Today all new homes require a minimum of 6 stars under the Building Code of Australia. A building permit will not be given unless you can demonstrate this energy rating and NatHERS is one of the methods accepted by local councils and government.

Note: Floyd Energy® expects this minimum rating to increase in the near future.

Sometimes recommendations are a cost-effective amendment of building materials, such as flooring construction or incorporating extra shading. Sometimes recommendations are more considered, such as building orientation, higher quality glazing or even changing window placement.

But it’s important to remember recommendations from experienced and qualified energy raters will save money for the life of the building and increase its overall value, let alone deliver wellness and lower our carbon footprint.

Whilst the current 6 star standard is used across most of Australia, NatHERS software can rate a design up to 10 star home energy rating that, in theory, is comfortable for the occupier throughout all seasons, and does not require artificial heating or cooling.

It is, however, important to acknowledge while heating and cooling are a household’s largest energy costs, NatHERS energy rating does not account for water heating, appliances, lighting or water efficiency.

Your home’s star rating is determined by the following factors assessed by the NatHERS program:

• Home’s layout
• Windows, floor, walls and roof construction and materials
• Windows’ orientation and shading to the sun and local breezes
• How all of above suit your specific local climate

NatHERS is a specialist software program that simulates your home’s thermal performance according to design and/or building plan.

Thermal Performance Assessors requires a mandatory Certificate IV in NatHERS Assessment to conduct a rating, but at Floyd Energy® all our team are members of Design Matters and have building industry experience that allows us to deliver a report that looks beyond the software numbers.

NatHERS meets all Australian state and territory legislations as part of the building permit application for new homes. Despite other methods being available for this building type, NatHERS is the most common rating program used, except for NSW where it is used in conjunction with Basix.

After you’ve approved our proposal quote, you can expect your Energy Rating Report within a two to three business days, dependant on unforeseen issues. While some Energy Rating businesses will promise a report within 24 hours, our experience (since 2001) is that an accurate report that delivers real-world savings and comfort needs further time for analysis beyond the software results.

Simply head to our Energy Rating Request page and submit your details including building plan and/or designs and we’ll forward and quote for our service. If you’d like to discuss your requirements with an energy rater, call us on (03) 9135 0300.