Are New Homes More Energy Efficient?
5th November 2024
Let’s take a look at what makes some homes more energy efficient and whether the new house on the block is more sustainable than the others.
Have you ever visited a relative or friend who still lives in their 1920s weatherboard house and noticed they have to stand right by the heater to stay warm? Or perhaps you’re frustrated with how hard it is to keep your 1980s home cool during a summer heatwave. In many cases, older homes trap the heat in summer and lose precious warmth in winter. In other words, they are usually energy inefficient.
New homes, on the other hand, must comply with rigorous standards around energy efficiency. Builders and architects today know how to design houses using smart orientation and materials to create comfortable homes that don’t cost the earth to heat and cool. In this article, we’ll explore what makes some houses more energy efficient than others, focusing on how modern homes stack up against older ones. Plus, we’ll give you tips on how to make your home more energy efficient, whether it’s a new build or an older home.
What is an energy efficient home?
Energy efficient homes use less energy to run things like heating, cooling, lighting and appliances – thanks to thoughtful design and construction. The appliances you choose will also impact your home’s energy efficiency - opting for appliances with a higher energy star rating typically means lower energy consumption and better overall efficiency.
Given that heating and cooling are one of the main energy consumers in most houses, these are the key areas to focus on when it comes to energy efficiency. A well-designed home, for example, will require a lot less air conditioning over summer and heating during winter – which is great for both the environment and your wallet.
Houses get star ratings, too!
Designing an energy efficient home is the key to reducing energy consumption and lowering your utility bills over time. Just like fridges and washing machines come with Energy Rating Labels to show their efficiency, homes today are rated using a star system as well. And these star ratings tell a very positive story about how homes around Australia are becoming more and more energy efficient.
According to the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), which rates a house’s heating and cooling efficiency out of 10 stars, the average home built in 1990 just scraped by with one star. To maintain a comfortable temperature, these houses would likely have been huge energy guzzlers.
Before 2003, when the government introduced energy efficiency regulations, the average home was about 1.8 stars. Today, every new home must attain at least seven stars; with some achieving even higher ratings with a few simple upgrades. So, how can you make your home more energy efficient?
Not a customer? Join Red Energy today.
Energy saving features in new homes
If you’re planning a build or renovation, there are many ways to make your home more energy efficient and save on heating and cooling costs in the long term. These are important points to discuss with your builder or architect to ensure you’re maximising energy efficiency.
An energy efficient new home construction will include things like:
- North facing living areas: Positioning living spaces to capture more sunlight in winter can reduce reliance on artificial heating.
- Internal doors for zoning: Installing internal doors to separate areas that don’t need heating or cooling allows for more efficient temperature control.
- Thermal mass: Incorporating materials like concrete or brick can absorb and store heat, stabilising indoor temperatures.
- Insulation: Proper insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors helps minimise heat transfer and improves energy efficiency.
- Draught-proofing: Sealing gaps and cracks prevents cold air infiltration and heat loss, reducing the need for heating.
- Double glazing or thick curtains: Enhancing window insulation minimises heat transfer, improving energy efficiency.
- Energy efficient heating and cooling appliances: Choosing appliances with high energy efficiency ratings reduces energy consumption and costs.
Many of these features can be retrofitted to your existing home to upgrade its energy efficiency, too.
Each state and territory has specific regulations around energy efficiency. Talk to a local building assessor about how to make sure your plans comply. You can also apply for a NatHERS star rating to see for yourself just how efficient your new home will be.
How to make an old home more energy efficient
If you’re living in an older home and looking to boost its energy efficiency, there are several steps you can take to make a meaningful difference:
- Upgrade Insulation: One of the most effective ways to improve energy efficiency in older homes is by adding insulation. This can include insulating the attic, walls, and floors to better retain heat in the winter and keep it out during the summer.
- Seal gaps and cracks: Older homes often have gaps and cracks around windows, doors, and other openings that allow heated or cooled air to escape. Sealing these gaps with caulking or weatherstripping can help prevent energy loss and improve comfort.
- Upgrade windows: While replacing windows entirely can be costly, installing storm windows or adding window films can improve energy efficiency by reducing heat transfer.
- Install energy-efficient appliances: Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can significantly reduce energy consumption in older homes. Look for appliances with high Energy Star ratings to ensure optimal efficiency.
- Upgrade heating and cooling systems: Older heating and cooling systems may be less efficient than modern models. Consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient furnace, boiler, or air conditioning unit to lower energy usage and improve comfort.
- Use energy-efficient lighting: Using LED or CFL bulbs will reduce electricity consumption for lighting.
- Consider renewable energy: Installing solar panels or a solar water heater can further reduce reliance on traditional energy sources and lower utility bills over time.
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly improve the energy efficiency of your older home, leading to lower energy bills and a more comfortable living environment.
The final word
It’s an exciting time to build or renovate a home. With energy efficiency a mandatory consideration these days,new homes are highly likely to outperform older homes when it comes to heating and cooling efficiency.
However, even if you’re not planning a new build, there are still plenty of ways to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes. Simple upgrades like improving insulation, sealing gaps and cracks, and upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can make a significant difference in reducing energy consumption and lowering utility bills. So whether you’re starting from scratch or improving what you already have, prioritising energy efficiency is a smart investment for both your wallet and the environment.
Join Red today
We’ve been powering what matters to Australians since 2004. Switch or move with Red today.
References
- https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/energy-efficiency-and-reducing-emissions/building-or-renovating
- http://www.npsp.sa.gov.au/our_environment/energy_management/building_an_energy_efficient_home
- https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/Articles/2021/September/its-in-the-stars-how-scientists-figure-out-your-homes-energy-rating
- https://www.energyrating.gov.au/consumer-information/products/heating-and-cooling
- https://www.nathers.gov.au/owners-and-builders/home-energy-star-ratings
-
About Red Energy
Red Energy is 100% owned by Snowy Hydro Limited, who own, manage, and maintain the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme in New South Wales. Our Customer Solutions team is 100% based in Australia.