With the 2022 National Construction Code (NCC) soon coming into effect, new residential dwellings must achieve higher level of performance on the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). Key to achieving an energy-efficient home is a well-insulated building envelope.

New standard for Australian homes

From May 2023, the new energy efficiency requirements within the 2022 National Construction Code (NCC) will come into effect meaning that homes built in Australia will now be required to achieve the equivalent of seven stars. In addition, there is a new whole-of-home maximum allowable energy use for new homes. Ultimately, this will help improve energy efficiency of home designs to support Australians now and into the future.

After a brief transitionary period, from October 2023, all new homes across the country will need to meet new energy efficiency requirements, with many builders looking for solutions that will help them construct more sustainable house designs to meet these changing needs. For the most energy efficient results, architects and builders will need to consider energy efficiency and sustainability targets in their design plans and ensure a positive contribution to the environment right from the beginning.

Timeline for NCC 2022

NCC 2022 timeline

Building better homes

Insulation is a great investment that will make a home comfortable, increase its value, reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint, and contribute to a more sustainable way of living. Durable insulation materials ensure homes are well-insulated with no maintenance required for the lifetime of the building. Not only does that help to deliver cost-effective buildings that don’t need expensive upgrades over time, but it also ensures that homes are built with effective insulation that keeps the heat in – or out – as needed, which helps homeowners manage their energy bills more effectively. This is crucial as treasury has assumed in the federal budget that power prices will increase by an average of 20 per cent nationally in late 2022, and a further 30 per cent in 2023/24.

The Earthwool range of insulation comes with a 50-year warranty; when properly installed, it will perform consistently throughout the lifetime of the building.

Insulation that has been certified by third-party certification bodies is independently tested to ensure it delivers performance while meeting strict safety and energy efficiency standards. The Earthwool range is both BRANZ appraised and Codemark Certified and has achieved Global GreenTag GreenRate Level A certification – a robust, trusted and widely recognised ecolabel.

While designers and building owners can easily gain GreenStar credits by using products with this certification, it also gives homeowners peace of mind that their homes are constructed with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind from beginning to end.

Beyond the GreenTag GreenRate Level A rating, our products are also EUCEB and Eurofins certified. This guarantees that Knauf Insulation products not only are certified and meet the requirements of the Australian Building Code, but are also made of non-classified fibres that are less bio-persistent than everyday dust and are compliant with low volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions.

All unfaced products in the Earthwool range are deemed non-combustible and are covered by the Certifire certificate to demonstrate the highest level of fire safety.

Steve Smith, product and system manager, Knauf Insulation Asia-Pacific said, “The changes to the NCC ensure that sustainable building design and energy efficient building materials take centre-stage in the development of new residential dwellings. Like Australia’s building ministers, Knauf Insulation has an eye on the future and is committed to helping our clients and partners deliver sustainable, energy efficient homes to Australians now and into the future. There’s a range of our solutions available to support architects, specifiers and builders in the move from 6 to 7 stars for their future projects.”

Choosing certified insulation glasswool from Knauf Insulation will give specifiers, designers, architects and building occupants complete confidence and peace of mind that buildings perform for the environment and keep people healthy and safe.

Architecture & Design Team

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