Chenath v3.21 update

December 13, 2018

A new Chenath engine (currently assigned version 3.21) is planned for release in 2019 which includes the following potential updates and improvements. Addition of limestone in the construction material library Changes in the effective thermal resistances of waffle pod modelling The effective thermal resistances of waffle pod construction modelling will be changed to R0.57, R0.60, […]

Thermostat Settings and Occupant Behavioural Settings Expert Group

December 12, 2018

The 2nd Generation NatHERS software integrated a multi-zone ventilation model for natural ventilation, a model for occupant thermal comfort and also the air movement driven by ceiling fans to form an improved model for heating and cooling energy requirement calculations. However, monitored data was not sufficient at the time to conduct a full review of […]

Zero energy home of the future – open for business

December 12, 2018

Net zero energy homes of the future entered the housing market in October 2018 with the opening of a display home at Timbertop Estate near Melbourne. Eight years after the groundbreaking work of CSIRO and partners to complete the Australian Zero Emissions House (AusZEH), Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio recently […]

Grid-Connected Net Zero Energy Houses vs Off-Grid Housing in Australia

December 12, 2018

BackgroundWith the observed rapid decline in PV prices and a similar trend for battery storage in recent years, there is a growing interest in off-grid housing in Australia. A study conducted by CSIRO projected that by 2050, around one third of Australian households could leave the grid under some potential future scenarios. However, a recent […]