Thermal performance of Australian masonry housing: heating/cooling demands under spring conditions

The growing world-wide concern regarding the reduction of greenhouse gases and energy conservation in the built environment has been reflected in Australia by the introduction of various software packages to predict the thermal performance of buildings and provide an energy rating. Most local government authorities require all new development applications to meet minimum energy ratings before being approved. Over the last seven years an extensive research program has been underway at the University of Newcastle, in conjunction with Think Brick Australia, aimed at investigating the thermal performance characteristics of masonry. This is being done at a full-scale level with purpose built test modules and has been extended to include the development of building simulation energy models and design strategies for affordable low energy housing under Australian climatic conditions. This report gives a brief overview of the project and outlines the thermal performance of the test modules in terms of the heating/cooling loads for different building envelopes. The difference in behaviour for the four wall types (cavity brick, brick veneer, insulated cavity brick and lightweight) are reported during the spring conditions in October 2007.