With the introduction of the new NCC in 2022 a new section pertaining to improving residential energy efficiency standards in houses was included by the Queensland government beginning on the 1st of May 2024.
The implemented changes aim to improve the energy efficiency of new houses and extensions by making buildings more comfortable, increase savings on energy bills and reduce the reliance of power-hungry heating and cooling appliances. Houses in Queensland are now required to meet a 7-star energy rating.
Building designer and draftspersons can use a range of methods to achieve the 7-star rating when it comes to designing the new houses or major extensions. These include orientating the living areas to face north, minimising east and west facing windows, shading of walls with roof eaves, insulating walls and roof spaces, tinted or double-glazed windows as well as using ceiling fans and lighter coloured wall materials.
With early planning and good design ideas at the beginning of the project, minimising the build costs to meet the 7-star rating is more than achievable.