How BASIX undertakes calculations is not widely understood. The purpose of this guide is to provide an overview of how the BASIX engine works to estimate energy and water consumption in houses and apartments, and how these outputs can be used to inform design decisions.

The guide does not provide guidance on the regulatory use of BASIX. Please refer to the BASIX website for details on how to undertake and submit BASIX assessments for planning and building approval.

The guide also provides an overview of the new embodied carbon module and the importance of reducing the greenhouse gasses (GHG) associated with the construction of residences. By providing estimates of energy, water and GHG during the construction and operation of homes, BASIX is more than a regulatory compliance instrument. It is a tool that designers of buildings can utilise during early design stages to optimise designs and deliver homes that are more comfortable for residents, have lower energy and water bills, and significantly reduce GHG emissions.

The outputs from BASIX provide breakdown of energy, water and embodied carbon by categories. This allows users to understand where energy and water is being consumed and to test improvement opportunities. Future updates to BASIX will provide further granularity of the results of the BASIX calculations.