Announcement date
1 September 2022
Link to announcement
https://abcb.gov.au/ncc-2022-residential-energy-efficiency-final-decision-ris
Problem being addressed
The residential building sector is a major source of energy demand and use. While Australia has made considerable progress in the energy performance of residential buildings, there is still opportunity to implement actions that could further reduce the energy consumption of the sector.
Proposal
Options the RIS examined included:
- Maintaining the status quo (which is the required benchmark option in regulatory impact analysis)
- Option A: A minimum level of thermal performance equivalent to 7 stars NatHERS, plus a whole-of-home annual energy use budget applicable to the home’s space conditioning, hot water, lighting, pool and spa pumps, and on-site renewables (typically rooftop photovoltaics – PV)
- Option B: Similar to Option A, but with a larger whole-of-home annual energy use budget, which permits lower performing, energy efficient equipment and/or less PV to be installed. Option A’s annual energy use budget is 70 per cent of Option B’s.
The RIS found a combination of these options, i.e. being Option A for Class 1 buildings and Option B for Class 2 buildings, to be the most effective way to meet the objectives by:
- achieving the highest greenhouse gas abatement at lowest cost to the economy;
- lowering the cost of household energy bills; and
- improving occupant comfort and resilience to extreme weather.
Assessed RIS outcome
Compliant with RIS requirements for Ministers’ Meetings and National Standard Setting Bodies