How new home buyers could save $450 on bills/year

As regional towns sprawl outwards, one simple change could save home buyers money and protect the environment, experts say.

Clint Hare.

As regional Victorian towns sprawl outwards, advocacy groups say it is time State and Territory Governments updated their 11-year old laws on energy efficiency standards in new home builds.

In a report released on Thursday, the Climate Council said Australians could save an average of $450 on heating and cooling costs each year if energy efficiency standards were upgraded to a minimum of 7 Stars from their current 6 Star rating.

Developer Clint Hare, who is behind a 232-property eco development called The Cape in Victoria’s Gippsland region, said building more energy efficient houses was easily achievable and affordable using “mainstream materials”.

“The cost per square metre is very similar, if not the same to building a six star house or house in any other state with the same materials,” Mr Hare said.

“The last check we did, the average price to go from six to eight stars at a house in our estate was around $8,000. You’ve got a pay back period, with reduced energy bills, of around two to three years.

“That’s pretty compelling for most people. It’s a very good financial investment.”

Mr Hare called on State and Territory Governments to upgrade their standards on energy efficiency.

“Regulatory bodies need to lead where they can (on energy efficiency),” he said.

“Builders, designers and customers are increasingly aware of the benefits of having a 7.5 or 8-star rated home.

According to the Climate Council, upgrading energy efficiency standards would save Victoria 72,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year – equivalent to the combined emissions offsets of several of Victoria’s biggest carbon farming projects.

Australia-wide, the council estimates Australians would reduce their emissions by 200,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.

The Property Council of Australia has backed the call to upgrade energy efficiency standards, but Australia’s Housing Industry Association has taken a cautious approach, saying changing the standards would add to the cost of new homes.

State and Territory Ministers are expected to meet in July to review minimum energy efficiency standards in new home builds.