Homes
Australia's eight million homes are responsible for approximately 13 per cent of Australia's energy use and 10 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions.
The number of homes in Australia, the size of those homes and the energy they use is expected to grow. In fact, trends point to an increase in energy used by homes of more than 55 per cent between 1990 and 2020.
Australian governments are working to help Australian homes use less energy and save on energy bills through a mixture of regulation, incentives, financial support, information and support to industry.
These measures aim to affect the way a home is built and renovated, how the building's performance is rated, how Australians use energy and even how efficient the appliances and equipment.
Australians are encouraged to save energy through Clean Energy Future and some households will receive assistance through payment increases and/or tax cuts. The Australian Government has introduced a carbon tax for major polluting corporations, and over half the money raised will be used to assist households.
New homes and major renovations
National Construction Code
With around 130,000 new homes built each year, there is a tremendous opportunity to make these homes more energy efficient, cheaper to run and more comfortable.
The National Construction Code outlines the minimum requirements for for new building work.
The requirements for energy efficiency are consistent with the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency (COAG, updated July 2010), and include:
- a minimum six star energy rating (or equivalent) for new homes (implemented from May 2011), and
- energy efficiency standards for air-conditioning, lighting and hot water systems.
Updates to the National Construction Code are led by the Australian Building Codes Board and are subject to an extensive consultation process. The National Construction Code is given legal effect through state and territory building legislation. Individual state and territory legislation determines the buildings and new building work to which the energy efficiency provisions apply. For further information on energy efficiency ratings in your state visit the National House Energy Rating Scheme website.
In September 2009, the Australian Building Codes Board released an analysis of the expected benefits and costs for homes in meeting stronger energy efficiency requirements.
Commercial and Residential Consultation RISs for BCA2010 Energy Efficiency Proposals - Australian Building Codes Board, September 2009
Analysis found that:
- By 2020, the updated building code will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 600,000 tonnes each year.
- For the homeowner, the costs and savings of the measures will depend on factors such as the orientation, design and material used in the home and whether these are appropriate for the climate zone.
- The analysis used estimates of costs and savings that are considered to be conservative rather than a low or lowest cost approach.
- The range in outcomes for homes is between a net saving of up to $8,025 and a net cost of up to $2,240.
- The estimated net impact on the total cost of a new dwelling (for example, a house and land package or apartment) is minimal.
- In capital cities, homes can achieve a saving of a little over half a percent of the total cost of a new dwelling or incur a cost of approximately a quarter of a per cent of the total cost of a new dwelling.
Evaluation of residential building energy efficiency standards
The Australian Government is undertaking an evaluation of residential building energy efficiency standards to provide governments and industry with real-world results of the effectiveness of energy efficiency standards for housing.
The 5 star standard (in the 2006 – 2009 Building Code of Australia) will be evaluated against earlier standards.
The evaluation project was awarded to CSIRO on the 28th June 2011. Results of the evaluation are expected to be available by end of 2012.
Existing buildings
Energy, Water and Greenhouse Performance Disclosure
Under the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency, Australian, state and territory governments have proposed requiring owners of existing houses, flats and apartments to provide energy, water and greenhouse performance information when selling or leasing their properties. Access to this performance information will allow buyers and renters to better compare different properties. The scheme will also allow and encourage energy, water and greenhouse performance to be factored into property promotion and provide an additional stimulus for smarter design, construction and renovation.
This policy measure is still in development stage. Extensive consultation against a draft consultation regulation impact statement took place over July-September 2011 with industry stakeholder groups and the public. Information sessions were held in all states and territories and 137 submissions were received from the public, industry and non-government organisations.
The consultation sessions and individual submissions provided a significant amount of useful information. Consideration of this information has led to further work being undertaken by Australian, state and territory governments to more clearly distinguish the differences between single title, strata title, owner occupier and rental property markets and how these differences would be best reflected in a performance disclosure scheme for the residential property sector. Further work is also being done by governments to refine a number of key cost and benefit parameters in order to improve the economic modelling of scheme options. Stakeholders also provided advice on what they thought were the key elements of an effective scheme. Among these one of the most commonly stressed was the importance of ensuring credible performance ratings. Many suggestions were also made of how to successfully communicate the aims and the benefits of the scheme. It is anticipated that further industry consultation will be undertaken prior to presenting the scheme options in a Decision Regulation Impact Statement. As yet no firm dates can be advised for consultations.
The Australian Capital Territory has required existing homes to provide energy efficiency information to buyers and renters since 1999.
Queensland has required existing homes to provide building performance information since January 2010
What is the Australian Government doing to help homeowners improve the sustainability of their homes?
- Through Clean Energy Future, the Australian Government is helping most householders improve their energy efficiency, through a combination of tax cuts and payments to assist with the costs of the carbon price which has been imposed on major polluting industries.
- The Australian Government has produced a household assistance estimator, which is a guide to help households understand the impact that a carbon price is expected to have on the price of goods and services and the cash assistance that will be provided. The first assistance payments will commence from May–June 2012.
- The Australian Government has a mixture of financial incentives, regulation, strategies and information resources all geared towards improving the sustainability of homes, workplaces and government buildings.
- Most recently, governments have agreed to introduce stricter energy efficiency requirements in building codes, compulsory energy ratings for commercial buildings which are sold and leased, and introduced tougher energy efficiency standards and energy labelling for a range of household appliances and equipment.
- Financial support is available to homeowners installing greenhouse efficient hot water systems, renewable energy, rainwater tanks and greywater systems.
- Personalised advice is also available with free home sustainability assessments.
- Take action to find out what support is available from Australian, state and territory governments at www.livinggreener.gov.au
Information resources
Helpful information on sustainable design, construction and renovation
For independent and detailed information on sustainable design, construction and renovation, see the Your Home materials developed by the Australian Government in cooperation with the building design and construction industry.
Your Home website
Energy ratings for windows
It is estimated that up to 40 per cent of energy in the home is lost through windows. Improving the performance of windows reduces the energy costs to heat and cool a home and will help make you more comfortable.
The windows energy rating scheme rates the energy efficiency of a window on a scale of one to five stars and is attached to the window at the point of sale. The scheme is run by the Australasian Window Council and its creation was supported by the Australian Government.
Window energy rating scheme website
Water efficiency labels
Product suppliers are required to provide water efficiency information and star ratings for consumers of clothes washers, dishwashers, showers, taps, toilets, urinals and flow controllers.
The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme is a joint initiative of Australian, state and territory governments.
Water efficiency labelling and standards scheme website
Improving the efficiency of appliances and equipment
The Australian Government has regulated minimum energy performance standards and energy labelling for a wide range of household and commercial appliances and equipment.
Living Greener website
How well does your home perform
The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme includes computer simulations to assess the potential thermal comfort of Australian homes on a scale of zero to 10 stars. The more stars, the less likely the occupants are to need cooling or heating to stay comfortable.
House energy ratings
Information on sustainable urban development
The Your Development website provides a guide for developers, architects and urban planners to achieve more sustainable subdivision and urban infill developments. The resource was funded by the Australian Government and developed in cooperation with CSIRO, state and territory governments and the building and design industry.
Your Development website