We can offer a design service that covers new houses, townhouses, low rise residential units (up to three storeys), renovations and extensions.
To create a good design, we have to collect as much information as possible. This covers everything: what does the client hope to achieve, what can the client afford, where is the design going, how will it fit into it's enviroment.

At Tweed Coast Energy Assessments, we have not always been energy assessors. The owner and principal of the business has a background in residential design, plan drafting and technical specifications. Energy assessments in a new field and a logical extension of what we have been doing. With our knowledge of residential building, we are more than able to give advice on many areas relating to Energy Assessments. This advice usually falls into two main categories, the design of the building and the materials used.

Design

Initial consultation at preliminary design stage
Orientation - The direction your house faces or more importantly, the direction you living areas face can affect how nice theses areas are to live in. The two environmental factors to consider are sunlight (heat gain) and prevailing breezes (cooling).
Overhangs - The overhang of the roof provides important protection for the windows and outdoor living areas. Some modern designs with no eaves or a skillion roof that results in unprotected windows can problems through heat gain.
Sun Angles - It is equally important to stop sunlight gaining access to the house in summer as it is to allow sunlight in winter.
Shading - Will your home be overshadowed by the building next door or by a large tree or some other natural object. This can greatly affect the amount of sunlight (heat) that reaches the living areas.

Materials

Selecting the proper materials can help with energy efficiency
Floor - slab on ground or elevated timber floor. Slabs are thermally very efficient. Elevated floors generally have to be enclosed to prevent heat loss.
Walls - Brick veneer or cladding over timber frame. Bricks have a natural, built-in insulation value but they are not always the best choice. All walls should be insulated.
Windows and Doors - Windows and sliding glass doors can account for up to 40% of the heat gain or loss in a building. Doors and windows that do not seal properly also cause thermal inefficiency.
Ceiling - Must be insulated.
Roof - Tile or metal sheeting. Each one has its good points but both need to be insulated. Colour also has a large impact on amount of heat absorbed by the roof.