Starting from October 2023, every new home must have 7 star energy rating. To understand the problem with a 7-star energy rating home, let’s start with how we measure energy rating.
How do we measure energy rating?
An energy rating calculation is done using a software called NathHers, done by the energy rating consultant.
The software calculates the external envelope of the house; the insulation, the house orientation, and the size and types of windows. These will be calculated based on the design and drawings of the house done by the architect.
The higher the energy rating of the house, the more comfortable the house will be in winter and summer. There is nothing bad with the concept of a 7-star energy rating home.
However, the problem with 7-star energy rating home is:
- The cost increase
The cost of building the house will increase as we bulk up the building envelope of the house to achieve a higher rating. The Insulation and windows need to be of higher specifications. The windows need to be double-glazed in some or all parts of the house depending on your house orientation.
- Non-performance-based result
As we mentioned above, the energy rating was calculated based on the design intent and not on the actual performance of the house after construction. This creates discrepancies between the perfectly calculated design intent before construction and the actual performance after construction.
What can homeowners do to overcome the above problems?
We can’t get away with the cost increase. However, we can maximize the investment you put in the cost of materials into maximizing the energy performance of the house after construction.
One way to ensure you get what you pay for is by measuring your house’s performance during and after construction, using the blower door test.
We will explore the concept of the blower door test in our next post.
It is not too late to book a FREE clarity call at https://studiom514.com.au for your personalised blueprint before you design your future home.
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