What is a NatHERS certificate?
A NatHERS or Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, provides important information about a building’s home energy rating. It considers the thermal performance of the building, meaning how well it operates without mechanical heating or cooling. NatHERS assigns homes a star rating out of 10 depending on the home’s estimated heating and cooling use. These star ratings are achieved by considering the home’s design, construction materials and the climate where it is being built. A home with better thermal performance is naturally more comfortable and requires less mechanical heating and cooling. Reducing the amount of energy you use and the cost of your energy bill.
The NatHERS assessment
A NatHERSaccredited assessor will review your house plans and use NatHERSaccredited software to model your home’s ability to naturally maintain a comfortable temperature year-round with a minimum requirement of energy consumption. Upon completion of the assessment, a NatHERS certificate will be issued. Displayed on the certificate will be the building’s star rating between zero and ten stars. The certificate will also display other key energy rating assessment data and modelling outcomes.
Why do you need star ratings?
Star ratings are used by homeowners, builders, certifiers, councils and local, state and national governments for a number of purposes. Some of these purposes include:
In order to meet mandatory energy efficiency requirements for your home or significant renovations. The certificate can be used as evidence to satisfy energy efficiency regulations.
It can advise homeowners, builders and architects on the energy efficiency of different house designs
And it can also advise those looking at buying a particular house on the thermal performance of the building, helping them make decisions when purchasing.
Improving the energy efficiency of your home
You don’t need to be building a new home to impact your home’s energy efficiency significantly. Here are some ways you can improve the energy efficiency report of your home.
Shading
Effective shading can block up to 90% of the summer heat. By keeping direct sunlight out of your home, your home will remain naturally cooler, reducing the need to use air conditioning. Curtains and blinds, however, will not keep the heat out of your home. Instead, they will have the opposite effect. The sun’s heat can pass through your window through your curtains and blinds. The heat enters the house and becomes trapped, increasing the temperatures inside.
Energy-efficient appliances
Simply upgrading your appliances can reduce your energy usage and save you money on your power bills. Look for the energy rating on your new appliances.
Rooftop solar
Installing rooftop solar allows you to utilize sun-generated energy to power your home and significantly improve your home’s energy efficiency. You can also invest in a battery storage system, meaning you can use solar power even when the sun isn’t shining. Installing solar will also give you significant savings on your electricity bill.
