Brisbane homeowners looking to make their new houses energy efficient have a financial advantage over the rest of the country.
An industry study has found the cost to upgrade new homes in the Queensland capital to achieve 7-star energy efficiency ratings was more than $1000 below the national average.
Australian Glass and Window Association CEO Clinton Skeoch said the new study revealed the average cost in Brisbane was $2972.
Mr Skeoch said that made it the most affordable of any large Australian city and well below the national average of $4311.
“By comparison, the average spend for new homeowners to reach 7-Star compliance across the country was $4105 in Western Sydney, $4262 in Perth, and $5905 in Melbourne.”
He said the cost estimates, which were based on 2024 building product prices and the least favourable house orientation scenarios, were also significantly lower than less-detailed industry projections previously circulated.
Mr Skeoch said the new report, compiled by specialist sustainable building consultancy Graham Energy, examined more than 50,000 Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) simulations to provide a better understanding of energy upgrade requirements for both the building industry and homeowners.
“The 2022 National Construction Code (NCC) requires that all new Australian houses and apartments meet a minimum energy efficiency rating of 7-stars under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme.”
He said the two most common building types in new home estates across major Australian cities formed the basis of analysis: Detached three-bedroom, single-storey dwellings and four-bedroom, double-storey homes.
A vast range of building scenarios and cost-influencing factors were examined across these building types, including:
- Nine different climates.
- 16 different orientations.
- 433 window options.
- High and low window-to-floor aspect ratios (WFAR) ranging from 28 percent down to 20 percent (noting a national average of 23 percent)
- Shading and overshadowing.
“This report makes it clear that achieving 7-Star energy compliance for new homes isn’t as costly or complicated as projected in previous public discussion, especially if you are building in Brisbane.
“With the right planning and advice, new homeowners can incorporate design features and material choices that make a big difference to their home’s rating outcome, without breaking the bank,” Mr Skeoch said.
