The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) conducted a consultation into the expansion of the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) to existing homes.
NatHERS currently measures the energy efficiency of new residential buildings based on a set of criteria to produce an overall energy rating for the home’s thermal shell — its walls, roof and floor.
NatHERS was introduced for new buildings in 1993.
The Australian Government is now proposing to expand NatHERS to existing homes, leveraging recent updates to NatHERS to measure ‘Whole of Home’ performance including appliances and on-site energy generation and storage.
At the same time, DCCEEW is conducting consultation into a national framework for energy efficiency rating disclosure at point of sale or lease.
As part of the framework, NatHERS has been chosen to underpin the energy assessment of single dwellings and apartments.
DCCEEW will administer NatHERS for existing homes, while states and territories will have primary responsibility for implementing disclosure schemes.
Climateworks welcomes DCCEEW’s proposal to expand NatHERS to existing homes.
Understanding the energy usage of homes is a key first step towards improving the energy performance of Australia’s residential building stock.
Combined with mandatory disclosure at point of sale or lease, this information can help buyers and tenants make informed decisions.
Submission Summary
Climateworks recommends:
- implementing the proposed NatHERS expansion to existing homes as rapidly as is practical, as it is key to making Australia’s existing housing stock more efficient
- consulting with all levels of government to ensure aligned expectations/support for all jurisdictions to adopt the scheme for all homes
- embedding a ‘zero carbon home’ definition within the NatHERS rating system and upgrade guidance. Climateworks has a comprehensive definition that can be used.
- including both thermal ratings and whole-of-home ratings in the NatHERS certificate design
- distinguishing between the use of gas and electric appliances in the Whole of Home rating and upgrade advice
- including a full suite of home upgrade options as part of guidance provided by assessors or on the certificate itself, based on robust analysis of home energy performance such as Climateworks’ Renovation Pathways.