When building a new residence, it is a requirement to achieve a minimum 6-star energy rating as per the Queensland Development Code.
Not to worry – building to a 6-star rating encourages smarter design and benefits you in so many ways.
You will make ongoing savings and be able to live comfortably all year round. What more could you ask for?
These are just a couple of benefits; let’s explore them further:
Benefits:
Wise investment: Specific choice of fixtures, fittings and appliances that consume less energy all contribute to meeting a 6-star energy efficiency. This guarantees long-term savings & if you choose to sell, your home will be high value.
Cuts costs: Your energy bills will be lower as you’re consuming less energy E.g. You won’t need to run artificial cooling or heating as the home is designed to maintain an optimum living temperature.
Environment: Energy efficient homes prevent energy waste, pollution and emissions helping the environment – greater peace of mind for you!
Comfortable living: Thermal performance within your home improves, maintaining comfortable living temperatures throughout the home regardless of outside weather conditions.
How do I make my home more energy efficient?
Consider the factors below to help you understand what’s needed for a passive designed home,
Site location and climate influences how the factors will be applied, therefore they will be different for everyone’s project.
Orientation
Place your home on site with consideration to the sun path and light entrance to the home. This will ensure your home remains a suitable temperature throughout the day. Ensure living areas have more exposure to the morning/winter sun, window eves will shade the rooms from the summer/evening sun. Be aware of wind patterns so the home allows entrance of wind for cooling.
Material Choice
Your choice of material colour has a big impact on the temperature within your home, particularly through the summer months. opt for lighter colors that don’t absorb the suns heat as much as darker colors do.
Window
The size and placement of your windows will control the sunlight and heat entrance to your home.
The glass you choose for windows will also influence the level of insulation. For example, double glazing as opposed to standard toned glass will improve the insulation of your home and reduce the energy costs.
Solar
Installing solar panels to your home maximizes use of the sunlight (using a natural source) to generate electricity and stores that energy whilst not in use. Investing in solar panels enables you to save money long term and adds value to your home if you choose to sell.
LED Lighting
LED lights are a cost-effective option has they are brighter, longer lasting and use consume less energy. Meaning, they’re better value for money and your electricity bill will be lower! If your home is built to capture sunlight, this will also reduce the need for us throughout the day.
Insulation
Insulation is great for passive heating and cooling, keeping your home cool during summer and warm during winter. Insulate your walls, roofs, and floors to ensure a comfortable living temperature internally. This reduces the need to warm and cool your home. Saving you energy bills!
Appliances and home electronics
With window placement and effective passive design, the internal temperature of your home should be relatively comfortable.
To stimulate air movement, install ceiling fans to rooms as opposed to air conditioning. Fans use far less energy than air conditioning, therefore reducing costs and helping you to achieve a great energy efficiency rating.
When & how does my home get assessed?
Your home will be assessed during the design phase, where Asset Cabins and Homes will submit architectural drawings to a qualified NatHERS assessor.
A NatHERS assessor uses the common 6-star method which calculates the energy required to cool and heat the home throughout the year; this is with consideration to the building’s walls, windows, roofs, and floors.
The final calculation determines the rating: the higher the rating, the less energy the home requires. Therefore, the more compliant the home design is.
Speak to one of our design team today about the placement of your proposed home onsite, to ensure maximum environmental benefits.