At King Homes NSW, we believe that exceptional home design encompasses many facets, all coming together to create your ideal space.
As Australia moves towards its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, significant changes in the National Construction Code (NCC) are shaping how we construct and inhabit our homes. These updates are designed to enhance energy efficiency, climate resilience, and overall healthier living environments. Sustainable homes not only contribute to environmental conservation but also reduce energy costs for homeowners.
At King Homes NSW, we are dedicated to ensuring all our new homes meet these revised NCC standards while maintaining the superior design and build quality we are known for.
Enhanced Home Energy Rating
Starting from October 1, 2023, most new homes in New South Wales are required to achieve a BASIX rating equivalent to a 7-Star standard, an increase from the previous 5.5-Star requirement. This shift is aimed at creating homes that offer greater comfort throughout the year and lower energy consumption.
The Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) is a planning measure by the NSW Government to reduce water and energy usage in new residential homes and buildings. BASIX targets sustainability for water and energy and sets minimum performance standards for the thermal comfort of your home. A BASIX certificate is necessary for any Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or Development Application (DA) build, ensuring that sustainability targets are met or exceeded.
Homes built to a 7-Star standard are designed to harness the sun’s warmth during winter while minimising heat gain in summer. This is achieved through features like enhanced insulation, effective ventilation, strategic shading, optimal window placement, and in certain areas or locations, using lighter colours for roofs and window frames to improve energy efficiency.
Interestingly, the colour of your roof isn’t the biggest factor in achieving a higher BASIX rating. Orientation is the most significant contributor, with other elements working in tandem to enhance energy efficiency. For example:
- North-facing living areas: Your house is ideally situated, and any roof colour is likely to work well.
- West-facing living areas with a large roof ratio: Your house might ‘run hot,’ necessitating cooling solutions like a lighter roof.
- South-facing living areas: Your house is likely to ‘run cold,’ so a darker roof can help retain heat.
Choosing an external colour scheme that suits your home’s energy needs can significantly impact your home’s thermal comfort and energy efficiency.
Managing Condensation
Creating a healthy living environment is essential for your family’s well-being and the long-term durability of your home. With the updated NCC standards, we are committed to building homes that meet these new requirements, reducing condensation and the risks associated with mould, moisture, and dust mites.
This includes directly venting exhaust fans from wet areas to the outside, incorporating a timer for exhaust fans where applicable if there is no natural ventilation, and ensuring proper ventilation for sarked roofs in specific climate zones.
We use vapor-permeable wall wrap as standard to help the house ‘breathe.’ Standard reflective wall wrap, and sarking are ‘vapor closed’ so they lock moisture in. Our standard meets the requirements for both climate zones we usually build in (zones 5 and 6 being the more rigid ones).
How These Changes Impact Your Build
The cost of building an NCC-compliant home varies depending on factors like the size of your home, the climate zone, and the orientation of your block. At King Homes NSW, our team is here to work with you to design and build a home that not only meets NCC standards but also aligns with your budget and specific needs.
Our goal is to create a home that reduces ongoing living expenses and provides a healthier, more thermally comfortable living space for your family.
By embracing these changes and focusing on sustainable, energy-efficient designs, King Homes NSW is dedicated to building homes that are ready for the future, ensuring a better environment and a better living experience for our clients.
