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Good design is key to building modern energy efficient homes that are cheaper to run and more comfortable to live in.
The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme or NatHERS has been guiding good home design since 1993.
NatHERS is the most popular way of meeting minimum requirements for new builds in the National Construction Code.
More efficient homes help reduce energy use and improve the reliability of the energy grid for all Australians, helping us on our path to net zero by 2050.
NatHERS assessments provide a star rating out of ten based on hundreds of factors, such as the home’s construction, local climate and orientation on the block.
C-S-I-R-O science drives software that estimates the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling. Just like the ratings for fridges and TVs, the higher the star rating, the lower your bills.
NatHERS can improve the energy efficiency of your home during the design phase. Simple changes can significantly increase a home energy rating, improving comfort and saving money on bills.
Appropriate shading on the western side of a home can be added, or the house can be rotated to face north to capture winter sun. More insulation can be used and double glazed windows could be added.
A home energy assessment also helps you make decisions on energy efficient appliances suited to your family and local climate.
A NatHERS certificate shows an additional energy performance score out of 100. This includes hot water, heating and cooling, lighting, cooking and plug-in appliances, as well as pool and spa equipment.
The rating considers energy used for heating and cooling, and appliances, minus energy generated from solar panels, building a useful snapshot of energy costs as well as greenhouse gas emissions.
The updates to NatHERS are also providing the framework for banks to offer green home loans, and help drive demand within industry for the skills needed to focus on energy efficiency.
Learn how NatHERS is guiding the design of the next generation of Australian homes at nathers dot gov dot au
Explore ways to improve energy efficiency at your home dot gov dot au
