Australian climatic zones: climate data used in thermal performance assessment: diurnal temperature range humidity irradiance maximum and minimum temperature solar geometry wind speed and direction climatic zones and characteristics building thermal performance: benefits of thermal performance assessment constraints on choice of building materials: cost practicality size space heat flows impact of building materials on building thermal performance impact of building design on building thermal performance properties of building materials: capacitance material thickness resistance heat flow up and down thermal bridging relationship between building thermal performance and thermal comfort thermal performance principles: glazing, shading and insulation for controlling temperature orientation for heating thermal mass for storing ventilation for cooling thermal performance properties of common building materials thermal performance ratings: current rating requirements documentation of ratings legal requirements uses ways of improving the thermal performance of residential buildings: condition of building construction materials draught proofing floor coverings glazing insulation levels landscaping and planting orientation overshadowing passive heating and cooling shade siting of building structural changes thermal mass ventilation window coverings window size, location and type zoning and layout commonwealth, state and territory, and local government legislation and regulations impacting on thermal performance assessment relating to: building and construction building thermal performance consumer protection, fair trading and trade practices environment protection occupational licensing work health and safety energy and power: terminology: energy loads energy efficiency heating and cooling loads latent heat power primary energy source units of measurement uses, cost and environmental impact of energy use in residential buildings greenhouse gas emissions: relationship between building design, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through building design NatHERS software tools: assumptions inherent in software protocol criteria for the selection of particular software tools NatHERS and Australian Building Codes Board Protocol for House Energy Rating software properties of materials, such as heat transfer coefficients and U-value, thermal resistance and R-value, reflectivity, absorptance, solar heat gain coefficient and emissivity scratch file types of software tools passive energy design: benefits of passive design passive design standards Passivhaus (Passive) House Standard principles of passive design relationship between passive design, energy use and operational greenhouse gas emissions thermal comfort: definition of thermal comfort models physical factors that influence thermal comfort requirement for and importance of thermal comfort role of thermal comfort in building thermal performance assessments |