Resources

Index of Definitions

ABCB
The Australian Building Codes Board

ABSA
The Association of Building Sustainability Assessors – Assessor Accrediting Organisation

BASIX
The Building Sustainability Index – Sustainable planning measure in New South Wales

BCA
The Building Code of Australia (now known as the National Construction Code)

BERS
Building Energy Rating Scheme – NatHERS accredited software

DMN
Design Matters National – Assessor Accrediting Organisation

DTS
Deemed-to-Satisfy – Method of assessment that ensures each building element complies with part 3.12 of the NCC

FR5
FirstRate5 – NatHERS accredited software

HERA
House Energy Raters Association – Assessor Accrediting Organisation

HERO
Home Energy Rating & Optimisation – NatHERS accredited software

HVAC
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning

kW
Kilowatt – A measure of power equivalent to 1000 Watts

Low-e
Glazing with a low emissivity (reduces the amount of heat transfer)

MJ/m²
Megajoules per square meter – Total amount of energy required to heat or cool a room

NatHERS
The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme

NCC
The National Construction Code (Formerly BCA)

Outdoor Living Area
Space directly accessible from a living area that has a minimum floor area of 12sqm and minimum dimension in all directions of 2.5 metres. Fully covered by impervious roof and is two or more sides open

Part J
Part of the construction code that deals with energy efficiency for class 2 – 9 buildings (Also referred to as Section J)

QDC
The Queensland Development Code

R-value
The thermal resistance of a component calculated by dividing its thickness by its thermal conductivity

SHGC
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient – The fraction of incident solar radiation that is admitted through a window

Total R-value
Aggregate R-value of the individual composite layers of materials in a system

U-value
Thermal conductance of a composite element