What is a NatHERS Certificate and How Does It Affect Your Build?
When planning and designing your new home, obtaining a NatHERS certificate is crucial—short for the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme.
This certificate plays a pivotal role in ensuring that your new dwelling is energy-efficient, comfortable, and sustainable, helping you save on running costs while minimising your environmental impact.
Let’s take a closer look at NatHERS, its purpose, and how it will impact your home build.
What is NatHERS?
The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a system that provides an energy rating for homes based on their design and performance.
It assesses how well the building is likely to retain heat during the winter and keep cool in the summer, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling.
The goal of NatHERS is to promote homes that are energy-efficient, resilient, and comfortable—and, ultimately, cost less to run.
As part of Australia's efforts to reduce carbon emissions, NatHERS is evolving with new tools that help the building sector move towards net-zero emissions by 2050. These upgrades allow for more comprehensive assessments, including energy ratings for major appliances, solar panels, and batteries, in addition to the traditional rating for the building shell (walls, roof, windows, etc.).
Do I Need a NatHERS Certificate?
Yes, you will need a NatHERS certificate before any construction permits are approved.
It’s a mandatory part of the process to ensure your home meets the necessary energy efficiency standards set by local councils and the building industry.
How Does a NatHERS Certificate Affect My Build?
The NatHERS certificate provides important guidelines on how to design and construct a home that meets the required energy efficiency standards. It’s not just about getting a "star rating" for your home—it impacts various elements of your build, including windows, insulation, and other construction details. Here's how it might affect different aspects of your build:
1. Windows: The Impact of Glazing
One of the key elements of a NatHERS assessment is the performance of your windows.
The scheme provides clear guidelines on how much glazing (the glass portion of windows) can be used in relation to the amount of cladding or solid wall material. If your home design includes a lot of glazing on external walls, the energy performance of the windows will be a key focus.
Double Glazing: NatHERS often recommends double glazing for better insulation. This helps maintain a stable internal climate by reducing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Double glazing reduces the amount of energy needed to cool or heat your home, which makes it more efficient and sustainable.
Thermally Broken Windows: Another important consideration is the use of thermally broken windows, which help prevent heat transfer through the window frame itself.
When planning your home, it’s essential to consider the window specifications early in the design phase, as these can significantly impact your budget. Energy-efficient windows (like double glazing or thermally broken windows) may cost more upfront but will lead to long-term savings in energy bills.
2. Insulation: Where and What Type?
The NatHERS certificate also specifies what insulation is required in your new home, as well as where it should be placed. Effective insulation is key to ensuring your home stays at a comfortable temperature without the need for excessive heating or cooling.
Minimum Insulation Requirements: NatHERS sets out the minimum R-values (thermal resistance values) for insulation in different parts of the home, such as the roof, walls, and floors. Builders often install the minimum required insulation, but this is a good opportunity to ask questions about enhancing your insulation package to increase your home's performance.
Additional Insulation Options: You might want to ask your builder about adding extra insulation in specific areas, like between the first and ground floors, or in bedroom walls for soundproofing. Adding additional layers of insulation can increase the comfort of your home and help reduce energy consumption.
By addressing insulation requirements during the planning phase, you’ll not only meet the NatHERS standards but also ensure your home performs optimally in terms of energy efficiency. Plus, discussing insulation early allows you to adjust the design or materials to stay within your budget.
Why is NatHERS Important for Your Build?
While NatHERS might seem like just another regulatory step in the homebuilding process, it has several long-term benefits for you as a homeowner:
Energy Efficiency: By adhering to NatHERS guidelines, your home will be better equipped to stay comfortable year-round, with less reliance on heating and cooling systems.
Lower Running Costs: Homes with higher NatHERS ratings use less energy to maintain a comfortable temperature, reducing your energy bills.
Sustainability: NatHERS promotes environmentally responsible construction, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of your home.
Comfort: A home that performs well in terms of temperature regulation means you’ll enjoy a more comfortable living space, all year round.
Conclusion: Planning for a NatHERS-Compliant Home
Obtaining a NatHERS certificate is an important step in building a modern, energy-efficient home that will stand the test of time. It influences everything from the types of windows you choose to where insulation is placed, and it plays a major role in shaping the overall energy performance of your home.
At TAG Homes, we understand how critical these early design considerations are for keeping your project on budget and ensuring the home meets all regulatory requirements. If you’re in the process of designing your new home, it’s crucial to engage with your builder and design team early to make sure your home complies with NatHERS—and to plan for any additional energy-saving upgrades.
If you have questions about NatHERS requirements or need assistance in obtaining a NatHERS certificate, reach out to TAG Homes today. We can guide you through the entire process, ensuring your home is energy-efficient, comfortable, and compliant with all necessary regulations.