7-star housing is a step towards zero carbon – but there’s much more to do, starting with existing homes
September 19, 2022
Gill Armstrong, Climateworks Centre; Alan Pears, RMIT University; Margot Delafoulhouze, Climateworks Centre, and Trivess Moore, RMIT University Energy-efficiency standards for new homes in Australia are being upgraded for the first time in a decade. New homes will be required to improve minimum performance from 6 stars to 7 stars under the Nationwide House Energy Rating […]
Will 7-star housing really cost more? It depends, but you can keep costs down in a few simple ways
September 16, 2022
Trivess Moore, RMIT University and Nicola Willand, RMIT University The required energy-efficiency rating of new housing in Australia will increase from 6 to 7 stars from October next year. Some claim this will greatly increase housing costs. But is this true? Costs for new home owners are the sum of three things: capital costs to […]
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July 19, 2022
By Melissa James Households consume 10.5% of all the energy consumed within Australia . Of this, 40% is used for heating and cooling . Reducing household heating and cooling energy consumption has multiple benefits: reduced energy bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; increased network reliability; and increased householder comfort and health. One way to reduce heating […]
In an energy crisis, every watt counts. So yes, turning off your dishwasher can make a difference
June 22, 2022
Anna Malos, Monash University and Emi Minghui Gui, Monash University Australia’s east coast energy market has been on a rocky road for the past few weeks. It begs the question: how could the market change to avoid the next crisis? To date, discussion has largely focused on the need to generate more energy. But there’s […]
Keen to retrofit your home to lower its carbon footprint and save energy? Consider these 3 things
June 17, 2022
Nimish Biloria, University of Technology Sydney If you’re anything like me, you’re increasingly working from home, one that was built before energy efficiency measures were introduced in Australia. With temperatures along the east coast plunging and power bills skyrocketing, heating (and cooling) our homes is an energy intensive, expensive affair. Almost 8 million homes across […]
Analysis of 5,500 apartment developments reveals your new home may not be as energy efficient as you think
May 12, 2022
Michael Ambrose, CSIRO Apartment living is booming in Australia. Many people choose apartments for their good energy efficiency, which reduces the need for heating and cooling and leads to lower power bills. But not every apartment is as energy efficient as the development advertises. All proposed new dwellings, including apartments, require an energy rating certificate. […]
Tents to Castles: Building energy efficient, cost saving Aussie homes
April 21, 2022
The Climate Council’s new report Tents to Castles: Building energy efficient, cost saving Aussie homes has found living in a 7-Star, all-electric house in any capital city in Australia would save occupants on average $450 per year on heating and cooling costs compared to the current building standard of 6-Stars. Low energy efficiency standards have […]
One million energy rating certificates on Australian Housing Data portal
December 1, 2021
By Kate Cranney The Australian Housing Data portal has now collected one million energy rating certificates from Australian homes, giving researchers, regulators, and industry associations an unprecedented snapshot of the energy efficiency of the nation’s housing stock. How do we know whether new homes in Australia are becoming more energy efficient? Every new home in […]
Updated Your Home guide now available
November 12, 2021
The latest edition of Your Home – Australia’s guide to environmentally sustainable homes – is out now! Your Home is Australia’s most comprehensive guide on how to achieve a more energy efficient and comfortable home with lower energy bills. Your Home is the result of a 20-year partnership between the Australian Government and the building, […]
COP26: cities create over 70% of energy-related emissions. Here’s what must change
November 12, 2021
Anna Hurlimann, The University of Melbourne; Georgia Warren-Myers, The University of Melbourne, and Judy Bush, The University of Melbourne Cities are responsible for 71-76% of energy-related CO₂ emissions. Today, the United Nations climate summit in Glasgow will convene to discuss this urgent global problem. Carbon emissions in cities are generated through activities including the construction […]