ABSTRACT
Energy consumption is the dominant source of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia, contributing 70 per cent of the total (Australian Greenhouse Office 2007). The buildings we live and work in are major users of this energy, and addressing how they can improve their energy efficiency through better planning, design and operation is a key element to reducing greenhouse emissions. Energy end-use in both residential and commercial buildings has grown by 11 and 9 per cent respectively since 1998-99, and residential buildings now account for 12 per cent of Australia’s total energy use, while commercial buildings are responsible for a further 7 per cent (Trewin 2006). Electricity use represents the dominant source of the energy used, with natural gas the other major source.
