Building and renovating

Energy efficient design and construction doesn’t mean adding extra expense to your renovation or new home budget. Simple but strategic design can provide year-round comfort and energy savings, without changing the way your house looks.

Any style of home can be designed to be energy efficient and any existing home can improve its energy efficiency. Ask your builder for a house energy rating . Both new and existing houses can be energy rated. The higher the rating, the more you’ll save on heating and cooling bills. An energy efficient or ‘energy smart’ home uses simple, practical and inexpensive design principles to:
  • increase comfort and natural light
  • reduce energy costs
  • minimise the use of non-renewable energy (coal, oil and natural gas).
When you’re renovating or building, you have a chance to make choices that will pay off in the future. Some design decisions are best made from the start and others can be incorporated at a later stage without too much extra expense or hassle.

Design and planning:

  • design for the climate, sun and site
  • zone the floor plan
  • be smart with natural light
  • take care with skylights
  • control air movement
  • improve comfort through landscape
  • maximise your star rating
  • find an energy smart builder and designer

Find out more about Design and planning

Construction and materials:

  • maximise wall or floor insulation
  • use thermal mass to control temperature variation
  • minimise waste
Find out more about Construction and materials

Appliances and systems:

  • pick the right size
  • look for higher star ratings
  • install the right lighting
  • think solar
  • switch to GreenPower
Find out more about Appliances and systems

Further information

For more information on how to maximise the energy saving potential of any property or house design:

  • read about sustainable building and renovating in more depth
  • download the Energy Smart Housing Manual
  • explore the effects of varying design factors on energy usage through the First Rate House Energy Rating software
  • get a house energy rating to help identify energy saving opportunities
  • contact Sustainability Victoria on 1300 363 744.
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