A higher energy rating aims to slash greenhouse gas emissions from new residential dwellings by a further 7-11%. This is in a bid to meet Australia’s goal to achieve zero-carbon-ready buildings by 2050.
Fortunately, you can easily reach your 7 star energy rating by installing a solar photovoltaic system in your home. Rooftop solar power systems tend to come to mind first when people think of saving energy. At The Energy Experts, we also supply:
- battery storage to store unused energy from your solar panels
- solar hot water systems
- solar pool heating
How does a 7 star energy rating affect homeowners?
If you’re planning to build or renovate, you will initially have to pay more upfront to meet the higher standards.
However, by building or renovating to a 7 star standard, your home will become more energy-efficient. So it will need less power to maintain a comfortable temperature, which will lead to lower electricity bills in the short, medium and long-term.
Here’s an idea of how much you could save on your energy bill:
- If you live in a high-rise in suburban Sydney, you could save $150 a year
- If you live in a house in Western Sydney, you could save $720 a year
- If you live in a regional community, you could save as much as $970 a year
What makes for a 7 star energy-rated home?
There is no standard checklist of features a 7 star home should have. However, you can refer to BASIX to see a building’s energy usage is assessed. Criteria include:
- How you heat and cool the home. Do you use ceiling fans, evaporative cooling or gas heating with an approved energy rating?
- The type of hot water system installed and whether it is heated by electricity, gas, solar panels or a heat pump.
- Is the bathroom, kitchen and laundry area adequately ventilated?
- Is there an abundance of natural light and is artificial lighting energy-efficient?
- Are swimming pools and outdoor spas heated by a heat pump or solar system? A hybrid dual solar panel system can heat a pool and circulate water back to the panels to cool the photovoltaic cells, thereby improving the panel’s efficiency.
- Do you have alternative energy sources, such as a wind generator or solar photovoltaic system?
- Do you save energy in other ways (eg. by drying your clothing outdoors)?
Contact us for a quote on a residential solar energy or battery storage system. We’re a CEC-Approved Solar Retailer serving much of NSW, including the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands, Wollondilly, Sutherland Shire and Greater Sydney. Call 1300 516 474, email save@theenergyexperts.com.au or complete this quick online form.
