How do you achieve a NatHERS 7 Star Rating?

Short answer

You can achieve a NatHERS 7 star rating by designing for orientation using insulation choosing high performance glazing and improving ventilation.

Full answer

Key strategies for achieving 7 stars include:

• Orienting living area to capture winter sun while avoiding excess summer heat

• Improving insulation in walls ceilings and floors

• Selecting glazing that reduces heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer

• Ensuring airtightness and cross ventilation for natural cooling

• Using shading devices such as eaves and awnings

• Optimising building materials to reduce thermal bridging

Why this matters

Design decisions made early in planning lock in energy performance for the life of the building. Achieving 7 stars at the design stage is easier and cheaper than retrofitting later.

How Certified Energy can help

We work closely with architects and builders to model different design options and identify the most cost effective pathway to 7 star compliance.

Related regulations

• National Construction Code 2022 Section J residential provisions

• NatHERS technical notes and modelling requirements

• State and territory planning guidelines

Helpful resources 

• What is a NatHERS 7 Star Rating?

• Why has NatHERS changed to 7 stars?

• What are the benefits of a NatHERS 7 Star Home?

• Do renovations need to meet NatHERS 7 Star requirements?