Boost your NatHERS rating with Certified Energy’s expert tips. Discover simple design strategies to improve your home’s energy efficiency and meet Australia’s sustainability standards.
Achieving a higher NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) star rating is essential for ensuring your residential project meets Australia’s stringent energy efficiency and sustainability requirements. A higher star rating not only signifies enhanced thermal comfort and reduced energy consumption for occupants but also plays a pivotal role in regulatory compliance and project approval processes across multiple states and territories.
For project owners, developers, and architects, a superior NatHERS rating can directly contribute to increased property value, operational cost savings, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. It also demonstrates a proactive commitment to future-proofing assets in alignment with evolving environmental standards and community expectations.
Fundamental aspects of building design substantially impact your NatHERS rating. Considerations such as site orientation, window placement and sizing, insulation quality, building envelope tightness and material selection all play a critical role in thermal performance assessments.
Other key factors include the zoning of living and sleeping areas, use of thermal mass, shading strategies, and the integration of passive solar design principles. The holistic coordination of these elements during the early design phase, supported by rigorous thermal modelling, is essential for optimising energy efficiency outcomes and ensuring compliance with the latest building codes and regulatory frameworks.
A range of common errors can significantly undermine a project’s NatHERS performance. These include insufficient insulation, excessive glazing without appropriate shading, poorly sealed building envelopes and inadequate cross-ventilation. Overlooking thermal bridging or using suboptimal materials can also lead to increased heat transfer and reduced comfort.
Neglecting site-specific climate data, failing to integrate passive design measures, or prioritising aesthetics over function may result in regulatory non-compliance and costly redesigns. Early engagement of accredited assessors is critical to identify and rectify these issues before documentation and construction phases commence.
Certified Energy delivers expert guidance throughout the entire design and compliance journey, leveraging best-practice modelling tools and deep industry expertise to optimise NatHERS outcomes. Our accredited assessors work collaboratively with project teams to analyse design scenarios, recommend cost-effective upgrades and ensure seamless compliance with Section J, BASIX and other relevant standards.
By providing detailed energy modelling, comprehensive reporting, and actionable design recommendations, Certified Energy supports project owners and design professionals in achieving higher star ratings, minimising risk, and securing timely project approvals. Our tailored consultancy approach ensures your project not only meets but often exceeds Australia’s energy efficiency and sustainability benchmarks.