NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is now seeking consultation to include energy performance ratings for existing homes ahead of the launch in mid-2025. The recent updates to NatHERS will be leveraged to measure the home’s energy performance, providing ratings based on the home’s design, materials, constructions, fixed appliances, on-site energy generation and storage.
This expansion will aim to improve:
- the energy performance of Australian homes,
- lower greenhouse emissions,
- enhance the comfort and resilience of homes,
- reduce energy costs
- lower pressure on the energy system
“NatHERS for existing homes will help drive improvements to the energy performance of Australian homes, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve the comfort and resilience of households, reduce energy costs and lower pressures on the energy system.” - NatHERS
The proposed changes for existing homes will not change the NatHERS for new homes program design and current accredited software tools will still support new home assessments and ratings.
Written feedback from community members in response to the upcoming additions can be made through the DCCEEW (Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water) Consultation Hub before midnight Friday, 30 August 2024.
What does this mean?
There is a substantial opportunity to enhance the performance of Australia’s housing stock. Most Australian homes were built without accounting for the local climate and many predate the implementation of minimum energy performance standards.
Boosting the energy efficiency of homes is crucial for Australia to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Residential buildings account for about a quarter of the country’s electricity consumption and more than 10% of its emissions.
"The average existing home in Australia has an estimated NatHERS thermal performance rating of less than 3 out of 10 stars (P Rajagopalan, et al, 2023). Improving a home from a 3-star to a 5-star rating could reduce the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling by around 40% according to DCCEEW’s NatHERS 2022 Starbands." - NatHERS
Enhancing home energy performance will lower household energy bills and improve residents' health and comfort whilst significantly impacting Australia’s national emissions reduction goals. Ratings for existing homes will help Australians understand their home’s energy efficiency, identify cost-effective upgrades to enhance comfort and reduce energy expenses.
These ratings will also:
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Facilitate both mandatory and voluntary disclosure of home energy ratings and information.
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Enable financial products that accelerate investment in home upgrades by helping households discover savings opportunities, encouraging banks to provide more capital for energy-efficient home improvements, and ensuring these loans are recognised as green investments.
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Support targeted grant programs for households unable to afford home upgrades.
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Provide high-quality data for consumers, industry, and government to drive targeted improvements in home energy performance.
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Complement other standards, such as minimum rental standards.
You can find more information here.
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info@certifiedenergy.com.au
