Six-star energy rating proposed for homes

Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday 7/2/2009 Page: 7

NEW homes across the country may be required to have a "six star" energy efficiency rating within two years. The premiers and the Prime Minister agreed to examine the proposal at their next meeting. The proposal comes from a report by the leaders' working group on climate change and water, aimed at improving the energy efficiency of homes and commercial buildings following lobbying by environment groups. Improving energy efficiency in buildings is one way to cut greenhouse gas emissions and energy bills.

Among the proposals on the table at the next Council of Australian Governments meeting will be increasing energy efficiency for all commercial buildings, phasing in compulsory disclosure of the energy efficiency, water use and greenhouse gas emissions of homes at the time of sale or rent, and increasing the energy efficiency of new homes to six stars nationally.

A "six-star" energy efficiency rating is heavily influenced by the efficient heating and cooling of buildings, including their use of insulation, air-conditioning and window placement. The move follows the Federal Government's decision to spend $3.9 billion of the economic stimulus package on home energy efficiency, including ceiling insulation and phasing in solar hot water systems. Yesterday the Greens pressured the Government to speed up its energy efficiency program.

Greens senator Christine Milne expressed concern that the Government was spending billions of dollars to insulate new homes without ensuring every new home built was insulated. ''It beggars belief that a Government could insulate existing homes with one hand, while building new uninsulated homes and schools with the other," she said. "Building energy-guzzling homes and school buildings now would mean a new cash injection will be necessary a few years down the track to bring them up to scratch. ''How much sense does it make to build the kind of energy guzzling homes for Australia's needy this year which will be against building regulations next year?"