In Victoria and Queensland energy efficiency changes for the building of new dwellings (and major renovations) commenced 1 May 2024.

These changes were introduced in the National Construction Code 2022 last year, and are not being adopted uniformly around Australia. The ACT and NSW were the first to introduce the changes, and SA and WA will introduce them in October 2024 and May 2025 respectively.

The changes require an increased thermal performance for houses (also known as ‘7 stars’). In Queensland, until now there was an ability to obtain a star ‘credit’ for PV systems. This is no longer the case, due to the introduction of a ‘Whole of Home’ requirement for a dwelling’s annual energy usage budget.

The Whole of Home requirements assess (via a NatHERS software tool or ABCB calculator) the energy use of the home’s fixed appliances, including heating and cooling, water heating, swimming pool and spa pumps. The software tool also assesses lighting and cooking appliances.

The assessment allows PV systems to be calculated as an offset to the energy use (and not to the thermal performance). Solar and energy efficient electrical appliances should achieve the best rating.

The 7 stars and Whole of Home assessments will be required for building approval, and it is important to note any changes from the assessed design may require a re-assessment of the Whole of Home rating.

MEA recommends confirming with the builder there will be no impacts on the NCC energy efficiency assessments before installing any customer-requested changes to the designed electrical plan or specified appliances for new homes or major renovations.

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