New homes across Australia will be turning green! Don’t worry, we don’t mean the actual colour green. Instead, new home designs and floor plans will require a 7 star energy rating.
The current requirement for new homes is to achieve a 6 star energy rating. Increasing the minimum to 7 stars will see houses become more energy efficient, which helps the environment and saves families money.
This new energy requirement will roll out across Australia at different stages. In Western Australia, the implementation date is 1 May 2025. But that hasn’t stopped the Move Homes team from exploring what the 7 star changes are and how we can make it easy for home buyers.
What: Every new home that is built will need to achieve a 7 star energy rating, which is an increase from the current 6 star minimum.
Why: A home that has a higher energy rating is better for the environment because its takes less energy to heat and cool.
How: Achieving 7 stars can be done by changing design features and materials, such as window placements with thicker glazing. The block of land will also affect what changes are needed for a home to reach 7 stars.
Who: The new energy requirements are implemented by the National Construction Code (NCC), which dictates the minimum standards for Australian builders.
Where: Each state can determine when the changes are occurring and to what extent.
When: In Western Australia, 7 star energy ratings will be introduced for new homes from 1 May 2025. States such as Victoria introduced the requirements from 1 May 2024.
Energy efficient homes have a comfortable temperature all year round, so you’ll be cooler in Summer and warmer in Winter. By using less energy to cool and heat your home, you’ll be saving money on energy bills and reducing emissions.
Homes are given an energy rating from 0 to 10. A home with 0 stars provides no insulation from external temperatures, so it will be very hot in Summer and freezing in Winter. In contrast, a 10 star home will need no heating or cooling to maintain a comfortable temperature.
It depends on your block of land, home design and inclusions. Our Move Homes designs already include sarking and internal wall insulation, so some of our homes have already achieved a 7 star energy rating for no extra cost.
Yes! This is because you will spend less money each year on heating and cooling.
Absolutely! Dark colours can make your home warmer in Summer, which is why some Perth councils and land estates have banned black roofs. The best colours to keep your roof cooler are Dover White and Surfmist, which are both white colours. Southerly, Evening Haze and Shale Grey also have a good Solar Reflectance Index.
One example is that in Perth, it’s recommended that the living areas are located to the north. This is so they receive the Winter sun, which reduces the need for heating. But it also means that in Summer – when the sun sits higher – the eaves will provide more protection and reduce the need for cooling.
Finding the right block of land can save you thousands of dollars when building an energy efficient home. Plus, it affects your floor plan so it’s important to pick the right spot. Our team can build your new home that meets all the requirements without breaking your budget.
Over the last 50 years we have proudly built over 20,000 homes for Australian families. We have the same values today as we did in 1969 when we built our first home in Light Street Dianella.
