All new homes built in Victoria are required to achieve a 5 Star Energy Rating with water saving measures, plus either a water tank or solar hot water service. The only exception to this legislation is for relocated houses although certain energy efficiency measures must still be implemented.

When submitting a building permit application, it is necessary to provide an energy rating report showing that the proposed dwelling achieves a minimum 5-star rating. This report must be prepared by an accredited energy rater using approved software.

As this report is not required until the building permit stage, the energy efficiency of a building can often be overlooked during the design phase by some designers, whereby a remedial solution may only achieve the minimum requirements.

At Unicorn House, achieving a high level of energy efficiency has always been a standard approach to our designs from the very conception, and we welcome this legislation as a means toward reducing Australia's greenhouse gas emissions produced from our homes and workplaces. We hope that this will be a significant step toward improving the building industries consideration of the environment, granted at first because they are forced too, but ultimately to develop a sense of responsibility toward the use of our natural resources and an understanding that we have to look after what we've got.

Helen is an accredited energy rater and offers this service for our own or other projects.

For more information:

Make Your Home Green website

http://www.makeyourhomegreen.vic.gov.au/www/html/1962-introduction.asp

Building Commission Practice Note

Residential Sustainability Measures

May 2008

http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/resources/documents/PracticeNotes2008-55.pdf