Getting to 7 stars doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. The right design and material choices can lift your home's energy rating a long way.
Here are my tips for new homeowners.
C20 - What You Should Know When You Design Your New Home
$59.00 AUD
Last updated 28 Oct 2026 · Revision 3 · Free updates for life
Checklist Type: Minor
Form Factor: Fillable, print-ready PDF (A4, 42 pages)
When to use: Design stage: before the plans and specification are finalised and before you sign
A 134-check guide to work through with your designer while the plans are drawn. Settle the block, the sun, the layout, the energy rating, the services and the contract early, so a change costs a redraw, not a variation.
7 Star Home energy ratings
Since 1 May 2024, most new homes in Queensland must achieve a 7-star NatHERS rating under NCC 2022 (most other states started from 1 October 2023). The cheapest way to get there is to start with the fundamentals.
First, design and orientation. Get these right and everything else costs less.
Design for your local climate, thinking about shade and sun, so you need fewer changes to other elements like eave width or ventilation.
When you're choosing your land, think about how the house will sit on it. Orientation has a big effect on thermal performance and your rating.
Bring an accredited energy assessor in early in the design. They know how to lift a rating and find the cheapest way to 7 stars and beyond.
If you want big windows, an assessor can suggest ways to make them work, such as better insulation, climate-appropriate glazing or lighter colours.
Windows, zoning and insulation
Double glazing or coated (Low-E) glass can lift your rating. Prices have dropped a lot and there are plenty of options.
Window size, placement and shading should suit the climate. Shading is essential for large west-facing windows.
Adding internal doors to zone living areas from hallways and stairs reduces the area NatHERS assumes you heat and cool, which can lift your rating cheaply.
Put doors at the ends of corridors, at the bottom of stairs, or on media and rumpus rooms that aren't used all the time.
Increasing the R-value (insulating performance) of the insulation in your walls, floors and ceilings improves your rating.
In Queensland's climate zones 1 and 2 (tropical and warm humid), ceiling insulation, roof colour, shading and ceiling fans matter far more than slab or internal wall insulation. In cooler areas, insulating the slab, garage and internal walls can help too, but watch out for condensation.
Use IC-4 rated downlights that can be covered by insulation, and limit skylights and roof windows, so the ceiling insulation stays continuous. Fewer gaps in the insulation means a better rating.
Choose your colours thoughtfully
Your roof and wall colours affect your rating. In warm climates, avoid dark roofs. Window frame colours can make a difference too.
Ceiling fans in every room lift your rating and keep you comfortable, and they're one of the cheapest ways to earn points.
People don't give much thought to the colours of their roof, window frames and walls, but together they can make a big difference to the score.
Next Steps
Get an assessor involved early, then work through the design with our C20 What You Should Know When You Design Your New Home checklist.
Decoding Home Energy Star Ratings: What Homeowners Should KnowUnderstanding the energy efficiency of your home is crucial. The NatHERS star rating, ranging from 0-10 stars, evaluates the thermal comfort of a house. A higher rating indicates better energy efficiency, potentially reducing the need for artificial heating or cooling.
Mastering Energy Efficiency: Air Sealing & Insulation TipsBuilding an energy-efficient home is more than just a trend; it’s a responsibility. Dive into the intricacies of air sealing, insulation, and the importance of thermal mass. Discover how these elements can drastically reduce energy consumption and promote sustainability.
Smarter Housing Assessments: Reduce Emissions and Future-ProofFind out why your home’s energy rating might be fooling you—and what you can do about it. From cutting emissions to slashing bills, we’ll show you how smarter assessments and upgrades can future-proof your home and wallet.
Energy Loss in Homes: The Impact of Gaps and CracksExplore the hidden truth of residential construction: gaps and cracks that lead to energy loss. This article delves into how poor insulation and air leaks in homes result in higher energy bills and reduced comfort, emphasizing the importance of airtight construction for energy efficiency.
Why New Homes Lack Energy Efficiency: Time for AccountabilityDespite the advancements in building science, many new homes remain energy sieves. Why? The focus of most project builders is on profits rather than energy efficiency. As homeowners pay top dollar for new homes, they later find themselves burdened with high energy costs.
As-Designed vs As-Built: Why Efficiency Falls ShortMany new homes promise energy efficiency on paper but fall short once built. In this post we look at the MDPI Sustainability Review and its main takeaways. Its good to know what’s going on, what to expect and how to position yourself to achieve the best outcome.
Optimizing the 4 Control Layers for High-Performance HomesBuilding an energy-efficient home requires a good understanding of the four control layers: water, air, vapour, and thermal. In this post we look into how project builders can optimise these layers, ensuring homes are comfortable, sustainable, and cost-effective.
