5 Star standard - Extension of the 5 Star standard to home renovations and relocations
In the Victorian Greenhouse Policy issued on 5 June 2005, the Victorian Government committed to requiring renovations and extensions to homes to achieve the 5 Star standard.
On 1 May 2008, the requirement for alterations to achieve 5 Star will come into effect in the Building Code of Australia 2008 (BCA 2008). The extension brings Victoria in line with national standards.
The new standard for renovations or relocations applies to the thermal performance of a home and does not require a solar hot water system or a rainwater tank for toilet flushing.
Renovations and relocations in the period prior to 1 May 2008 are still required to meet the BCA requirements. However, consumers should remember the considerable comfort, environmental and economic benefits that flow from building to the 5 Star standard.
The Relevant Building Surveyor has discretion to allow partial compliance for smaller extensions or extensive alterations where the requirement is impractical. The Building Commission will provide guidance and technical advice to building practitioners.
A Standard Cost Model report measures the cost to industry of the proposed amendment to the BCA 2008. Click here to download the report. (115KB). Click here to download the appendix. (16KB).
The Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) has reviewed the report and assessed it as adequate. Click here to view VCEC's assessment of the report. (70KB)
For further information about the new regulation, contact the Building Commission telephone hotline on 1300 360 380.
Victoria's 5 Star rating for new homes is a key feature of the Victorian Government's environmental policy and will help save our finite energy and water resources.
Introduced from 1 July 2005, the 5 Star standard now requires all new homes in Victoria to include a greater range of energy efficiency and water saving features, improving occupant comfort and reducing energy bills.
From 1 May 2008, the 5 Star standard will be extended to cover renovations and relocation of homes.
As a result of 5 Star, Victorians will enjoy new and renovated homes that are:
- better quality and more comfortable
- cheaper to operate
- environmentally sound
- good for Victoria's economy
What does the 5 Star standard mean for you?
The 5 Star standard benefits the environment, drives innovation in design and product development and provides savings for consumers. It ensures that all new homes offer improved energy and water saving features by way of a home rating system similar to that used for domestic appliances.
The 5 Star standard is performance-based rather than prescriptive, allowing designers, builders and home-owners flexibility and choice on how to design and construct a 5 Star house. At the same time, this encourages innovation, helps minimise costs and, importantly, benefits the environment.
With appropriate design and attention to details, the cost of complying with the 5 Star standard is minimised.
Achieving 5 Star
The Residential sustainability measures practice notes 2006-2007(117KB) on the implementation of Victoria's 5 Star standard for new homes, together with options for compliance is available for practitioners.
To allow time for builders to achieve compliance with 5 Star, the transitional period for homes with a timber sub-floor construction, mud brick homes and relocatable homes was extended until 31 August 2007. These types of buildings are now required to comply with the 5 Star standard.
And from 1 May 2008, the 5 Star standard will be extended to home renovations and relocations, taking full affect in the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
Some important points
- The 5 Star standard applies to all new homes and apartments (BCA Class 1 and 2 buildings).
- From 1 May 2008, an alteration to a home or relocated home will be required to achieve the 5 Star standard.
- The new standard for renovations and relocations of existing homes does not require a solar hot water system or a rainwater tank for toilet flushing.
- Home maintenance projects, such as refitting of kitchens and bathrooms, will not be affected by the new regulations.
- With alterations, the Relevant Building Surveyor will be authorised to allow partial compliance for smaller extensions and extensive alterations where the requirement is impractical. The Building Commission will provide guidance and technical advice to building practitioners on how the new measures should be applied and will issue a revision to Practice Note No 55.
5 Star homes are cheaper to run
An independent report has revealed that 5 Star adds only around two per cent to the average upfront cost of building, and this is offset by reduced household energy and water bills over the life of a home. Average annual savings from 5 Star homes:
- $200 on household heating and cooling bills
- $100 saving on hot water for installing a solar hot water system and
- $50 saving on water bills for installing a rainwater tank - and the potential for even more if used wisely.
5 Star homes also need smaller heating and cooling systems that cost less to buy and to operate.
The Research report summary on the direct cost of compliance with the 5 Star standard for new housing is available to download.
5 Star homes are more comfortable
Even without using the heating or cooling systems, 5 Star homes are up to 5 degrees warmer in winter and 10 degrees cooler in summer than the typical 2 Star new home built prior to the introduction of the 5 Star standard.
5 Star homes are good for Victoria's economy
Annual energy savings in Victoria are estimated to be worth $30-40 million within five years of the introduction of 5 Star. Over the next 20 years the 5 Star standard will result in:
- Increased economic growth in Victoria of up to $570 million.
- 1,100 new jobs in the energy-efficient product manufacturing sector.
- More money on energy-efficient building products and services.
- Lower energy bills as 5 Star houses consume less energy for heating and cooling.
5 Star homes benefit the environment
Within five years, energy-efficient homes will save Victoria more than 200,000 tonnes of greenhouses gases annually. This is equivalent to removing 45,000 cars from our roads, or planting 750,000 trees. With the extension of 5 Star energy-efficiency measures to home renovations, even greater benefits will be realised.
Homes that require less cooling will help reduce pressure on Victoria's power supplies during high-use summer periods.
