Energy efficiency - it’s on everyone’s minds lately.
And that includes planning authorities!
Saving energy doesn’t just save you money. It’s now a requirement of all new builds and renovations in Australia.
The Building Code of Australia now sets out minimum energy efficiency requirements of all new homes and extensions
What exactly are these requirements? And more importantly for today’s topic, how can an Energy Report help you? risk.
It isn’t just appliances that get rated
If you’ve gone shopping for a new fridge or washing machine at any point in the last 10 years, you’ve probably noticed the star system used to rate energy efficiency.
It isn’t just household appliances that are rated in energy efficiency, however - so too can entire buildings!
Using a range of factors, the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NaTHERS) gives homes a 1-10 star rating based on their overall energy efficiency.
In order for new buildings to be approved, they’ll need to meet a minimum 6-star energy rating. Ideally however, your property will be rated even higher!
Of course, it isn’t just property owners that have a need for the information included in an energy report...
It isn’t just household appliances that are rated in energy efficiency, however - so too can entire buildings!
Using a range of factors, the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NaTHERS) gives homes a 1-10 star rating based on their overall energy efficiency.
In order for new buildings to be approved, they’ll need to meet a minimum 6-star energy rating. Ideally however, your property will be rated even higher!
Of course, it isn’t just property owners that have a need for the information included in an energy report...
Planning authorities
As we’ve said before, there are many different documents you’ll need to submit as you’re applying for a building permit.
One of them is an Energy Report.
Energy efficiency is one of the criteria councils look at when approving new construction or extensive renovations.
If your project needs a building permit, there’s no way around it - you’ll also need an Energy Report.
One of them is an Energy Report.
Energy efficiency is one of the criteria councils look at when approving new construction or extensive renovations.
If your project needs a building permit, there’s no way around it - you’ll also need an Energy Report.
Potential buyers
Some home buyers and businesses place a large emphasis on energy efficiency. They don’t just want reassurances; they want proof.
An Energy Report is just what you need for this.
Getting an Energy Report allows you to put a number to your home’s energy efficiency, and can help you sway potential buyers.
An Energy Report is just what you need for this.
Getting an Energy Report allows you to put a number to your home’s energy efficiency, and can help you sway potential buyers.
Architects and builders
As an architect or builder, you’re no doubt already familiar with the energy efficiency requirements that come with building a new property.
Unsure whether the materials or floorplan you’ve settled on will meet the minimum requirement? Is your client very conscious of their energy usage?
Don't chance it - request an Energy Report.
Unsure whether the materials or floorplan you’ve settled on will meet the minimum requirement? Is your client very conscious of their energy usage?
Don't chance it - request an Energy Report.
How to obtain a 6-star energy rating: what does your Energy Report look at?
6-star rated appliances are a great choice for your home or workplace.
The point is to rate your home for energy efficiency.
That means looking at its design, and what efforts have been taken to bake energy efficiency into the design of the property.
In particular, the NaTHERS rating system focuses on thermal performance. The idea is that a home that’s able to keep the heat out in summer and retain warmth in winter won’t need to use its sheathing and cooling systems as much.
And as the most energy-hungry appliances in a property, that can translate to considerable savings!
Of course, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t upgrade to more efficient appliances - while it may hurt your hip pocket up front, over time, your bank account will thank you.
Just be aware that it won’t change your home’s overall rating!
So, what does your rating account for then?
The point is to rate your home for energy efficiency.
That means looking at its design, and what efforts have been taken to bake energy efficiency into the design of the property.
In particular, the NaTHERS rating system focuses on thermal performance. The idea is that a home that’s able to keep the heat out in summer and retain warmth in winter won’t need to use its sheathing and cooling systems as much.
And as the most energy-hungry appliances in a property, that can translate to considerable savings!
Of course, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t upgrade to more efficient appliances - while it may hurt your hip pocket up front, over time, your bank account will thank you.
Just be aware that it won’t change your home’s overall rating!
So, what does your rating account for then?
Building materials
Some materials absorb heat and trap it inside. Others reflect it away.
The right choice of material can help regulate the temperature in the property, reducing your reliance on heating and air conditioning - and that in turn increases your energy efficiency!
The right choice of material can help regulate the temperature in the property, reducing your reliance on heating and air conditioning - and that in turn increases your energy efficiency!
Insulation
When it comes to energy efficiency, insulation is naturally going to be one of the most important parts of the equation!
There are many types of insulation out there, all of which come in a range of different forms such as bats, blankets and loose fibre.
When assessing your home’s energy efficiency, insulation is one of the first things an assessor will look at.
There are many types of insulation out there, all of which come in a range of different forms such as bats, blankets and loose fibre.
When assessing your home’s energy efficiency, insulation is one of the first things an assessor will look at.
Ventilation
Have you ever entered a building that’s cooler than others, without having to rely on air conditioning? If so, good ventilation might be the reason why.
A well-designed ventilation system can help your home or business shed heat during summer, reducing the need for air conditioning.
A well-designed ventilation system can help your home or business shed heat during summer, reducing the need for air conditioning.
Building orientation
Did you know: the way your rooms and interior walls are laid out can influence airflow as well as temperatures inside.
For an example, let’s look at open-plan design.
While popular at the moment, it isn’t without its drawbacks - namely, it takes a lot more energy to heat and cool, as you’re effectively dealing with one or two big “rooms” instead of several smaller ones.
For an example, let’s look at open-plan design.
While popular at the moment, it isn’t without its drawbacks - namely, it takes a lot more energy to heat and cool, as you’re effectively dealing with one or two big “rooms” instead of several smaller ones.
Getting an Energy Report in Victoria
Unlike other types of reports, getting an energy report isn’t a process that can be handled by a computer system, or with a self-assessment.
Instead, someone from an energy rating company will attend your property, evaluating each of the variables listed above and giving your home an overall star rating based on their observations.
In the case of construction projects, you’ll submit a detailed document outlining all the relevant information, as well as a blueprint and floor plan which they’ll assess before giving you your energy report.
Once your report comes back, it won’t just include your overall rating - it’ll also grade you on individual details such as:
- Building materials
- Layout
- Air leakage
- Insulation
- Skylights and windows
Of course, as with many other parts of your document search, the process can be long and time-consuming. That’s what we’re here to fix.
Instead, someone from an energy rating company will attend your property, evaluating each of the variables listed above and giving your home an overall star rating based on their observations.
In the case of construction projects, you’ll submit a detailed document outlining all the relevant information, as well as a blueprint and floor plan which they’ll assess before giving you your energy report.
Once your report comes back, it won’t just include your overall rating - it’ll also grade you on individual details such as:
- Building materials
- Layout
- Air leakage
- Insulation
- Skylights and windows
Of course, as with many other parts of your document search, the process can be long and time-consuming. That’s what we’re here to fix.
How PSI makes your document search easier than ever before
Liaising with assessors. Choosing an expert with the right certifications and experience. Vetting the reports to ensure that they include all the vital information you need.
These steps can be quite time-consuming. Fortunately, our process can do much of that work for you.
We turn the business of getting your Energy Report a simple set-and-forget process, doing all of the legwork for you:
- Contacting the relevant authorities
- Liasing and providing documentation
- Verifying the report they generate
In just a few clicks, you’ll have laid the foundation - our team will do the rest.
Whether you need an Energy report on its own or as part of the mountain of documents that go into planning a new construction or renovation project, PSI is here to make the process as easy as possible.
Get your Energy Report faster - order online now
Need assistance? We’re happy to talk. Call us on (03) 8527 6300 or click here to get in touch online.
These steps can be quite time-consuming. Fortunately, our process can do much of that work for you.
We turn the business of getting your Energy Report a simple set-and-forget process, doing all of the legwork for you:
- Contacting the relevant authorities
- Liasing and providing documentation
- Verifying the report they generate
In just a few clicks, you’ll have laid the foundation - our team will do the rest.
Whether you need an Energy report on its own or as part of the mountain of documents that go into planning a new construction or renovation project, PSI is here to make the process as easy as possible.
Get your Energy Report faster - order online now
Need assistance? We’re happy to talk. Call us on (03) 8527 6300 or click here to get in touch online.
The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. As with all things property, we strongly recommend consulting a professional to ensure that all stages of your building project (including the Title search) go smoothly.