What is an energy efficiency rating (NatHERS / 7 star)?
A NatHERS rating is a 1-7 star measure of a home's thermal performance, showing how well it maintains comfortable temperatures without excessive heating or cooling. The 7-star standard is the current national minimum requirement for new homes in Australia.
The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is Australia's national system for assessing thermal comfort and energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme rates homes on a scale from 1 star (poor thermal performance) to 7 stars (excellent thermal performance), based on how effectively the building design manages heating and cooling loads across the year.
A NatHERS rating accounts for factors including orientation, window placement and glazing, insulation levels, thermal mass, ventilation, and local climate zone. The rating is calculated using standardized software that models annual energy performance, allowing buyers and owners to compare the thermal efficiency of different home designs regardless of location.
the team 2022, the National Construction the team requires all new residential buildings to achieve a minimum 7-star NatHERS rating. This threshold ensures that newly constructed homes meet current efficiency standards and reduces both heating and cooling costs over the life of the property. Builders and designers typically work with NatHERS accredited assessors during design and planning to model and verify ratings before construction begins.
For anyone commissioning a custom home, understanding the NatHERS rating target is essential to the design brief. Custom home builders use NatHERS assessments to optimize designs for your climate zone, balancing performance requirements with your preferences for layout, window views, and passive design features.