Blogs
Brick Hebel or Weatherboard | Empire Thermal
Brick veneer, Hebel and weatherboard can all be used in an energy-efficient home. Comparing them requires the complete wall system, not just the external finish or a claim attached to a material. The ... ...more
Empire Thermal
November 09, 2026•2 min read
Plan Changes and Energy Ratings | Empire Thermal
Changing your building plans can affect the energy assessment, even when the revision looks minor on a drawing. The right step is to send the change to your assessor and confirm its implications befor... ...more
Empire Thermal
November 05, 2026•2 min read
Narrow Block Thermal Performance | Empire Thermal
A narrow block can support a comfortable, energy-efficient home, but the design needs to work with limited frontage, side access and neighbouring development. Copying a wider plan and compressing it m... ...more
Empire Thermal
November 02, 2026•2 min read
Efficient Home High Energy Bills | Empire Thermal
Yes. A home can have a strong design-stage energy rating and still receive a high electricity bill. The rating describes performance under assessment assumptions; the bill reflects actual consumption,... ...more
Empire Thermal
October 29, 2026•2 min read
North-Facing Homes and Orientation | Empire Thermal
A north-facing front door does not, by itself, make a home energy efficient. What matters is how the rooms, windows and shading respond to sunlight in the local climate. ...more
Empire Thermal
October 26, 2026•2 min read
Single vs Double Storey Efficiency | Empire Thermal
Neither single-storey nor double-storey construction automatically produces a more energy-efficient home. The result depends on the shape, size and specification of each design, its site and how its r... ...more
Empire Thermal
October 22, 2026•2 min read
Block Orientation and 7-Star Ratings | Empire Thermal
Your block can make an energy-efficient design easier or more challenging, but it does not determine the final rating on its own. The important question is how the proposed home responds to the site's... ...more
Empire Thermal
October 20, 2026•2 min read
New Home Insulation Requirements | Empire Thermal
Your new home needs an insulation specification suited to its construction, climate and required assessment outcome. There is no single ceiling or wall product that establishes the right package for e... ...more
Empire Thermal
October 16, 2026•2 min read
Roof Colour and Energy Ratings | Empire Thermal
Roof colour can affect a home's thermal assessment, so it should be treated as part of the building specification. The effect depends on the roof's solar absorptance and the rest of the design, includ... ...more
Empire Thermal
October 13, 2026•2 min read
Same House Plan Different Ratings | Empire Thermal
The same floor plan can receive different energy ratings because the assessment considers more than the room arrangement. Its location on the block, surrounding conditions and documented specification... ...more
Empire Thermal
October 08, 2026•2 min read
Providing accurate building performance assessments and practical compliance solutions for residential and commercial projects across Australia.
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