What is ABSA
The Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA) represents building and design professionals who offer specialist skills in assessing the ecological impact of our built environment.
Assessors use sophisticated programs to analyse buildings' environmental performance and offer practical advise on cost-effective ways to improve:
- thermal performance
- energy and water efficiency
- resource and waste management
- natural ecosystems and biodiversity
ABSA works closely with the NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources who have developed BASIX. ABSA assessors are accredited to calculate the energy loads needed in the Thermal Comfort section of the BASIX certificate.
This Assessment is carried out by inputting your house design into a computer based software package. Thermal Performance Assessment can only be carried out by an Accredited Assessor.
An ABSA Assessor will provide you with a stamped ABSA Certificate which is required by Councils to be lodged with your Development Application (DA), and stamp your plans. In the event that your design does not meet the required minimum standard your Assessor may suggest some alternatives to improve the performance of your house, in order to achieve this minimum energy performance standard.
The GreenSmart Concept
GreenSmart is a practical approach to building that focuses on educating builders, designers, product manufacturers and consumers about the benefits of environmentally responsible housing. GreenSmart is an industry-driven initiative that aims to encourage a mainstream application of its principles to today's housing.
GreenSmart Village homes are a showcase of environmentally sustainable housing design. The main goals are:
- to improve the energy and water efficiency of the homes,
- to enable home-owners to waste less and recycle more,
- to reduce the waste from the building process, and
- to improve site management during construction.
Benefits of a GreenSmart home include lower energy and water bills, a warmer house in winter, a cooler house in summer, great soil for beautiful gardens and, as more than half the waste from the building process has been recycled, the environment has been helped even before occupation.
Building the GreenSmart Way involves:
Improving Energy Efficiency
- House designs exceed typical minimum energy rating requirements set by local councils.
- Passive design features are incorporated into all homes to minimise the need for mechanical heating and cooling.
- Energy saving lights, tinted windows, insulation products, efficient appliances and both solar and gas hot water systems are used to demonstrate a variety of ways to save energy.
Improving Water Efficiency
- Landscaping incorporates local indigenous plant species and is designed to minimise water use and encourage indigenous fauna habitation.
- AAA-rated tapware and shower heads are used throughout the homes.
- Rainwater tanks can be installed for external water usage.
- Sensored lighting and irrigation systems that can be set to minimise energy and water usage are displayed.
Waste Management and Recycling
- A comprehensive on-site waste management strategy is employed at all Villages.
- GreenSmart building attempts to optimise recycling opportunities and the use of recycled product or product with a recycled content in both the construction of the houses and their associated gardens.
- Designated waste collection areas are provided during construction and suitable collection facilities are incorporated in the fit-out of all homes.
Improving Overall Site Management
- Erosion and sedimentation control measures are incorporated on all sites.
- The use of hazardous materials throughout the construction and fit-out stages is minimised
