A New AHD Portal Will Track Residential Energy Efficiency Progress in Australian Homes

Around 11.4 percent Australia's emissions can be attributed to households, and with construction continuing at a steady pace, the AHD Portal can pinpoint where energy efficiency efforts are on track, and where they may need increased focus.

The AHD Portal will be an important tool in tracking and supporting the progress of the national plan agreed by COAG Energy Ministers that sets a trajectory towards zero energy (and carbon) homes in Australia.

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 m² (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.

Data is chiefly sourced from the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), a measurement and compliance system for energy efficiency administered by the Australian Government.

CSIRO Grids and Energy Efficiency Research Director Dr. Stephen White said the data shows steady progress in residential sustainability efforts.

"In order to meet national challenges of sustainable energy and resilient cities, it's vital that we track progress. As an independent research agency driving innovation in energy, particularly residential energy rating, CSIRO is well placed to do this," Dr. White said.

The portal contains data across states and climate zones and can be further broken down by design (e.g. dwelling class and floor area), construction (e.g. type of walls and roofing) and fixtures and appliances (e.g. solar PV and heating/cooling systems).

The construction of homes varies somewhat from state to state, reflecting the flexibility of the NatHERS software to meet both the variations in climate and product availability in each jurisdiction.

CSIRO will update dashboards within the AHD Portal monthly, ensuring it is a relevant and accessible tool for the benefit of residential energy efficiency stakeholders, nationally.