Where are Perth’s most energy-hungry suburbs?

New analysis reveals a typical home built in 2010 or later is twice as energy efficient compared to homes built before 2010.

The analysis, part of the CoreLogic report Amped Up: How energy efficient are Australian homes, showed homes built after 2010 achieved an estimated median star rating of 5.9 out of 10, compared with a median of just 2.8 stars for older homes.

Perth’s new homes had a median rating of 6 stars, but older homes were rated at 2.4 stars. The 20 best-performing suburbs in Perth were concentrated in regions with new housing estates and led by Dayton, Kwinana and Ravenswood (6.2) and followed by Brabham, Treeby and Alkimos (6.1).

None of the suburbs listed in the table were located in the wealthy western suburbs and all – bar North Coogee – have a median house value of less than $1 million.

The worst suburbs for energy efficiency were all located in the Perth Hills, with Sawyers Valley, Lesmurdie, Gooseberry Hill, Glen Forrest and Darlington scoring an abysmal 2 stars.

Sydney and Hobart were notably absent from the national top 30 list of SA3 areas with the most energy-efficient homes. The ACT was overrepresented, while for WA Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Armadale, Kwinana, Wanneroo and the West Pilbara were in the top 30.

The ratings were decided using CSIRO’s RapidRate AI model, which considered the type of property, floor area, amount of wall and window space, which direction the house or townhouse faced, insulation and materials used to construct the building.

The federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has estimated residential buildings are responsible for around 24 per cent of Australian energy usage.

CoreLogic head of banking and finance solutions Tom Coad said the report’s findings demonstrated the importance of minimum standards in the National Construction Code if Australia wants to meet its Paris Agreement target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent (from 2005) levels by 2030 and to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

“The significant difference in energy efficiency between relatively modern homes and older homes can largely be attributed to changes in the National Construction Code, which has progressively placed more emphasis on energy efficiency requirements for newly built homes,” he said.

“The Coalition’s recent push to pause the national construction code for 10 years flies in the face of Australia’s commitments to reduce carbon emissions.

“Policymakers should be incentivising the construction of energy-efficient buildings, not slamming the brakes.”

CoreLogic research director Tim Lawless said what got measured got done, and there would be an increasing focus in the future on increasing the energy efficiency of homes to ease the burden of high-energy costs and meet emission reduction targets.

“Minimum energy efficiency standards for new builds will continue to be important in supporting Australia’s greenhouse gas reduction targets, but there is likely to be increasing focus and incentives on established housing where most of Australia’s housing stock was built prior to recent minimum standards,” he said.

The most energy-efficient homes are located in Perth’s booming housing estates. Credit: Henry Zwartz

“Many European countries are well advanced in their data collection and analysis of energy efficiency data, with the European Union mandating an Energy Performance Certificate must be obtained when homes are built, sold or rented. This is also the case in the United Kingdom and some Scandinavian countries.”

Following the release of 2024 State of the Climate Report the Australian Institute of Architects called for urgent action to reduce emissions and improve the resilience of Australia’s built environment.

The report, released by CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology, warns of escalating risks from heatwaves, storms, and rising sea levels, despite a decline in emissions over the past 15 years.

Institute president Jane Cassidy called for stronger building regulations, green government procurement, and investment in skills and tools to support sustainable outcomes.

“Buildings designed for durability and resilience, and that reduce reliance on gas for heating, hot water, and cooking, are critical to reducing emissions and improving community safety — these buildings also offer resilience to extreme weather and improve health and wellbeing,” she said.

Cassidy said adaptive reuse – where old buildings were reused and modified for another purpose – was equally vital, reducing waste and keeping carbon stored in existing buildings.

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