Changes to the way you can build your new home

A raft of new rules are set to change the way new homes can be built from next year. And the move is expected to slash owners’ power bills.

New homes built in Victoria from next year are set to require 7-star energy efficiency standards in a move that could slash owners’ power bills by up to 30 per cent.

Research has revealed that despite some extra costs during construction, owners of highly efficient homes can reap an 11 per cent return on their investments.

Construction companies and experts say the keys to meeting the new standards – likely to be implemented under a national code in September – would be the position of properties on blocks, insulation quality, and modern appliances.

And the Andrews Government is now backing 8-star standards for newly constructed homes within five years, based on advice from Infrastructure Victoria.

The latest 30-year strategy released by Infrastructure Victoria found that achieving a “7-star NatHERS rating through smart design does not add significantly to construction costs”.

“It can reduce energy bills by 30 per cent and each 1.0 star improvement may add around $9000 to the value of the home”.

Sustainability Victoria is now running a 7-star home program ahead of construction code changes, providing training for builders and rebates to help with costs.

Chief executive Claire Ferres Miles said efficient properties were “the future of homes”.

“Builders are proving that energy-efficient homes can be designed and constructed using existing materials and technologies at an affordable price,” she said.

Ahmad Kassab from VCon Homes and John Konstantakopoulos from Efficiency Matrix testing the air tightness at a 7-star home in Craigieburn. Picture: Rebecca Michael

As part of the verification process, giant fans are installed at the doorways of properties to test for air leakage that can deflate efficiency and add to a home’s running costs.

Pre-construction manager at G-LUX Builders, Spiros Chasiotis, said using “sustainable materials does not always have to be more expensive”.

He said some of the hi-tech methods used by the company include special ventilation systems.
“Our homes are wrapped in an airtightness membrane that prevents air leakage,” he said.

“Demand for energy-efficient homes only seems to be increasing, which may be attributed to a better awareness of environmental impacts through greater coverage of the global issues surrounding climate change and rising energy prices prompting clients to seek alternatives.”

Operations manager at VCON Homes, Ahmad Kassab, said differences between a 7-star home and a 6-star home were not complex but made a big difference to residents.

A camera is used to detect whether there is an air leak in the home. Picture: Rebecca Michael

“A great example is our 7.2-star Craigeburn home, it wasn’t much of a change at all. We focused on optimising orientation, increasing the thickness of insulation, draught sealing around windows and doors and double-glazing windows.”

Infrastructure Victoria acting chief executive Jonathan Spear said there were clear benefits to consumers but also a broader benefit of reducing stress on the electricity grid by reducing the need for costly network upgrades.

“They are slightly more expensive to build, but over the life of the build you well and truly make that back,” he said.

“The earlier you do it (enforce standards) the greater the pay off, both for the individual and as a society.”

Lachy Haynes, who is a partner at PwC specialising in integrated infrastructure and environment, said new technologies were emerging to help boost efficiency of homes while easing stress on the grid and creating jobs.
“New technology and the potential for new supply chain opportunities can create employment by way of numbers and new industries,” he said.