It has now become mandatory for all builders of residential properties in Queensland to adhere to the newly-adopted energy efficiency principles within the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

The initiative to implement energy efficiency standards for residential buildings is aimed at reducing building sector energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

These account for nearly 20 per cent of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy efficient homes will also deliver cost savings to consumers through reduced electricity and gas bills.

The energy efficiency requirements within the Housing Provisions of the BCA outline a range of performance requirements and also include approved energy-efficient solutions covering insulation for walls, ceilings and floors; improved glazing and shading; draught control; making use of air movement for cooling; and the reduction of energy waste in services.

To simplify compliance with the new BCA requirements, BHP Steel has developed the COLORBOND® steel Energy Efficiency Design Guide.

The program, which can be downloaded free from the members' section of BHP Steel's website (www.bhpsteel.com.au) guides users through the BCA regulations.

A series of prompts and drop down boxes allows users to navigate through the program to gain details of building regulations in place under the code for specific building types and locations. The software also offers printouts of results and calculations.

BHP Steel Research Associate Graeme Stark, who headed the team developing the software, said the tool would make it easier to understand and adhere to the new BCA energy efficiency regulations as they come into effect.

"Any new regulation or new requirement introduces a new pressure on builders and designers," Mr Stark explained.

"Our aim was to make the task of complying with the regulations as easy and seamless as possible, so we saw it as appropriate to create software that was easily available - via our website - that guides them through the process of the BCA."

"The software has been designed, with drop down tabs and a simple step-by-step guide, to make it easier for builders and designers to understand their obligations under the code," Mr Stark explained.

"The Design Guide complements existing energy efficiency ratings software and is readily available for any builder, designer or customer via a simple download."

Energy efficiency was included in the Housing Provisions of the BCA on January 1, 2003, and the requirements became mandatory in Queensland from September 1, when they were adopted into state legislation.

Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory have also adopted the energy-efficient regulations in their respective states.

For more information, or to download the COLORBOND® steel Energy Efficiency Design Guide, visit www.bhpsteel.com.au