Energy Ratings

NatHERS Energy Rating Assessments

An Energy or Thermal Efficiency star rating is an accurate indicator as to how much heating or cooling is necessary to keep your development comfortable. The energy rating generated by an accredited NatHERS assessor using licensed software indicates a dwelling’s efficiency in preserving energy. Please note, it does not indicate the dwelling’s actual consumption of energy as that depends upon appliances installed and the way in which they are used. By improving your energy rating, you will require less energy to keep your dwelling comfortable and therefore provide lower energy expenses as well as a much healthier environment.

Using the First Rate 5 software user interface, a NatHERS Accredited Assessor enters data to develop a simulation model of the house or apartment, including:

  • size and function of rooms
  • size and specification of openings
  • building materials/windows/products
  • type of construction
  • dwelling orientation
  • location

NatHERS remains the most popular pathway to demonstrate compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) energy efficiency requirements. Around 94 per cent of building approvals in 2020-2021 were assessed via the Scheme. A star rating of 6 or above is required in most parts of Australia for detached homes.

Whether you are after the minimum star rating for DA approval/ Building Approval or you want an exceptionally high performing energy efficient home, we are here to help you with your goal.

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Performance Report on an Existing House

Do you live in a house that is too cold in winter and too hot in summer, resulting in very high energy bills?

Our qualified energy assessor can come to your house, make a professional assessment on the thermal performance of your house and suggest ways of improving the energy efficiency and comfort of your home. The visit will result in a written report that outlines all the findings and will suggest an array of ideas for how you could improve the thermal efficiency of the house and hence reduce your energy bills. The list will contain budget friendly and easy DIY recommendations as well as the more complex and slightly more costly options. Then it is up to you to choose what you would like to implement from the report.

BASIX

Basix, or building sustainability index, is a NSW Government planning measure to reduce household electricity and water use by setting minimum sustainability targets for new and renovated homes. Basix identifies design features that will affect the likely level of thermal comfort and water and energy use per household such as location, building size, orientation and construction type, landscaping and fixtures. It sets minimum targets that must be achieved before a Basix certificate can be generated, and then submitted as part of a development application or application for complying development. Water and energy use affects everyone and Basix will continue to lead the way in lowering household energy and water use and costs.

A Basix certificate is required for the construction of the following:

  • new houses
  • new townhouses and villas
  • new dual occupancies
  • new granny flats
  • new flats and apartments
  • renovations of $50,000 or more to an existing home
  • swimming pools and/or spas larger than 40,000 litres
  • the conversion of an existing non-residential building to a residential building.

Consultancy

With years of experience in residential design, a Master of Architecture degree and a fully qualified Energy Rating Assessor we can work with designers from the concept stage to make sure the design reaches its full potential in terms of sustainability and energy efficiency.

We want to help you make smart ESD decisions for your project – saving you time and money.

Our fully qualified energy assessor is a specialist in the following project types:

  • Alterations and Additions
  • New Home + Granny Flat
  • Dual Occupancy
  • Townhouse
  • Unit Development