Energy efficient homes
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The recent National Construction Code, effective from May 1, mandates that all new homes in Australia must achieve a 7-star efficiency rating. This regulation ensures that homes use significantly less gas and electricity, saving you money on energy bills and reducing national emissions by up to 15 million tonnes per year.
In addition to energy efficiency, the new code introduces design features that enhance accessibility and livability. These upgrades are designed to benefit young families, individuals with disabilities or injuries, and the elderly, ensuring greater mobility and easier access without compromising on beauty or functionality.
At Homebuyers Centre, we are committed to delivering exceptional house and land packages and home designs that are perfectly suited to your lifestyle and budget in Melbourne, Victoria. Our homes are designed to make everyday living smoother and more enjoyable, with open living spaces that foster togetherness, bedrooms that serve as sanctuaries, and kitchens that are the heart of the home.
We pay attention to every detail, incorporating top-notch finishes, quality fixtures, and clever touches that make a significant difference. Sustainability is woven into each house design, ensuring that your new home is not just good for you, but also good for the planet.
Make an enquiry today to start your home-building journey with Homebuyers Centre, where you’re not just building a house; you’re crafting your future. We believe that’s a journey worth taking.
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See our energy efficient homes
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Frequently Asked Questions - NCC and 7-star updates
The Australian Building Codes Board in conjunction with the Victorian Government has announced an update to the National Construction Code, which will be implemented across the industry from May 1, 2024. These updates to the building code will address livable housing requirements, implement a Whole of Home rating, increase stringency on the thermal performance of homes (energy efficiency) and improve the industry standards to condensation management.
- Liveable Housing Design: Ensure Australian housing is adaptable to the changing needs of its occupants.
- 7-Star Energy Efficiency Ratings: Improve thermal performance of a home and the homeowner’s ability to maintain its temperature.
- Whole of Home: Reduce energy usage within the home and improve energy efficiency.
Homebuyers Centre’s home designs and design options will be updated to comply with the new Liveable Housing Design Guidelines. This includes stepless entry into new homes, wider doors, corridors and easier access to bathrooms.
Homebuyers Centre’s standard inclusions will be further enhanced to deliver a 7-star energy efficiency rating as opposed to 6-star, which is the current energy-efficiency requirement. New homes will feature products that will continue to improve its energy consumption such as double-glazed windows and solar power systems.
As these changes include adopting newer products with greater efficiency, it does mean our product range must incur a price increase to meet the new requirements.
While this will come at an additional cost initially, there are benefits for homeowners with reduced energy bills and greater ability to regulate a home’s temperature. The changes will also help the wider community aim towards reducing our carbon footprint.
No, the updates to the National Construction Code (NCC) do not impact the gas supply to your home. However, as part of the Victorian Government’s Gas Substitution Roadmap, new gas connections for new homes, apartment buildings, and residential subdivisions requiring planning permits are being phased out. This change started from January 1, 2024 but will largely impact established areas rather than new homes.
New homes being built in new communities (residential subdivisions) will rarely require homeowners to apply for a planning permit as this has already been obtained by your land developer as part of their process. New communities require a lengthy planning and approval process which can be between 2-4 years before a land developer begins selling land, which means the Gas Substitution Roadmap is unlikely to impact new homes in new communities for another few years.
Customers who are interested in upgrading their home to all-electric rather than gas will have the ability to do so with our all-electric packs.