Energy and Greenhouse Emissions Development
Targets for Energy
New commercial buildings constructed by Investa target at least a 4.5 star Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) representing energy intensity of approximately 50% of conventional buildings (average is 2.5 stars). We have recently tightened this design goal and target a rating of 20% better than 5 stars, equivalent to 80% below a conventional building's energy intensity.
The majority of Clarendon Homes reduce energy use by at least 40% compared with current averages (as required in NSW under the Building and Sustainability Index State Planning Policy, BASIX). In Victoria all homes meet a 5 star energy rating designed to reduce energy use by 30%. In homes, many decisions about energy intensity are determined by client's decisions and by how they operate their houses. For example, lighting through halogen downlights can now account for over 17% of a household's energy use. Clarendon has sought to educate clients about these issues through the preparation of the Your Home Buyer's Guide.
Investa Commercial Developments Sustainability Guide
Following the creation of a commercial developments strategy last year, a Commercial Developments Sustainability Guide has been produced as a training guide and resource for staff in the Commercial Developments division. This Guide explains and gives background to Investa Commercial Developments' approach to sustainability. It is an educational handbook for new and existing staff and can be used to brief consultants and contractors on our service requirements. The Investa Commercial Developments Sustainability Guide also covers sustainability concepts and ratings, the design and contract management processes and sets standards for Investa Commercial Developments. The Guide is one means of integrating sustainability across the Group and implementing the Investa SRI Guidelines.
Display Home Efficiencies
Analysis of the running costs of Clarendon display homes revealed that they are annually using approximately twice the amount of electricity and gas as the average Australian family home. While the overall cost to the company is not large in comparison to the running costs of our commercial buildings, these figures suggest room for improvement. They also do not set a good example for our clients who we want to encourage to minimise their energy use. As a result, Clarendon has resolved to change the approach to the development of our display homes.
While they must, being displays, be our standard homes, Clarendon display homes in future will function more like commercial buildings which are empty overnight, but may have many visitors during the day. As a result, the engineering and electrical (including lighting) drawings of our display homes are being peer reviewed prior to construction. This review is to recommend changes to the construction to improve their energy efficiency and thermal performance. For example, we are expecting to use motion sensors to allow house lights and appliances to be switched on when needed and fluorescent downlights instead of energy hungry halogen downlights. Next year we will be able to report on our energy savings from this initiative.
Clarendon display home at Georges Fair, Moorebank
Commitments for Financial Year 2008
- Develop initiatives to improve the take up of options to reduce energy use (such as solar hot water) by Clarendon clients.
- Design in automatic lighting and air conditioning controls to minimise energy wastage in display homes.
- Commit to accredited ABGR weighted average rating of 4.5 stars for new commercial developments.
- Commit to accredited Green Star weighted average rating of 4.5 stars for new commercial developments.
- Commit all Industrial developments to accredited Green Star ratings 4 stars or above*.
* Once officially launched.
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