Energy Efficiency Ratings

Households account for about 20% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Much of this is from energy use in the home. Energy use in the average Australian home produces about 8 tonnes of CO2 each year. Heating and cooling uses the most household energy, making up about 40% of total energy use. In other words, the heating and cooling of the average Australian home produces about 3.2 tonnes of CO2 per year. Much of this can be reduced through more efficient use of energy in our homes.

Australian state and federal governments are concerned with the amount of greenhouse gases produced from the burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation. To reduce household energy use in heating and cooling, state governments have introduced minimum construction requirements represented in the Building Code of Australia (BCA). These are regulated at the building approval stage of constructing a new home. The local council requires evidence that the building design complies with energy efficiency regulations, before a residential building can be approved.

At Therma Rate, we are qualified in both of the methods that can be used to meet these minimum requirements:

1. Using the Deem to Satisfy method according to BCA Volume 2 part 3.11 using the Glazing Calculator, Air Movement Data Sheet and Compliance Report for Class 1 & 10a residential buildings.
2. Obtaining a Five Star House Energy Rating according to BCA Volume 2 part V2.6.2 using approved software tools.

At Therma Rate, we assess residential building plans for architects, designers, builders, local shires and homeowners. We will consult with you to help you achieve the required (or the desired) energy rating outcome. We are ABSA accredited (Assessor Number 60350), fully insured and our reports comply with government, BCA and local council regulations. Therma Rate is able to perform ratings in all states of Australia.

At Therma Rate we understand and embrace the need for environmentally responsible housing.

Energy efficiency is not just a requirement set out in the BCA. Having an energy efficient home has many benefits:

• An energy efficient home requires less heating and/or cooling and therefore saves money on electricity bills (a 10 star home requires no heating or cooling at all).
• The reduced amount of electricity used significantly reduces the carbon dioxide emissions of the home (heating/cooling makes up approximately 40% of an average home’s power consumption) [Australian Greenhouse Office 1999].
• As climate change and sustainability becomes more of an issue, an energy efficient home becomes significantly more valuable than similar inefficient homes. Therefore, having an energy efficient home increases its re-sale value.