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Spring into Global Consciousness with
5 Star Energy Ratings
See also Living Colour Studio’s 5 Star Ratings FAQ
and our 5 Star Tips for Good Design
Global Consciousness
The Victorian Government’s new 5 Star Energy Ratings mean we have come of age regarding our individual responsibility for the planet. Good design is no longer opinion, it’s common sense. The average energy efficiency rating of houses in Victoria is currently only 2 stars. Considering our current and future energy and water needs, it’s clearly not good enough.
With a few simple design and construction changes, plus the use of special water and energy saving features, we can make our new houses and apartments 50% more energy efficient while heating and cooling, and reduce water consumption by up to 25%. That’s what the 5 Star standard is all about. Water will be saved by recycling and using rainwater tanks. Better heating and cooling will be achieved through the building fabric, insulation, double glazing and solar hot water systems.
Benefits of a 5 Star House
Better comfort.
A 5 Star house will be up to five degrees warmer in winter and as much as 10 degrees cooler in summer, depending on construction materials and design.
Better value.
Living in a 5 Star house could save households up to $210 on energy bills and $50 on water bills every year, on average. If you have central heating and air conditioning, a large house, or if your house is heated and cooled during the day, your savings could be even greater.
A better place to live.
A 5 Star house will help create a cleaner, healthier environment. You’ll save water and use less energy – and reduce greenhouse gas pollution by up to 5 tonnes every year. This will help make Victoria a better place for us all to live in.
What makes a 5 Star House?
A new house must achieve a 5 Star level of energy efficiency. For any house type there will always be several different ways to achieve the 5 Star rating. Features such as house orientation, internal design, building materials, shading of windows, insulation, glazing, as well as water saving fixtures are all taken into account. However, there is a great deal of flexibility and trade-offs can be made between different elements to achieve the end result. For example a 5 Star house may also have other features such as a solar hot water system or a rainwater tank
Accredited computer programs are used to assess the impact of the combined effect of these different factors on the energy efficiency of the house. The software programs – FirstRate and NatHERS – also make it easy to measure different strategies for meeting the 5 Star standard.
5 Star Energy Ratings FAQ
When will the 5 Star standard be introduced?
The new standard was introduced in July 2004 and now all new homes are required to meet the new 5 Star standard. There is a 12 month transitional period that allows builders additional flexibility in the way they achieve 5 Star.
Is the 5 Star standard compulsory for renovations, alterations or extensions?
The 5 Star standard requirement applies to new houses and apartments, where the building permit is issued on or after 1 July 2004. If you are planning a renovation or extension to an existing building, it would be wise to include energy efficient water saving features to reduce energy and water use, but it isn’t compulsory to meet the 5 Star standard.
How can I get my house design rated?
Contact the Sustainable Energy Authority on 1300 363 744 or visit www.seav.vic.gov.au to find a list of accredited house energy raters, and for more information on the energy rating software.
Do the 5 Star standard’s water requirements apply to houses that don’t have access to a reticulated water supply – such as regional properties that use their own water supply?
Water saving fixtures (water efficient taps, shower heads, etc) won’t be required for properties not connected to a reticulated (mains) water supply. Contact the Plumbing Industry Commission.
Can a house achieve a higher energy efficiency rating than 5 Star?
If you wish to, you can achieve a house energy rating beyond the 5 Star standard. The energy rating software FirstRate can rate residential buildings up to 6 stars. This can be typically achieved by using higher levels of insulation and high performance window products.
How will the 5 Star Rating be implemented?
From 1 July 2004, when you obtain a building permit your building surveyor will check the design documentation for compliance with the 5 Star standard.
For the first 12 months after 1 July 2004, there will be a transition period where extra flexibility will be allowed. To achieve the 5 Star standard during this period your new house will need either of the following:
- A 5 Star energy rating for the building fabric (walls, floors, ceilings, windows, air leakage points, glazing and other features); or
- A 4 Star energy rating for the building fabric, plus either a solar hot water system or a rainwater tank for toilet flushing.
From July 2005, all new homes will need a 5 Star energy rating for building fabric and water saving fixtures with either a solar hot water system or a rainwater tank for toilet flushing.
More Information
For more specific information on the 5 Star rating go to the Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria web sites: www.seav.vic.gov.au or www.5starhouse.vic.gov.au
These sites were the source for the information presented in this article.
Living Colour Studio’s
5 Star Tips for Good Design
for planning your renovation, new house or development
Good design is common sense for personal well being:
- Prioritise the elements necessary for your well being
- What do I need for my personal well being, space, colours texture, smells?
- Function of rooms
- What spaces do I need to live? (inside and outside...)
- Furniture requirements
- What furniture is needed in the room?
- What old furnitured do I discard?
- What new furniture do I need?
- Reducing furniture may reduce the space you need (saves money & energy)
- Cost of building
- Put the money into the spaces you spend most time in
- Small, efficient bathrooms, laundry and kitchen can save space and money
- Do you really need a large space, or the sense of a large space?
- How large do these spaces really need to be?
- Running costs
- Reduce running costs by implementing more than the 5 Star rating requirements:
- Orientation of the living rooms to the north
- Water saving devices
- Recycling water
- Solar hot water and heating systems
- Good ventilation for catching natural air flows
For an obligation-free discussion of your needs, please contact us.
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