Mr Lachlan Mudge

Lachlan Mudge is a Research Engineer at the Barbara Hardy Institute, University of South Australia. His key research areas include: analysis and optimisation of household energy rating software and systems, especially AccuRate/NatHERS; monitoring and analysing household energy consumption data, including development, implementation, operation and optimisation of systems for both data collection and analysis; solar thermal collector research and testing, especially in relation to the requirements of AS/NZS 2535.1:2007 and AS/NZS 2712:2007.

Lachlan’s recent projects involve: Informing the next generation residential energy assessment tools; monitoring performance of PV systems installed on SA public housing; Low Income Energy Efficiency Project (LIEEP) Beat The Heat! – evaluating the impact of retrofitting roof insulation and high efficiency air-conditioners in rental housing; Household energy monitoring and data analysis at Lochiel Park, South Australia; Efficiency testing of thermal systems including solar water heaters and heat pump air-conditioners.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP: How to inform the next generation residential energy assessment tools. 

This workshop has arisen out of work on a CRC for Low Carbon Living funded project, the end goal of which is a housing industry capable of producing thermally comfortable, economically viable, low carbon homes with integrated solar systems, and testing compliance to lower carbon regulatory standards. The specific focus of our project was to inform the next generation residential energy assessment tools. This project involved an in depth critique of the AccuRate Sustainability software, which is currently utilised by many builders to determine whether house designs meet minimum six star house energy rating requirements. These star ratings predict the energy efficiency of the building envelope, in relation to space heating and cooling requirements, however the latest version of AccuRate Sustainability includes the ability to predict the energy consumption of other components of a household, which may contribute significantly to household energy use. Some of these other components include lighting, hot water, space heating and space cooling systems, amongst other aspects. A review of all assumptions and settings used within the software was undertaken. Comparative analyses were undertaken to determine the impact of various new assumptions and settings.