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7-Star NatHERS Rating Explained: New Energy Standards for Australian Homes from 2023

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  What Is NatHERS - and Why Is Everyone Talking About It? Picture this - you are about to build your dream home in Australia. Then someone mentions you need a NatHERS rating. You nod along, not entirely sure what that means. That is more common than you think. NatHERS , short for the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, is the official Australian government framework used to measure home energy rating . It assigns a star rating - from 0 to 10 - based on how well a home's design controls temperature naturally. The higher the stars, the less your home leans on heating and cooling systems. From 1 May 2023, a major shift happened. The National Construction Code raised the bar - all new residential builds now require a minimum NatHERS rating of 7 stars. That is a full two-star jump from the old 6-star requirement. Not only that, but the update also introduced a home performance rating for whole-of-home energy use - covering things like hot water systems, lighting, and appliances. B...

New BASIX Energy Efficiency Standards Explained: What Homeowners Need to Know?

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  The new BASIX energy efficiency standards are updated rules in New South Wales that guide how homes use energy and water. These rules raise the minimum performance level for new homes and major renovations. They focus on comfort, lower energy demand, and long-term savings. Recent NSW housing data shows that heating and cooling can take up close to 40 percent of household energy use. This way, stricter BASIX rules aim to cut waste before homes are built. The BASIX certificate now reflects higher expectations from councils and buyers. A BASIX certificate confirms that a home design meets NSW BASIX building sustainability targets. It also shows compliance with updated BASIX energy performance benchmarks. For many projects, this certificate decides whether approvals move forward. Why Does the BASIX Certificate Now Matter More? The BASIX certificate has become a core approval document in NSW. Councils check it closely during the DA and CC stages. Builders and designers also rely on i...