Achieve a 6-Star Energy Rating for Your Australian Home

December 16, 2022

One aspect of home properties that should be considered heavily by homeowners and contractors right now is their energy efficiency. The cost of electricity today keeps on rising. And without implementing measures that could keep power consumption down, homeowners may be surprised by how pricey their monthly utility bills will be.

To keep energy usage down, new Australian homes today are required to present an energy-efficient building plan. Once the property has been built, an accredited assessor can check its overall conditions and provide the compatible energy efficiency rating it has earned.

A Quick Overview of the 6-Star Rating System

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme or NatHERS implements a rating system to know the thermal comfort and energy efficiency of Australian homes. This system is mandatory for all new homes and extensions in Australia and is often done through software simulations. Once the properties have been assessed, the potential heating and cooling energy use are determined, providing properties with their compatible energy efficiency ratings.

The rating system of NatHERS emphasises the capability of a building to provide a great living experience to households without depending heavily on cooling or heating systems. The more stars a property gets, the more comfortable the occupants will experience and feel throughout their stay in the house even with a minimal number of artificial cooling or heating. A high star rating also means that the property is cost-efficient and eco-friendly.

A home’s energy rating is determined by its layout, the construction materials used for the walls, windows, roofs, and others, window orientation, and compatibility with the local climate.

Receive a 6-Star Energy Rating for Your Home

Receiving a 6-star energy rating or more for your home can be achieved by carrying out the following things.

• Consider the Orientation and Location: Your property should be adjusted based on its orientation and the location of outdoor elements. Some areas on your lot may receive tons of sunlight. Changing the placement of your rooms must be done so that they will not be exposed to too much heat at specific times of the day. Non-habitable rooms like bathrooms should be constructed to the east and west. Bedrooms, alternatively, must be placed on the south. Living rooms and dining areas, ultimately, must be located to the north.

• Use Double-Glazed Windows: Another thing that you can do to achieve a 6-star energy rating is to use double-glazed windows in your home. Double-glazed windows are preferred in home properties as they boast better thermal performance than single-glazed ones. These windows should also face north to keep the internal temperature warm.

• Maximise Materials with Insulation: Your home can also achieve a high energy rating if it will be equipped with materials that have proper insulation. The insulation of your ceiling must be increased to R6, while your external walls must be around R2.

• Apply Proper Sealing: One more thing that must be done to earn a high energy rating for your Australian home is to apply proper sealing. Your windows, doors, vents, and exhaust fans should be sealed properly to prevent gaps from existing. Doing this prevents heated or cooled air from escaping, which only draws tons of power.

To get your Australian home evaluated for your energy rating, feel free to contact us at Empire Thermal Group.

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