techniques were analysed further to determine their cost effectiveness.
Reference Number:
PR07.1042
