Best Tips To Achieve 6-star Ratings For NATHERS Certification

Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, popularly known as NatHERS assessments, is the easiest way to demonstrate compliance with the minimum energy efficiency requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC).

In fact, the NatHERS assessment is one of the fundamental components of the BASIX report for the thermal comfort section. 

Energy assessors leverage the NatHERS rating tools to evaluate and get an approximate value of artificial heating and

cooling requirements of your residential structure. The house will need to stay comfortable throughout the year in all seasons. 

The outcomes are converted to a star rating between 0 and 10 stars and form a component of the NatHERS certificate.

What Do The Stars Ratings In NatHERS Certificate Indicate?

Residential structures with a greater star rating are considered more thermally comfortable and cost-effective to operate than

dwellings with a lower NatHERS star rating.

• A 0-star rating indicates the residential construction plan does practically nothing to minimize the discomfort during hot or cold weather. Therefore occupants need to rely on artificial sources heavily. 

• In most Australian states and territories, a 6-star rating is considered a minimum thermal comfort standard. It indicates good, but not outstanding, thermal performance.

• A 10-star-rated residential dwelling indicates superior construction that may not require any artificial cooling or heating to achieve thermal comfort.

The entire range of stars from 0 to 10 is known as a star band. Star bands are based on the amount of predicted

energy consumption for residential dwellings in different locations.

Hire experienced BASIX consultants for your BASIX, NatHERS, and other energy-efficiency requirements. 

Best Tips To Achieve 6-star Ratings For NATHERS Certification.

Strategize A Climate Appropriate Design

Australia encompasses 8 fundamental climate zones, and it is crucial to ensure your residential project is specifically

designed and developed to suit your climate zone. Different passive design strategies are suitable for different climatic zones.

Design To Facilitate Passive Heating And Cooling

With passive solar heating, a building receives natural heat from the sun during the cold season to achieve thermal comfort.

The building envelope is specifically designed to retain heat inside. 

This passive design for heating should be coupled with careful design and management of heat during the

hot season in many climates. Thus passive design can incredibly contribute to your star ratings in the NatHERS certificate. 

Passive cooling designs cool both the interior of the house and the occupants in it, leveraging construction components including

air movement, evaporative cooling, and thermal mass. 

Building Orientation

Orientation is the way you position your residential structure on its site to get the maximum benefit from the sun and the

prevailing winds in your particular geographical location. 

Good orientation can considerably enhance comfort and reduce your dependency on artificial heating and cooling appliances.

Orientation is not just important for your NatHERS star rating but also plays a significant role in BASIX report requirements. 

 

Consider Proper Insulation 

Insulation functions as a barrier to heat flow. Therefore, it is crucial to keep your residential structure warm in the cold

season and cool in the scorching heat. Certain types of insulation can assist with waterproofing and soundproofing.

There are several strategies and hacks to make your residential project energy-efficient and improve thermal comfort.