Build a home for energy efficiency

Last updated: 18 September 2024

With good design, especially at the planning stage of a new home or renovation, you can more easily boost the energy efficiency of your home to increase your comfort and save money on future energy bills.

All new homes and significant renovations in Victoria need to comply with the energy efficiency standards of the National Construction Code (NCC) and must meet a minimum 7-star performance standard under NCC 2022. To ensure you future proof your asset, it is strongly recommended you exceed today's minimum energy efficiency standards.

Resources for home buyers

Seeing 7-stars: new home energy efficiency standards explained

The improved standards will ensure that the homes built today will be more comfortable to live in and cost less to run now and into the future.

Energy Smart Housing Manual

If you're building or renovating your home, make the most of your investment by incorporating energy efficiency into the design.

Questions to ask your builder

Have more empowered conversations with your builder about energy-efficient design and ensure you're getting a comfortable, healthy and cost-saving home.

Electrify your home

For most Victorians, switching your home to all-electric can make your home net zero ready and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Key principles of energy-efficient design

From home orientation to lighting, and everything in between, refer to this for principles and features to know and consider when building a home.

Feature homes

These case studies highlight how easy it is to design and build energy efficient new homes.
Resources for industry professionals

Selling sustainable homes

By strengthening your understanding of sustainable homes, the design principles that underpin them and human behaviour, you will be more confident, and successful, in having conversations that translate to sales.

Designing for 7-stars webinar

Sustainability Victoria partnered with Design Matters National, Housing Industry Association (HIA) and Master Builders Association Victoria (MBAV) to deliver free 7-star plus design training sessions to builders, building designers and energy assessors. Offers practical tips for designing an affordable energy-efficient home with a whole-of-home approach.

Construction of energy-efficient homes webinar

Sustainability Victoria partnered with ATTMA ANZ, Housing Industry Association (HIA) and Master Builders Victoria (MBV) to deliver free 7-star construction training sessions.

Positive impacts of a whole-of-home approach on energy performance

A whole-of-home approach to energy efficiency considers the performance of appliances and their impact on overall energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and cost.

Insulation installation and air tightness

This article includes 3 videos that provide useful information for trades and supervisors on how to correctly install insulation and seal a building,

The ins and outs of as-built verification

An as-built verification (ABV) assessment gives confidence to builders and buyers that a home’s shell will perform to the standard that it has been designed to.

7 Star Upgrade Analysis handbook

Includes 10 case studies and the insights needed to affordably and effectively transition from building 6 to 7-star homes by optimising the design and orientation.

More information

Compliance with the energy efficiency standards is managed by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).

Further information about the 7-star energy efficiency building standards has been created by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

Your Home is a Federal Government resources for home energy efficiency information.

Build a home for energy efficiency

Resources for home buyers

Resources for industry professionals

More information