Binet Homes is a Design and Construction company specialising is bespoke luxury builds and high-quality custom solutions to suit every client. They’ve had an in-house design team for a long time, but when the government brought in a new set of national energy-efficiency requirements under the 2022 National Construction Code, Binet Homes decided to bring an in-house energy-efficiency liaison to help keep their homes efficient from the earliest stage of the process. This shifted the whole design process, making things easier for both the team and clients to achieve their perfect home. 

Binet Homes has experienced numerous advantages from this setup, explaining that the company now has “far greater control over the quality and accuracy of energy reports” which has improved their “ability to manage the build costs associated with compliance, and significantly reduced approval times by removing the need to rely on external consultants.” The result is a smoother, more efficient process that keeps design intent, performance, and client outcomes aligned from day one. 

What then does modern energy efficiency look like? And how does Binet Homes strive to meet these expectations in every build? 

THE CORNERSTONES OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

In a nutshell, Ozcelik defines two core components of energy-efficient homes. “Firstly, it’s about creating a home that stays thermally comfortable on its own, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. The second layer is the home’s ability to offset the energy it does use through renewable systems such as solar.”  

These are the two basic foundations of energy efficiency, but the reality is far more complex as there is “far more depth and decision‑making involved!” Ozcelik adds. 

When working on a project, Ozcelik likes to look at making the kitchen and living areas north facing, optimising glazing sizes and orientation, high quality insulation, ceiling fans and cross ventilation, solar energy systems, and planned use of eaves and shading.  

The team at Binet Homes also encourages clients to make use of the New South Wales Government solar and battery rebates to make their homes as efficient and cost effective as possible. He also checks for the organised zoning of rooms and spaces, increasing air-tightness where possible to limit drafts and make the best use of the home’s thermal mass. 

WHEN TO INVOLVE AN ENERGY ASSESSOR 

Binet Homes likes to have Ozelik involved as early as possible in the process. Optimising the energy efficiency of a home from the start makes a huge difference, as decisions such as the orientation, colours and materials can have a huge effect on energy efficiency. As such, it’s important to consult with an energy assessor early. 

Knowing all the tips and tricks still doesn’t come close to having a professional involved. As Ozelik points out “Many of the strategies we rely on are a great starting point, however every project is different and comes with its own set of opportunities and constraints.”  Binet Homes believes in approaching each build individually and likes to “work closely with … clients to achieve the required energy‑efficiency standards in the most cost‑effective way for their specific home.” 

THE BENEFITS OF IN-HOUSE 

Binet Homes benefits greatly from keeping these sustainability strategies in-house. Their energy assessor can be involved every step of the way, helping them achieve their results in the best way possible while keeping the cost and timeline on schedule. Ozelik described a project where he was able to improve a build after an external contractor massively blew out the budget with very extreme advice on insulation. Not only was Ozelik able to find more efficient solutions for the project, he was also able to shave $20, 000 off the final price for the client.