Energy Efficiency Reports Canberra
Energy Efficiency Reports are required for all new homes, renovations, and extensions In The Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
What is an Energy Efficiency Report?
An Energy Efficiency Report is an assessment of the energy efficiency of a new home. The report will ensure that your new home meets a set threshold for thermal comfort. The report will show minimum insulation and glazing requirements as well as a star rating (NatHERS 7 Stars). Our energy assessors can complete a NatHERS assessment by modelling the design of your home in energy software.
The rating will calculate how much energy you will use to keep your house comfortable. The report will show that you’re compliant with the energy efficiency requirements in the National Construction Code (NCC). This document must be submitted to the authorities to get a building permit for new homes, alterations, extensions and renovations in the ACT.
Get Your Energy Report
Get in contact today and learn how we can help prepare your Energy Report.
Need an Energy Efficiency Report in Canberra?
New dwellings, renovations, alterations and extensions in the ACT require an Energy Efficiency Report. Residential buildings must show compliance with the government requirements. The energy assessment will predict how much energy is required to keep a home comfortable. The assessment will look at the thermal comfort of the home and determine what insulation and glazing is needed.
In the ACT, the two types of energy reports most used are:
NatHERS Software Energy Rating
- An energy rating using a NatHERS accredited software tool such as FirstRate5, BERS Pro, AccuRate or HERO
- The software will generate a star rating on a scale from 0 to 10 stars – a 10 star home uses no energy for heating or cooling
- The software will also generate a separate Whole-of-Home score which measures energy usage from appliances, and considers solar panels
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
- Following the provision in the National Construction Code (NCC) which details insulation and glazing requirements
- This is a prescriptive approach with no performance offsets allowed
NatHERS Whole Of Home Energy Performance Rating
NatHERS has been expanded to provide a ‘Whole of Home’ energy performance rating, which predicts the annual energy consumption of the home.
This rating takes into account major appliances, solar panels, and batteries in addition to the building shell, providing a comprehensive assessment of energy efficiency. The assessment includes the following appliances and equipment:
- Lighting
- Heating and cooling
- Hot water
- Swimming pool and spa pumps
- Cooking and plug-in appliances
The Whole of Home rating can help homeowners understand their home’s overall energy performance and identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvement.
Learn more about the NatHERS Whole of Home assessment here.
Energy Efficiency Requirements for New Homes in the ACT
As of 15 January 2024, the ACT has adopted the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022, introducing updated energy efficiency and livable housing standards for new residential buildings – see the full announcement.
Key Requirements
- Minimum 7-Star NatHERS Rating: New single dwellings must achieve at least a 7-star rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS).
- Whole-of-Home Energy Assessment: In addition to thermal performance, a Whole-of-Home assessment is required. This evaluates the energy use of fixed appliances (heating, cooling, hot water, lighting) and considers on-site energy generation and storage (e.g. solar panels, batteries).
- No Transitional Concessions: Unlike some other states, the ACT has not introduced exemptions or transitional arrangements. All new building approvals from 15 January 2024 must meet NCC 2022 requirements.
Additional Notes
- Multi-Unit Developments: Apartment buildings must achieve an average 7-star rating across all units, with no individual unit rated below 6 stars.
- Compliance Pathways: Builders can demonstrate compliance through Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions, Verification Methods, or Performance Solutions as outlined in the NCC.
For more information, visit the ACT Government Planning website or speak to an accredited NatHERS assessor.
What does an Energy Efficiency Report Cost?
The starting price for an Energy Efficiency Report on a class 1 dwelling is $180 + GST.
The price varies depending on the size, complexity and requirements of the project. We will compare the compliance pathways to produce a report that leads to the cheapest outcome.
We find most projects fall within the price range below:
Single Storey Dwellings: $180-$450 + GST
Double Storey Dwellings: $300-$600 + GST
Will my home have an efficient energy rating?
The most common way to measure the energy efficiency of a new home is using NatHERS software. An assessor will use the building plans to model the home in the energy rating software. The software will then generate a rating on a scale from 0 to 10 stars. In Australia, the current minimum standard is a 7 star energy rating.
- A 10 star home is a passive home that uses no energy for heating or cooling year round
- A 0 star home will provide no insulation from outdoor temperatures and will be uncomfortable
- A 7 star home indicates a good level of comfort and energy usage
How is the energy rating determined?
The calculations operate on a simulation engine developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
The rating of your home is dependent on the following factors:
- The local climate
- Layout and orientation of the home
- Roof, walls, floors and ceiling construction methods and insulation
- Overhead shading
- Shading from nearby buildings and structures
- Glazing type, positioning and size
The rating does not take into consideration appliances or renewable energy sources such as solar panels or batteries.
Minimum Requirements for Energy Efficiency Compliance
The nationwide house energy rating (NatHERS) is primarily used to determine the minimum energy requirements. Under the scheme your home will be modelled to predict the annual energy usage required to maintain thermal comfort. The results are shown as a star rating on a scale from 1-10. Depending on the credits you use, you will need to achieve 6.0 or 7.0 stars for compliance.
The NatHERS rating is based on the design and construction materials used in the building fabric. This includes:
- Insulation in floors, walls and ceilings
- Performance of glazing
- Sizes of windows and doors
- The layout of the home
- Shading from eaves or nearby shading such as fences and buildings.
It is important that the climate and design of the home will determine what type of insulation and glass is needed to meet the energy compliance requirements. To help reduce construction costs, consideration should be given to the climate.
Understanding which climate zone you are building in will ensure the dwelling is built to suit local climate conditions.
Canberra and the ACT fall within Climate Zones 6, 7, and 8 under the National Construction Code (NCC). These zones cover regions with mild temperate, cool temperate, and alpine conditions—meaning homes must perform well in cooler climates with cold winters and varied seasonal temperatures.
In some cases, the NCC2019 or NCC2022 elemental provisions can be used as an alternative to NatHERS. Our team of assessors are trained on all available pathways and can help you identify which pathway will give you the best possible outcome.
This image was sourced from the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Website, available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
Do I need an accredited Energy Efficiency Consultant?
It’s important to choose an accredited and certified assessor to carry out your energy efficiency assessments. Our team of assessors have extensive industry experience with a commitment to ongoing training and education.
Green Choice Consulting specialises in residential and commercial building developments. Our assessors provide expert advice on energy efficiency compliance with cost-effective solutions for owners, architects, builders and designers.
By consulting with us in the early design stages, we can help you save on build costs by identifying design weaknesses, and providing cost-effective solutions.
Why choose Green Choice Consulting?
- Accredited – We hold accreditation with Design Matters National and are subject to ongoing professional development.
- Accurate & Reliable – We are subjected to random Quality Audits to ensure a high standard of service.
- Endorsed Energy Reports – Only an accredited NatHERS assessor can complete an energy assessment using NatHERS software.
- Proven Cost Savings – We can identify design constraints and provide solutions which will lower your building costs.
