6 Star Energy Rating – What Is Its Importance?

By Author: Thompson Elliot
Total Articles: 2
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All the new houses and renovations from 1st May, 2011 will be needed to meet the criteria of a minimum 6 star energy rating with addition to a solar hot water system or a rainwater tank. The mandatory 6 star energy rating has been introduced to abide by the Government's environmental policy which will create less strain on the environment through water-saving and energy-efficient characteristics.

Energy rating – What is it?
An energy rating is the calculation that is made of the thermal performance of the house or the heating and cooling requirements to preserve a comfortable temperature. Thus, the lower the rating will be, the more dependent on heating and cooling appliances the resident’s inhabitants will be in order to set up and uphold a calm temperature. Lower rating may also mean high energy bills.

6 star rating-How is it calculated?
An energy rating can be formed by a certified energy rater. In order to carry out their assessment, they will need the floor plans, the site plans, elevations, the construction materials for the house such as what rating of insulation, the kind of cladding, ...
... the roof material that needs to be used and window schedule. The energy rater will provide this information into the energy rating program in order to work out the star performance of the house. If the residence attains less than 6 stars, then the energy rater will propose changes to make sure that a 6 star rating is accomplished. This may be insulation of a higher rating or double glazed windows.

Your house does not reach 6-star – What will happen in this situation?
It may happen that your house does not reach 6 star energy rating. In such a case, if the energy rating is short of 6 stars, you will have to make the necessary changes. This has the possibility to raise the cost to build particularly if the energy rating has not been judged when the design had begun. The right direction and building materials may mean that the insulation needed for the home is not rated as high as it may be required if the structure attains a lower energy rating.

You do not have a new building – What will it mean for renovation purpose?

It may be that you do not have a new building. Rather you are thinking to renovate or extend your old building. Thus, if you are making changes to 50% or more of the existing house, then the entire house will require attaining a 6-star energy rating. But, if the altered part is less 50% of the existing house, then only that part will require accomplishing a 6 star energy rating. The building evaluator may have some discretion in certain circumstances. You may talk with the building commission to get more information about it.

You may have a talk with the building designer of your house to be sure that they are thinking for at least 6 star energy rating Victoria in the process of designing. This will help you save a good amount of your hard-earned dollars in the long run.

Thompson Elliot is one of the prominent writer in the modern era. He wrote many articles about how the energy rating reports helps us to calculate our day to day energy consumption. Also the energy ratings for homes indicates the misuse of energy in lack of consciousness among our civilians.