National Standards for Building Energy Efficiency in New Australian Homes

Changes to the National Building Code in 2022 mean all new homes and apartments in Australia must meet a minimum energy efficiency of 7 stars under the National House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). It was the first increase in the star rating in a decade.

These changes will officially begin on May 1, 2023. This means Australians building new homes must now be built for 7 stars. Simple measures like adding insulation, planning for indoor climate zones, and improving window glazing can all help homes meet new standards.

How energy efficiency standards are changing and what it means for new home builders.

The National Building Code (NCC) will soon require all new homes in Australia to achieve a minimum 7-star rating. These ratings are based on the National Home Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS).

NatHERS ratings take into account building type, building materials, glazing, lighting and insulation to assess the overall annual thermal performance of a building project. The highest rating is 10 stars, which means the home does not require artificial heating or cooling year-round.

Before the recent changes, the minimum standard for thermal efficiency was 6 stars. Raising the minimum standard to 7 stars means new homes are more energy efficient and more comfortable to live in. These changes will also reduce home energy bills, saving the average homeowner $183 per year!

Formally agree to changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) at the meeting of building ministers on 26 August 2022. The new NCC will come into effect on 1 May 2023, with a transition period of 1 October 2023 to assist the industry in transition.

In Australia, household carbon emissions account for at least one-fifth of the nation's total greenhouse gas emissions. The one-star change to residential energy efficiency standards will help significantly reduce the nation's household carbon emissions. It has been more than a decade since any changes were made to the standard, and the latest changes are long-awaited and represent a crucial step towards a future of near-zero-carbon housing.

While improving the nation's energy efficiency, these changes also benefit homebuilders through improved comfort and reduced energy use. According to the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, Australian households use 40% of their energy for heating and cooling, about 25% for hot water, 30% for appliances and 8-15% for lighting. Designing more energy-efficient homes can help cut energy bills, resulting in long-term savings. It will also ensure that the house is more resistant to extreme temperatures in summer and winter.