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Home Design Guides: Regulations

BCA lighting restrictions

Regulations exist in Australia to determine how much electricity you're allowed to use for lighting in your home, based on floor areas. Find out what's allowed and how to make the most of it.

MEPS and LCA labels

Find out what those labels and symbols on light globes actually mean, and how to interpret them to your advantage.

Daylight through a window

Daylighting requirements

The number of windows in your home and where you put them is restricted by rules designed to ensure a minimum amount of daylight in each part of a home. Find out how this is likely to affect your design.

Cooling regulations

Cooling regulations

We’ve all seen the energy efficiency labels on whitegoods, but what do they mean when it comes to air conditioners?

MEPS label

MEPS labels and ratings for air conditioners

Air conditioners come with labels these days that indicate how efficiently they're able to cool (and to heat, if they're reverse-cycle models). Find out more about these labels and what to look for.

Noise regulations for air conditioners

Noise regulations for air conditioners

An important consideration if you're thinking about installing an air conditioner is how much noise it makes, and how that noise will affect your neighbours.

Heating regulations

Heating and its associated industries are heavily regulated, mostly because of the obvious fire hazards they pose - but also to control air pollution, and similar issues.

Ducts and ventilation

Poor ventilation and ducting not only cause heaters to be inefficient, but are also hazardous. Find out what regulations apply to ducting and ventilation in Australia.

Fireplace

Wood heater and fireplace regulations

Wood heater and fireplace safety is very important. Both of these methods of heating use open flames, and if not managed correctly can create big problems very quickly.

MEPS and energy star ratings for heaters

Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) help people to compare the efficiency of different heaters using the same types of fuel. Find out what these labels mean.

Ventilation regulations

While not as regulated as air conditioning or heating, there are specific Australian Standards that you (and your builder) need to be aware of to ensure that your ventilation complies with building regulations.

BCA ventilation requirements

Ventilation requirements exist in Australia to help prevent the likelihood of 'sick building syndrome'. These need to be carefully addressed when building a home with a tight building envelope.

Ventilation in garages, sheds and workshops

Garages, sheds and workshops, particularly those where dust, particles or sprays float around, may require extra ventilation to ensure your safety.

WELS labels and ratings

Water-producing bathroom fittings in Australia need to comply with basic water-efficiency standards. As a part of the WELS scheme, they are rated and given a label that shows how efficient they are.

WaterMark labels

The WaterMark certification label signifies that a plumbing product complies with certain quality and performance standards.

Distance between water and power points

Regulations in Australia restrict where you're able to position power points in relation to sinks and taps. Find out what the rules say, and how far your power points will need to be from your kitchen sink.

Asbestos and asbestos sheeting

Asbestos, which was used for many years as an insulation material, can pose a serious risk to anyone renovating a home. Find out more about what to do if you suspect you have asbestos insulation in your home.

Cyclone code requirements for walls

Depending on where you live, there may be special requirements for fire or cyclone codes. See how these affect you.

ARC tick logo

How to check an air conditioner installer's licence

It's important that you only have licensed technicians do work on your air conditioners. Find out about the different types of air conditioning licenses.

Bushfire and fire regulations for walls

Fires are one of the most common household disasters to happen, yet have equally devastating effects. Learn about fireproofing regulations for your walls to minimise the risk.

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