Decoding New Energy Efficiency Regulations | NCC 2022
Australia’s building industry is set to experience one of its biggest shake ups in decades in 2023. While the changes to the National Construction Code were released in 2022, Australian builders were given until October 2023 to ensure they were able to meet new requirements which are designed to improve accessibility while reducing the carbon footprint of builders and the eventual residents of the home. Other changes in the code, such as updates to the waterproofing standard, will come into effect on May 1st, 2023. In today’s blog, we’ll be examining the NCC 2022 with an aim to decode and demystify its contents. As mentioned above, these changes have the potential to change the way the industry operates in a major way. Make sure you’re in the know before the changes come into effect.
Livability & Accessibility
Australia, like many countries, has an ageing population in addition to a growing list of individuals who require special provisions made for their living space. The NCC 2022 aims to make some of these provisions' compulsory for all new homes and units in an effort to make them easier to enter, easier to navigate, easier to adapt and overall responsive to the needs of the occupant.
Some of these changes include:
Step free path from the site boundary or parking area
Toilet with a minimum 1200mm clear distance in front of the pan (not including the swing of the door) on ground (or entry) level
Corridors are 1000mm wide on ground (or entry) level.
Oxford Green Homes believes that all people should have access to homes that not only suit their needs, but allow for a sense of comfort, safety and security. All homes built by Oxford Green Homes meet the updated NCC 2022 Standards for Livability and Accessibility.
Energy Efficiency
There have been no changes to the required standards of energy efficiency in new houses in Australia since 2010 however, these changes are long overdue. NCC 2022 will raise the required energy efficiency rating on new homes from 6 NaHers stars to 7, a change which is pegged to reduce the thermal energy use of homes by as much as 27% according to industry experts such as Alan Pears from RMIT University. To put that into perspective, the average house in Australia scores somewhere between 1.5-2 stars although it is impossible to truly know as measuring and reporting is not compulsory. With energy prices all but promised to continue to increase dramatically, there has never been a better time to consider the energy efficiency of your home and the possible savings you could be making on your heating and cooling costs. The Australian Building Codes Board has forecast that the average Queenslander in a six-star home would save up to $173 a year on their electricity bill, while other experts have said it could be as high as $180 a year and remember, that’s when upgrading from a house rated 6 stars to 7 stars. In reality, the savings for a person living in an average Australian home will be in excess of these estimations.
All Oxford Green Homes are built to meet a minimum standard of 7.5 stars, a feat that is easily possible with our unique building system. It’s never been easier to cut your energy expenses significantly, while positively contributing to a net zero future. If you’d like to explore the possibilities granted by energy efficient housing, get in touch with us today. We have plenty of solutions to suit your unique needs and wants while also ensuring you are contributing to a better world tomorrow. Your future is only a message away. Get in touch today.