How To Get A 7 Star Energy Rating For Your Home

How To Get A 7 Star Energy Rating WITH THE Increase to BASIX Standards And Changes to Energy Efficiency Ratings

Attain A 7-Star Energy Rating For Your Home

Upgrades to the BASIX standards were implemented on 1 October 2023, introducing elevated thermal and energy performance requirements making it more challenging to attain a 7-Star Energy Rating for your home. A notable addition is the obligation to assess and document the embodied emissions of construction materials.

The revised standards now apply to all new residential constructions across NSW, except homes in climate zones 9, 10, and 11 in north-eastern NSW and apartment complexes up to five storeys.

Benefits of the new standards include:

Reduced Energy Costs: Expected savings on electricity could reach up to $980 annually due to decreased usage.
Enhanced Home Comfort: Improved insulation means homes will stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, reducing the need to use heating and cooling systems frequently.
Lower Carbon Footprint: The upgrades are a step towards achieving net zero homes by 2050, contributing to reducing carbon emissions.

Since its inception in 2004, BASIX has prevented approximately 12.3 million tonnes of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. With the new standards, it is projected to cut an additional 150,000 tonnes yearly, equivalent to the output of 31 wind turbines or the environmental impact of planting around half a million trees.

These updates are part of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Sustainable Buildings) 2022 and align with the broader NSW and national objectives outlined in the Net Zero Plan Stage 1 and the national Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings strategy.

The recent update to the BASIX standards in NSW is a response to the growing need for energy efficiency. It raises the mandatory compliance level with the Building Code of Australia's energy efficiency requirements from 5 stars to 7 stars. This change is a significant step towards reducing water and energy usage, and homeowners need to understand the context and importance of this update.

Ways To Get A NatHERS 7-Star Rating

Read on to learn more about how to get a 7 star energy rating. To comply with the updated BASIX requirements of achieving a 7-star rating as defined by the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), you can employ several strategies to enhance new homes' energy efficiency and thermal performance. Here are some essential methods:

Improved Insulation: Enhancing the insulation in walls, roofs, and floors to prevent heat loss during winter and heat gain during summer, which is crucial for maintaining a stable indoor temperature with minimal energy use. We now roll 140mm wide steel frames, a relatively new feature in the steel framing industry. This innovative design enables the use of bulk insulation, providing significantly improved thermal performance and reducing thermal conductivity compared to traditional 90mm steel frames.
High-Performance Glazing: Installing double-glazed or even triple-glazed windows can significantly reduce heat transfer, helping to keep the home warmer in winter and cooler in summer without excessive use of heating and cooling systems.
Solar Photovoltaic Systems: Incorporating solar panels can offset energy use significantly, contributing to a better NatHERS rating by reducing the home's reliance on grid electricity.
Efficient Heating and Cooling Systems: Opt for energy-efficient systems, like reverse-cycle air conditioners, and ensure they are correctly sized and installed for the space they need to service.
Solar Hot Water Systems: Using solar energy to heat water can reduce a significant amount of electricity or gas consumption, which is beneficial for achieving a higher energy rating.
Orientation and Design: Designing the home to take advantage of natural light and heat from the sun can significantly enhance heating efficiency. Properly positioning the house and windows can maximise passive solar heating and natural cooling.
Sealing and Ventilation: Ensuring that the home is well-sealed against drafts while providing adequate ventilation to reduce moisture and maintain air quality can also improve energy efficiency.
Water Efficiency: Implementing water-saving fixtures and fittings and considering rainwater harvesting systems to reduce potable water use is also a BASIX assessment component.
Energy-Efficient Appliances and Lighting: Choosing appliances and lighting fixtures that have high energy efficiency ratings can further reduce the overall energy consumption of the home.
Alternative Energy Sources: Incorporating solar energy systems can significantly enhance a home's NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) rating. Solar photovoltaic panels, solar hot water systems, and solar pool heaters contribute to a higher rating by reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources, thus lowering overall energy consumption. This renewable energy approach minimises greenhouse gas emissions, helping meet the stringent energy efficiency criteria required for a 7-star rating under the updated BASIX standards. Solar energy systems paired with adequate energy storage solutions, like batteries, further maximise these benefits by storing excess power generated during the day for later use, which can also help offset heating, cooling, and general electricity usage.

Implementing these strategies helps comply with the BASIX requirements and reduce a home's long-term operational costs, contributing to more sustainable and environmentally friendly construction as well as attaining a 7 star energy rating.