When building a new home, one of the most important things developers are now having to look at is the energy efficiency rating and how mindful they’ve been about the appliances and equipment they’ve chosen to use. Earlier this year the National Construction Code (NCC) brought into effect two major changes in the energy efficiency requirements, which now require you to have an energy efficiency assessment before it can be deemed as liveable.
The energy efficiency assessment will be done by your Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) assessor to make sure it’s up to the new NCC standard. Explore everything you need to know in preparation for your assessment below.
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What’s changed in the NCC?
The NCC has recently implemented two major changes in regard to energy efficiency, including:
- 7-star energy efficiency rating: Your new builds must now achieve a minimum energy efficiency rating of 7 out of 10 stars from your NatHERs assessor. Learn more about 7 star energy efficiency rating homes
- Whole of Home assessment: New builds must stay within an energy budget as part of this newly introduced requirement
These two changes have a common goal of improving energy efficiency across Australia, reducing living costs, and pushing people towards an energy-independent lifestyle. While they’re excellent in theory, builders and developers still need to get used to the new rules before planning any more units.
What’s a NatHERS assessor and why do you need one?
A NatHERS Accredited Assessor is a trained expert who can help guide the design of your new build to meet the requirements of the NCC. So, if you’re still unsure of what’s expected of you after these new changes, they’ll be able to help. They’ll also offer expert advice on how to boost your efficiency star rating and reduce the heating and cooling needs of your building.
But that’s not all – NatHERS assessors can also be useful in:
- Finding the best appliances to support an energy-efficient home
- Giving information on the energy performance of an advertised property in the future
NatHERS star ratings
To show your compliance with the first NCC revision (a minimum energy efficiency rating of 7 stars), you’ll need a NatHERS assessor who can carry out the assessment that gives you your rating. Star ratings can be given to new homes, major renovations, or even an existing home.
The star rating you get gives you information on the thermal efficiency and performance of your new build. Each rating is out of 10 and focuses most on the home’s shell, which includes the roof, windows, flooring, and walls. The orientation of the new build will also play a pivotal part in how efficient your home is.
The appliances and equipment you’ve installed within the new build won’t be assessed at this stage. For example, an installed HVAC system won’t affect your star rating. However, these will be included in the Whole of Home assessment.
Whole of Home assessment
Your NatHERS assessor will also cover the Whole of Home assessment, which is used in your overall NatHERS assessment conclusion. Whole of Home assessments can be conducted on new builds, major renovations, or existing homes. The score you get will complement your star rating to give you a better idea of the energy efficiency of your new build as a whole.
Whole of Home assessments look at all major energy that’s used and generated within a home, including:
- Hot water, as well as heating and cooling systems
- Lighting and plug-in appliances
- Pool and spa equipment
- Solar energy generated onsite and stored in batteries
The rating of your Whole of Home assessment shows just how important energy performance in new builds is. The better your score, the more enticing your property will be for potential buyers.
Understanding the climate zone you’re in
The climate you’re building in has a huge impact on how to build an energy efficient new build. Australia has plenty of different climates depending on where you’re located, so what might work in the hotter climates might not work to improve energy efficiency in cooler places.
Your NatHERS assessment will take climate into consideration, so you need to, too. Your assessor will be able to help you come up with a great plan on how to build your development in accordance with the climate, boosting your star rating and Whole of Home score.
How do you get an assessment?
The best and most reliable way to get an assessment is to enlist the help of a NatHERS Accredited Assessor. Not only will they be able to help you with your building journey, but they’ll also offer a reliable energy rating once your new build is ready for assessment. All accredited assessors complete plenty of training to comply with professional quality assurance and the government’s code of conduct.
You can find a NatHERS assessor through several Assessor Accrediting Organisations (AAO) for your new build, including:
- Australia Building Sustainability Association
- Design Matters National
- House Energy Raters Association
Our top tips for passing your energy efficiency assessment
There are many ways you can boost the energy efficiency of your home to make sure your new build passes its assessment, including:
- Considering the orientation of your home: Making sure your home is correctly orientated to the climate is a surefire way of boosting your new build’s energy efficiency star rating.
- Use a trusted supplier for your appliances: Electrical appliances and equipment can quickly increase your Whole of Home energy efficiency assessment rating, so choosing a supplier who only carries reliable energy-efficient options is a must.
- Install solar panels: Energy efficiency assessments don’t just take into account the energy that’s used – they also look at what’s taken and stored. Solar panels can boost a rating and give you a nice cushion to fall back on should something else go awry.
- Seal, glaze, and insulate: The 7-star rating rule looks at the entire shell of your home, so paying particular attention to sealing and glazing windows is a must. All exterior walls, the flooring, and roof should be insulted for maximum efficiency, too.
- Work with your NatHERS assessor early: You can work with a NatHERS assessor as soon as you like, and we highly recommend enlisting their help as soon as possible so they can help you make informed decisions instead of changing things later on.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
There’s always the potential to miss things and make mistakes when preparing for an assessment. Here are some common pitfalls developers fall into and how to avoid them:
- Failing to hire a professional soon enough: As we say, you can never enlist the help of a building certifier or NatHERS assessor soon enough. These professionals are trained in NCC requirements and will have plenty of advice to offer which can save you both time and money in the long run, so hiring them early is a great idea.
- Not considering the climate you’re building in: The climate of your new build will affect the rating of your assessment if you’re not careful – especially if your plans don’t take it into account. Consider the climate and decide whether there are any special features that need to be tailored to make it as efficient as possible in its environment.
- Only focusing on one part of the assessment: NatHERS assessments look at both the building shell, which is star-rated up to 10, and the Whole of Home assessment. Only catering to one of these assessments can bring your entire score down and leave you needing to rectify more things before going to market.
Explore other NCC requirements and regulations you need to be aware of before building a new home
- NCC changes 2024
- NCC energy efficiency requirements
- NCC waterproofing requirements
- NCC floor waste requirements class 1
- NCC handrail requirements
- NCC disability access requirements
Get free advice on your energy efficiency from an experienced building broker
Still not 100% sure what you need to do for your NatHERs energy efficiency assessment? Buildi’s team of experts are waiting on hand to give you free advice on anything you may be unsure of. Why not give us a call on 1300 947 132 or get in touch through our Contact Form for today to see how we can help you navigate these new requirements?
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