Blog_7-star energy ratings and building your new home
There is now a 7-star energy rating system in place, but what does it mean for your new home?
When it comes to building your dream home, new rules have increased the minimum energy efficiency standards for new homes from 6 to 7-star ratings.
The new rating system has been introduced by the government to help you understand how energy efficient your home will be, making it cheaper to heat and cool, more comfortable to live in, and more resilient to extreme weather, which in turn will help reduce household power bills with little or no additional construction cost. The new requirements will now commence on 1 May 2024.
It involves the inclusion of fixed appliances like heating, cooling, hot water and lighting and being ready for the use of solar panels to harness sunshine for electricity and for charging electric vehicles. It will also demand climate-resistant features like better insulation, condensation mitigation, higher quality glazing and smarter floor plans.
Achieving a 7-star rating
A 7-star rating is split into three categories:
- Energy (1-5 stars) - measures how much energy you use in your home, based on its size, orientation and insulation value.
- Water (1-5 stars) - measures how much water is used in the kitchen and bathroom fittings, as well as how efficiently these appliances use water.
- Indoor Environment Quality (1-5 stars) - measures factors such as air quality, temperature control and ventilation.
To achieve a 7-star rating, your new home must meet the following requirements:
- Building materials
- Insulation levels
- Window types and sizes (including glazing)
- Heating and cooling systems (including air conditioning)
- Ventilation systems
- Lighting fixtures
- Hot water systems.
You can get up to six stars just by using high quality materials and appliances in your new home, and investing in solar panels or upgraded insulation will give you an extra star.
Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative source of power because they provide clean electricity and they're also easy to install! The government has incentives available for homeowners who want to install solar panels on their homes; these incentives include grants and tax deductions that can help offset some costs associated with purchasing equipment needed for this type of project (such as batteries).
The Benefits of 7-star energy ratings
The benefits of 7-star energy ratings include:
- Lower energy bills - By using less power, it will cost less money to run your appliances and devices. This means that over time, the amount of money invested into purchasing electricity will be significantly reduced compared with what would have been spent if no changes were made at all!
- Improved comfort - The temperature inside each room will remain consistent throughout winter months without needing additional heating systems such as air conditioners or fans running constantly throughout those same seasons (which can get expensive). Instead of feeling cold when stepping outside into chilly conditions during autumns/winters; homeowners who live in homes built under these standards should find themselves comfortable inside regardless of how hot or cold outside may get because their houses' insulation keeps out unwanted temperatures while still being able to keep warm air inside during colder months too.
With many new homeowners looking to reduce their spending and costs, 7-star homes are predicted to be in far more demand than lower-star rated homes costing more to run, meaning buyers will be willing to pay a premium for good energy efficient homes.
Your builder will be able to step you through all the details and requirements for your new home. The benefits of incorporating these new changes into your home will not only help you save money on energy bills, but a 7-star efficient home will contribute towards making our planet a better place to live now, and for future generations.