Energy rating is the calculation of the efficiency on the building structure in particular the internal building envelope which we all live in.
By using complex software tools we calculate the amount of mechanical energy that will be used to heat or cool the building. As a side note a 10 star house won’t use any mechanical energy to heat or cool the home in fact by adding solar pv generation a 10 star should be carbon negative.
Heating and cooling contributes most significantly to the building’s greenhouse gas emissions (and expensive energy bills), therefore needs to be tackled first. Secondary is other uses of energy such as water heating, appliances and lighting.
We energy rate with complex software tools, which factor in different building materials, floor/wall/ceiling/glazing areas, insulation, draught, orientation & climate zone. These tools can appear relatively simple, but have taken over 20 years to develop and contain thousands of formulas and computations to reach the level of accuracy they now employ.
An accredited rater, skilled in modeling different designs using these software tools, can provide you with an accurate assessment and give you sensible and economical recommendations for improving the efficiency of your home. This will save you time, fuss and money on construction phase.
“Watch this short video to find out about the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). NatHERS is a star rating system (out of ten) that rates the energy efficiency of a home, based on its design.”
The higher the number means the home will remain comfortable year round using less or no mechanical heating or cooling. A 10 star house should require no mechanical heating or cooling whatsoever !! Imagine a home where you receive no energy bills for gas or electricity. Where on a cold night your home stays a comfortable temperature all night and in summer remains cool on the hottest of days.
Currently the Building Code of Australia (BCA) stipulates a minimum of 6 stars on the NatHERS scale.
My aim is to try to get your build the highest rating possible for a reasonable build cost, the end home will be more comfortable to live in and have a higher sale price. If you’re trying to get your build up to more than 7 stars then we can help you do just that.
We can assist you to save construction costs on the build by recommending products that are cost effective and offer the latest technology design. Depending on your site we can orient the build design to get the best rating by using passive solar to heat the home during winter.