With the increased worldwide focus on climate change, energy saving and environmental sustainability of houses have become imperative. In Australia, these building performance improvement programs include the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (usually known as NatHERS) and the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (commonly called NABERS).
Traditionally, the NatHERS certificate has been closely linked to the assessment of the energy efficiency of new homes. However, new changes are being made that extend to the energy efficiency assessments of existing homes, expanding the horizon for homeowners.
Understanding NatHERS and Its Expansion to Existing Homes
NatHERS is a government-backed project that aims to determine whether Australian homes are thermally comfortable.
- It uses an easy star rating system to reflect on how well a building is able to remain warm or cool without excessive use of heating and cooling systems.
- The rating goes from zero for a poorly performing home to ten for a home with excellent thermal insulation.
- On the other hand, the NatHERS assessment has most often been used for new homes during the design and construction processes.
- However, the extension of this program to cover existing homes is a significant initiative that brings energy efficiency improvement to the entire housing industry.
For the current property owners, a NatHERS Certificate serves as an assessment of their current property and aids in recognising the areas that can be enhanced. It assists the property owner with upgrading insulation, repairing air leaks or getting better ventilation systems. These changes help limit energy consumption, further reducing costs and carbon emissions.
The Process of NatHERS Assessment for Existing Homes
The extension of NatHERS to existing homes involves a detailed assessment conducted by accredited assessors. Unlike new homes, where designs are evaluated digitally, existing homes require an on-site inspection to evaluate their construction, materials, and orientation. Key elements assessed include:
- Building Envelope: Building envelopes consist of the building’s insulators, such as walls, floors, roofs, and windows.
- Ventilation: Natural airflow and its impact on indoor comfort are measured.
- Thermal mass: Evaluating the efficiency of the materials used in the construction of a building and their ability to absorb and release heat.
After the evaluation, a NatHERS certificate is presented to the homeowner, which displays the star ratings alongside the assessment report, giving specific areas of improvement to focus on. The holder of the certificate can then use the proposed upgrades to increase comfort levels while optimising energy efficiency.
NatHERS for existing homes is similar to the NABERS rating for offices and other commercial buildings.
Benefits of Expanding NatHERS Certificate to Existing Homes
NatHERS, in its current form, offers several advantages to the community, environment, and homeowners, and it can offer even more with its expansion to India’s existing real estate sector. Here are a few of them:
- Energy Cost Reduction: The enhanced thermal efficiency reduces the amount of energy required, thereby leading to lower energy costs.
- Increased Property Sale Price: Property with great energy ratings are usually valued higher in the market and can be sold to premium customers who care about the environment.
- Climate Targets: Making homes energy efficient will lead to fewer CO2 emissions and help us meet our local and global climate targets.
- Safer Homes: Better insulation and ventilation will help improve the quality of indoor air, making it less likely for people to suffer from diseases due to a damp or mouldy environment.
Complementary Programs: NABERS Ratings
NatHERS, thermal performance is limited to the residential sector, whereas NABERS looks at the use and the environmental impact of commercial buildings in terms of energy, water and waste management.
For the homeowner and the property manager, it is especially important to know of the NABERS Water Ratings. This evaluation tells the water efficiency of the property, offering water and cost-saving measures.
Together, these programs present a robust structure for improving the environmental performance of Australian houses.
Steps for Homeowners to Get Started
Let’s say you have an existing house, but you are equally interested in boosting its energy performance. Here is how you get started:
Engage an Accredited Assessor
Connect with a professional who has been trained in NatHERS Assessment for existing homes. These experts will carry out the site inspection and obtain your NatHERS Certificate.
Review Recommendations
Use the certificate’s insights to identify areas for further work. Concentrate on upgrades that have the most value or potential, like insulating the building’s shell, replacing windows or installing shading devices.
Implement Upgrades
Engage certified contractors to make the changes that are recommended in the NatHERS assessment. Some states and territories may provide rebates or incentives for energy performance upgrading.
Monitor Performance
After the changes have been made, it would be worth getting the assessment done again after sometime in order to see if the modifications have delivered the desired results..
Policy Implications and Future Directions
The National House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) program is expected to be rolled out to existing homes and aspiring homeowners as part of the Australian Government’s initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change through sustainable living practices.
It seems likely that in the future NatHERS ratings will be required for a greater number of transactions involving properties, leases, or sale of properties, and planning of urban areas.
Additionally, integrating NatHERS and NABERS rating tools into digital platforms could streamline assessments and make it easier for homeowners to access their ratings. Such innovations would further incentivize participation and drive widespread adoption.
Conclusion
For Australia’s housing market, the rollout of NatHERS for existing homes is a revolution. It allows the benefits of energy assessments to be brought to older properties, allowing homeowners to cut down on energy expenditures, improve comfort, and support the drive toward sustainability. Coupled with other initiatives like NABERS Water Ratings, NatHERS sets the stage for significant environmental benefits across the country.
For homeowners ready to take the next step, engaging an accredited assessor is the starting point. With the right information and commitment, making a home more energy efficient isn’t merely a dream but a feasible outcome.
Building consultants from Eco Certificates can help you with both NABERS and NatHERS assessments.