This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
NEWER Australian homes are twice as energy efficient as their older counterparts, with the ACT topping the nation in median energy star ratings.
CoreLogic’s new report on energy resilience in Australian homes, shows that a home built in 2010 or later is far more efficient than one built earlier, with newer homes having an estimated median star rating of 5.9 stars out of 10 compared to just 2.8 for those built prior to 2010.
As a result, the top performing areas are those with a higher concentration of newly built housing.
“The significant difference in energy efficiency between relatively modern homes and older homes can largely be attributed to changes in the National Construction Code (NCC) which has progressively placed more emphasis on energy efficiency requirements for newly built homes,” said Tom Coad, head of banking & finance solutions at CoreLogic.
“The Coalition’s recent push to pause the national construction code for 10 years flies in the face of Australia’s commitments to reduce carbon emissions. Policymakers should be incentivising the construction of energy efficient buildings, not slamming the breaks.”
Of the national top 30 for SA3 regions, the ACT is overrepresented with six regions listed, including the top spot. By contrast, both Sydney and Hobart failed to get one name in the rankings.
ACT’s Molonglo took the number one position, with a median star rating of 6.1, making it the only region nationally to earn a median star rating at or above 6 across all dwellings types.
While the next six in the rankings were located in Victoria, with the Surf Coast – Bellarine Peninsula, Whittlesea – Wallan, Tullamarine – Broadmeadows, Cardinia, Casey – South and Wyndham at 5.8 stars.
In NSW, Sydney’s Blacktown–North and Bringelly–Green Valley recorded the highest ratings for energy efficient homes, both recording a median star rating of 5.2.
South Australia saw five regions on the top 30 list, with Port Adelaide–East recording the highest median star rating at 5.5.
While in WA, Serpentine- Jarrahdale in Perth had the highest median star rating at 5.8, with Armadale and Kwinana following at 5.6.
The highest median star rated region in Darwin, NT was Palmerston at 5.8 stars.
“Minimum energy efficiency standards for new builds will continue to be important in supporting Australia’s greenhouse gas reduction targets, but there is likely to be increasing focus and incentives on established housing where most of Australia’s housing stock was built prior to recent minimum standards,” said Tim Lawless, research director at CoreLogic.
“Many European countries are well advanced in their data collection and analysis of energy efficiency data, with the European Union mandating an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) must be obtained when homes are built, sold or rented. This is also the case in the United Kingdom and some Scandinavian countries.”
