Call for more flexible rules to help old buildings turn green

Age
Monday 2/8/2010 Page: 7

A high-tech company has called for a less draconian, more flexible approach to "greening" old buildings to encourage small business to spend money on refurbishments. Managing director of mySmart Peter Garrett said the approach taken to date in Australia only applied to buildings with lettable space and space for sale of more than 2000 m². "That's a great start and it's been a long time coming, but in the US, they have mandatory reforms but also tax incentives on energy efficiency, regardless of size", he said.

The new Australian scheme mandates disclosure of a building's energy efficiency. A valid National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) energy rating will be required. Credible energy efficiency information must be given to prospective purchasers and lessees of large commercial office space. Failure to comply will incur severe penalties. Fellow mySmart director Scott Warren said NABERS was fine, "But is based on a stick approach, as if it's the only way". "However, a good business case can be made to drive energy efficiency", he said.

Their company has developed software that helps to regulate energy use in commercial buildings. The software, linked to the property management system, can determine whether a room is occupied or not, and then turn off the lights or air conditioners, or modify air conditioning, saving energy. Mr Garrett acknowledged that their comments were self-serving in that they supported a policy that could benefit mySmart. However, the approach applied to "many areas that we are not involved in - combined heat and water generation, cogeneration plant, wind turbines, or certain light fittings".

This was how the US approached the issue. "They have a greater reach than we have". Mr Garrett said what could be done would vary from industry to industry. "Rather than the onus on big commercial buildings, make the drive more widespread", he said. "There could be tax incentives to make small companies include energy efficiency as part of their business case. Look at all sectors of a building. There could be different tax incentives depending on the technology"

Mr Warren said some smaller companies had a self-imposed drive to be energy efficient. "After the initial investment, they get the payback, which becomes a good marketing tool. It makes sense to be deemed to be sustainable", he said. Mr Garrett said it was hard to say how much total office space was below 2000 m², but "it would be substantial".