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Showing posts from April, 2025

How NABERS Supports Green Star Performance in Commercial Buildings

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A strong Green Star strategy is not just about design. It is about proving your building actually performs once people move in, and that is exactly where NABERS comes in. Green Star rates how sustainably a building is designed, while a NABERS Rating measures how it really runs day to day. Used together, they turn a good design into a building that genuinely delivers. If you are planning a Green Star project, understanding how these two systems connect is the key to a smoother, stronger result. What Is the Difference Between Green Star & NABERS? The two tools measure different things at different stages. Getting this clear from the start saves a lot of confusion later. Green Star assesses the sustainability of a building's design and construction. It looks at the whole picture, from materials to indoor quality, and awards a rating for how well the building is planned. NABERS, on the other hand, measures actual operational performance after the building is occupied. A NABERS ene...

The NatHERS Existing Homes Scheme: A New Tool for Energy Ratings

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Australia’s housing landscape is undergoing a transformative shift with the expansion of the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS ) to include existing homes.  This landmark initiative, set for full rollout by mid-2025, aims to improve energy efficiency, reduce household costs, and support Australia’s transition to net-zero emissions.  For homeowners, renters, and industry professionals, this marks a pivotal step toward sustainable living. Let’s explore what this expansion entails, its implications for NatHERS assessors, and how it interacts with existing frameworks like BASIX. Why NatHERS for Existing Homes Matters? Most Australian homes were built before modern energy standards, with over 10.8 million dwellings averaging below three stars in energy performance.  The new NatHERS Existing Homes Scheme addresses this gap by introducing standardised energy assessments that evaluate a home’s thermal performance, fixed appliances (e.g., heating/cooling systems), a...