Aussie homes getting larger and more efficient
A new data portal from Australia's national science agency, the CSIRO, will track residential energy efficiency progress to support the next wave of sustainable homes.
Key findings drawn from the data (based on apartments and houses) includes:
- 195,000 new homes were built in Australia in the past year
- There is steady progress in building of high-performance homes, especially in Tasmania and the ACT
- Overall, Australian homes are increasing in size, with an average floor area of 132 square metres (this includes houses and apartments)
- Average dwellings were most likely to have a metal roof, brick veneer walls, and a concrete floor
- The average newly-constructed home had an energy rating of 6.2 stars. This is an improvement since the introduction of star ratings in 2001, when the average home was estimated at 1.8. This translates to an annual saving of approximately $560 in energy bills per house.
Have you purchased a new home recently? What star rating does your house have?
6 comments
6 comments
Efficient? - maybe in some ways. But all the 'open plan' features are a killer for heating and cooling. And that efficiency ure comes at a hefty price tag. My brother is in the middle of a long, drawn out building project of his house, trying to be as efficient and eco friendly as possible. Might have savings way down the track, but heavy prices to set up.