Australia has implemented a national energy rating system known as the NatHERS, which stands for Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme. This system provides a star rating for the thermal performance of a home, with the highest rating being 10 stars. This rating system aims to encourage the construction of energy-efficient homes, which can save homeowners money on their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint.
The NatHERS system uses a computer simulation program to estimate the thermal performance of a home based on factors such as insulation, window glazing, and the orientation of the home. This allows builders, architects and home owners to identify areas in which they can improve the energy efficiency of a home before it is built or during renovation.
Currently, the majority of homes in Australia have a rating of less than six stars, meaning they are considered to be relatively inefficient. There is still a lot of room for improvement and more energy efficient home can be built. However, the implementation of energy efficient building codes and the increased awareness about energy efficiency among builders and homeowners has led to an overall improvement in the energy performance of homes in recent years.
In conclusion, the NatHERS system provides a valuable tool for assessing the energy efficiency of homes and encouraging the construction of more energy-efficient homes. While there is still room for improvement, the increased awareness of energy efficiency in the building industry is helping to drive the construction of more energy-efficient homes in Australia.
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