Green Homes: A Growing Trend in Australian Housing

In 2024, Australia is experiencing a significant shift in its approach to new home construction, with a pronounced movement towards the adoption of Green Homes/Smart Homes.

Energy Action presents: “Household Energy Efficiency: A Closer Look at 2024 Trends – From Traditional to Transformational”2024 marks a pivotal moment in Australian households’ approach to energy conservation. Departing from conventional practices such as simply turning off unused lights, there’s a notable shift towards embracing holistic, smart solutions. These solutions not only yield substantial energy savings but also revolutionize daily living with unparalleled ease and efficiency.

Embracing Smart Homes as the New Standard. The emergence of smart homes has solidified its place in 2024. Laden with energy-efficient appliances, these residences boast intelligent heating and cooling systems that intuitively adjust to occupants’ preferences while minimizing energy wastage. Automated lighting systems, which adapt based on natural light availability and occupancy, have become ubiquitous. Furthermore, the incorporation of smart meters and energy management systems empowers homeowners to monitor and optimize their energy consumption in real-time. These smart homes signify not only a technological leap but also a cultural shift towards a more mindful and effective lifestyle.

Embracing the transition to becoming a green builder will not only meet the increasing demand for Green homes but also catalyze their prominence in the years ahead.

Is it relatively simple to transition into the role of a green builder?

To transition into a green builder, it’s essential to seek a partner capable of imparting the expertise needed to excel in sustainable construction. Here’s a checklist to ensure you’re aligning with the ideal company for your journey.

Experience and Expertise: Look for a partner with a solid track record and expertise in green building practices. They should have experience in implementing sustainable construction methods and utilizing eco-friendly materials.
Commitment to Sustainability: Ensure that your partner shares your commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Look for evidence of their dedication to green building principles in their past projects and business practices.
Collaborative Approach: Seek a partner who values collaboration and open communication. Building green requires teamwork and coordination between various stakeholders, so it’s essential to choose a partner who is willing to work closely with you and other team members.
Innovative Solutions: Look for a partner who can offer innovative solutions and ideas for sustainable construction. They should be up-to-date with the latest green building technologies and practices and be willing to explore new approaches to minimize environmental impact.
References and Reviews: Take the time to research your potential partner’s reputation by checking references and reading reviews from past clients. Positive feedback and testimonials can provide valuable insights into their performance and reliability.
Local Knowledge and Regulations: Consider partnering with a firm that has local knowledge and expertise in your area, including familiarity with local building codes and regulations related to green construction.
Shared Values and Vision: Align with a partner who shares your values and vision for sustainable development. A strong alignment in values will facilitate a smoother partnership and increase the likelihood of achieving mutual goals.
Long-Term Partnership Potential: Look for a partner with whom you can envision a long-term relationship. Building green is not a one-time endeavor but a continuous commitment to sustainability, so it’s essential to choose a partner who is in it for the long haul.

Partner with Green Homes for an eco-conscious approach to building

Explore the opportunities of a home-building franchise in today’s construction landscape. As sustainable living gains momentum, joining a building franchise not only promises a lucrative career but also enables you to make a positive environmental impact.

Franchising with Green Homes Builder offers a comprehensive package, including marketing support, a dedicated sales team, business growth assistance, training and ongoing support, advanced systems and software, and profit potential.

May 23, 2024May 28, 2024

Searching for Your Dream Home Design? Discover These Top Pre-Designed Gems by Green Homes!

Are you looking for house plans in Australia that embrace sustainable living and offer exceptional design? At Green Homes, we provide a wide range of pre-designed green homes and the opportunity to design your own, ensuring you find the perfect house design that suits your needs and preferences. Here are some of the top designs that our customers wanted to build for their new homes.

#1 The Barn – The Most Popular Design

Step into the realm of sustainable luxury with our exquisite Barndominium design! Immerse yourself in the seamless blend of contemporary indulgence and eco-friendly ethos within this splendid two-story dwelling.

Boasting three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two ample car spaces, and adorned with solar passive design features, it’s an embodiment of eco-conscious opulence.

#2 Ewing

Embrace sustainable living in this one-story oasis! Choose from 4 or 5-bedroom layouts and make your sustainable dream home a reality.

Ewing: Area: 198 m2 | Bedroom: 3 | Bathroom: 2 | Car Spaces: 2

With 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2 car spaces, plus solar passive design, it’s the epitome of eco-luxury.

#3 The Grange

Ideal for those in search of cozy and efficient living. Inspired by the beloved barn dominium style, this design seamlessly translates its charm into a compact footprint, offering a perfect blend of rustic elegance and modern convenience.

The Grange: Area: 180 m2 | Bedroom: 2 | Bathroom: 1 | Car Spaces: 1

One-storey property featuring 2 bedrooms 1 bathroom, and 1 car space perfect for those seeking cozy and efficient living.

#4 Woodside

With an innovative winged design, The Woodside floorplan delivers a high level of energy efficiency and lifestyle, keeping personal from social. With its multiple floorplan options, the Woodside can be built around your family’s needs.

Woodside : Area: 310 m2 | Bedroom: 4 | Bathroom: 2 | Car Spaces: 2

Offering a peaceful division between living areas and bedrooms, the orientation captures the northern sun beautifully and keeps your outdoor & indoor living area(s) comfortable all year round.

#5 Bosky

Perfect for those embracing minimalist lifestyles or seeking efficient, sustainable living solutions. Despite the compact size, our homes prioritize functionality without sacrificing style or comfort. Natural light floods through strategically placed windows, creating an airy and inviting ambiance.

Bosky: Area: 186 m2 | Bedroom: 4 | Bathroom: 2 | Car Space: 2

Boasting a generous living area and modern Façade options, The Bosky is perfect for a modest residential block.

Pre-Designed Green Homes: Award-Winning House Plans and Designs for Sustainable Living

Our collection of pre-designed green homes that have gained recognition and awards for their innovative design and functionality. These house plans have been carefully crafted by our team of expert architects and designers, guaranteeing that you have access to high-quality and sustainable house designs.

Our pre-designed green homes cater to various architectural styles and floor plans. Whether you’re dreaming of a modern house design, a small house design, or a more traditional home, our selection has something to suit every taste. We understand the importance of energy efficiency, and each of our pre-designed homes incorporates the latest sustainable features to reduce your environmental impact while providing long-term cost savings on energy bills.

March 13, 2024March 13, 2024

Designing a 7-Star Energy-Efficient Home

Designing a 7-star energy-efficient home is a remarkable achievement, and we’re thrilled to have our home featured by Trend Windows boasting a coveted 7-star energy-efficiency rating. In this article, we’ll delve into the strategies behind achieving this rating and highlight one of our key partners in providing essential materials for energy-efficient homes.

The Builder and The Scientist

Meet Mick Fabar, the visionary CEO who laid the foundation for Green Homes in 2006, a pioneering sustainable design and construction enterprise that has soared to unprecedented heights since its inception. Collaborating with engineer and ecologist, Ash Bland, in the early stages, their synergy ignited a journey of innovation and eco-consciousness.

Despite misconceptions, constructing a high-performing, energy-efficient home can be accomplished for a mere fraction more than its less sustainable counterpart.

7 Star rating Home – New Trend for your Home

“7 Stars is a considerable step up from 6 Stars” – Mick Fabar, CEO, Green Homes Australia

Homes receive a star rating ranging from 0 to 10, indicating their comfort level and running costs. Constructing a 7-star rated home doesn’t have to be expensive or intricate. Simple design elements and material selections can significantly enhance energy efficiency and rating outcomes. According to Ash, the star rating indicates the balance of energy that goes in and out of the home, based on the amount of energy needed to maintain thermal comfort between 19 and 24 degrees.

What makes our home a 7-star rating

Orientation.

“The first question you must ask is: ‘How can I use the natural conditions to heat and cool my home for free?’ Wherever you are in Australia, that’s what you should be thinking,” Ash says, “The answer to this will influence the orientation of the home.”

The orientation of your home, including window placements, tailored to its location and climate, stands as the cornerstone of designing a 7-star, thermally efficient home – a crucial initial step that cannot be overlooked.

“If you reside in hot regions, focus on strategies to keep the heat outside your home. For coastal areas, optimize cooling breezes. And in colder climates, leverage the sun’s energy to heat your home naturally,” emphasizes Ash.

“Once orientation is set, attention can then turn to insulation, thermal mass, shading, and other refinements,” Ash continues. “Yet, a misstep in orientation is irremediable.

Material Matter.

When considering materials, performance takes precedence. However, for those with a sustainable ethos extending beyond home performance, extra attention must be given to how materials impact the environment.

“If you want your biggest bang for your buck, you’ve got to look at the windows, That’s where you can make the biggest difference to your comfort.

Why windows are important in building energy-efficient homes? Windows plays a crucial role in building energy-efficient homes for several reasons:

Natural Light: Well-placed windows allow ample natural light to enter the home, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. This not only lowers energy consumption but also enhances the overall ambiance and comfort of the living space.
Passive Solar Heating: Strategic placement of windows can harness solar heat during the winter months, reducing the need for artificial heating. South-facing windows, in particular, can capture sunlight and help warm interior spaces, thus improving thermal comfort and reducing heating costs.
Daylighting and Ventilation: Properly sized and positioned windows facilitate effective daylighting and natural ventilation, enhancing indoor air quality and reducing reliance on mechanical HVAC systems. This improves occupant comfort and reduces energy consumption associated with artificial lighting and air conditioning.
Energy Efficiency: High-performance windows with features such as low-emissivity (low-e) coatings, multiple glazing layers, and insulated frames can minimize heat transfer, helping to maintain stable indoor temperatures year-round. This reduces heating and cooling loads, resulting in lower energy bills and decreased environmental impact.
Solar Control: Windows with shading devices or coatings can mitigate solar heat gain during the summer months, reducing the need for air conditioning and improving thermal comfort. This prevents overheating of interior spaces and enhances energy efficiency.

Properly selected and installed windows contribute to lower energy consumption, improved comfort, and a more sustainable built environment.

Work with Professionals like Green Homes Australia:
Ready to create your own energy-efficient dream home? Partner with professionals like Green Homes Australia to turn your vision into reality. Their expertise, knowledge, and integrated design approach ensure compliance with green building standards, optimise performance and cost savings, and provide quality assurance and risk management throughout the construction process. Let’s work together to build a sustainable future for you and the environment.

August 29, 2023August 29, 2023

7 Star NatHERS Rating & Pioneering Sustainable Building in Australia

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) has recently made a significant leap, raising its national standard to a minimum of 7 stars. This is a monumental move towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient Australia. But while the construction industry grapples with this shift, Green Homes Australia proudly stands a step ahead, having delivered homes well above the 7-star rating for over 15 years.

What is a NatHERS Rating?

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, commonly known as NatHERS, is an Australia-wide framework designed to assess the potential thermal performance of residential buildings. The rating primarily focuses on the home’s ability to maintain a comfortable internal temperature without the heavy reliance on artificial heating or cooling.

How is the Rating Determined?

Using sophisticated software, accredited assessors estimate the energy required to heat and cool a home throughout the year. The software considers various factors, including:

The home’s design and orientation
Construction materials used
Insulation effectiveness
Window size and placement
Local climate conditions

NatHERS and the National Construction Code 2022 (NCC 2022)

The National Construction Code 2022 (NCC 2022) has ushered in a new era of building regulations in Australia. One of the significant changes in the NCC 2022 is its emphasis on elevating energy efficiency standards for residential buildings.

As part of the changes, there’s an increased focus on ensuring new builds meet higher energy performance levels. NatHERS ratings, being a trusted and recognised measure of thermal performance, play a pivotal role in this. With the NCC 2022 in effect, builders and architects are more inclined to design homes that not only meet but exceed the minimum energy efficiency requirements, aiming for higher NatHERS star ratings.

These modifications to the NCC signify a collective move towards a more sustainable future, pushing the construction industry to prioritise eco-friendly practices and designs. For homeowners, this means the potential for reduced energy costs, increased home comfort, and a smaller carbon footprint.

A NatHERS rating is not just a star-based score; it’s a reflection of a home’s energy efficiency and a testament to the industry’s commitment to sustainability, further emphasised by the enhancements in the NCC 2022.

Understanding the 7-Star NatHERS Rating

As we’ve outlined above, the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a performance-based rating system that assesses the energy efficiency of homes in Australia. While the standard Australian home might achieve a rating of 3 to 4 stars, Green Homes Australia has raised the bar, consistently delivering homes that boast well over a 7-star rating.

The Implications of a 7-Star Energy Efficient Home

Reduced Energy Bills: A 7-star rating translates to significant savings on energy bills. Efficient design and superior insulation ensure that homeowners enjoy comfortable indoor temperatures year-round, minimising the need for artificial heating or cooling.
Lower Carbon Footprint: High-rated energy-efficient homes play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, safeguarding our planet for future generations.
Enhanced Comfort: Beyond the eco-benefits, these homes provide optimal living conditions. Whether it’s the sweltering heat of summer or the chilly winds of winter, 7-star homes ensure consistent indoor comfort.

The Green Homes Difference: Building for the Future

Long before the national conversation turned to higher energy ratings, Green Homes Australia was already leading the pack. For over a decade and a half, we’ve been champions of eco-friendly building practices, creating homes that often exceed even the most stringent standards:

Sustainable Materials: We source building materials that are not only eco-friendly but also have outstanding insulating properties.
Innovative Design: Our architectural designs are crafted to maximise natural light and ventilation, reducing the dependence on artificial energy sources.
Solar Integrations: In line with our commitment, many of our homes come equipped with solar solutions, further reducing energy consumption.

While the construction industry adjusts to the recent change, Green Homes Australia is already envisioning the next frontier of sustainable housing. Our commitment remains undeterred: to craft homes that stand the test of time, both in quality and sustainability.

For homeowners, this means a guarantee of living in a space that’s kind to the environment and their wallets. With over 15 years of surpassing standards, Green Homes Australia assures you of a future-proof house, leading the charge in sustainability and innovation.

Are you a registered builder and want to avoid the hassles of the future changes that will effect your business while delivering the highest quality results for your clients? Get in touch today and let’s have a chat about joining the Green Homes team so you can start building 9 star homes in your area today without the fuss.