Are there minimum energy-efficiency requirements?
Yes. New dual-occupancy dwellings must meet minimum energy-efficiency requirements.
For new homes in the ACT, the standard is equivalent to a 7-star NatHERS energy rating. If the NatHERS/house energy rating software pathway is used, the dwelling must achieve at least 7 stars, including the applicable heating and cooling load limits. The ACT also has Whole of Home energy-efficiency requirements covering energy used by key household services and appliances.
Compliance must be demonstrated as part of the Building Approval process.
Reference: ACT Government – Energy Efficiency – Requirements for New Buildings – https://www.planning.act.gov.au/professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/responsibilities/energy-efficiency
Short Answer
Yes. New dual-occupancy dwellings must meet minimum energy-efficiency standards equivalent to 7-star NatHERS, together with applicable Whole of Home energy requirements. If the NatHERS pathway is used, at least 7 stars is required.
Detailed Explanation
Yes. New residential dwellings are required to comply with the applicable energy-efficiency Performance Requirements under NCC Volume Two, Part H6.
Where house energy rating software (NatHERS) is used as the Deemed-to-Satisfy pathway, Specification 42, S42C2(1) requires the building to achieve an energy rating of greater than or equal to 7 stars, together with the applicable separate heating and cooling load limits. S42C3 also prescribes the applicable Whole of Home energy-use requirement under that pathway.
Alternative NCC compliance pathways are available, so the requirement is more accurately described generally as a standard equivalent to 7-star NatHERS, rather than saying every dwelling must obtain a 7-star NatHERS certificate.
No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.
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