Victorian homeowners and renters will benefit from 5 Star renovations
26/Oct/2007
Victorian homeowners and renters will benefit from 5 Star renovations
The Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand (ICANZ) today welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to proceed with including 5 Star, energy efficiency requirements for home renovations from May 2008.
Dennis D'Arcy, ICANZ President, said that the decision to proceed with 5 Star renovations as part of the State’s building code requirements is good news for homeowners and renters.
“Most Victorian homes were built before the introduction of 5 Star regulations and as a result are energy inefficient older homes, more likely to undergo renovation.
“The Victorian Government’s decision will help to ensure that many older homes are made more sustainable and deliver substantial benefit to their occupants through improved comfort, reduced energy bills while contributing to lowing Victoria’s greenhouse gas emission for the benefit of the community.
“This requirement for renovations compliments the recent rebate initiative by the Victorian Government to assist householders and landlords to insulate the ceilings of uninsulated homes.” Mr D’Arcy said.
“Both these initiatives improve comfort and provide help for householders against the anticipated and significant increase in household energy costs” he added.
Mr D’Arcy said that 5 Star compliance is not expensive and can be achieved using existing low cost options, such as increased levels of insulation, installing ceiling fans, improved glazing and draft proofing.
“With low cost insulation being the primary instrument for improving the energy efficiency of the home, the additional cost of achieving 5 Star renovations is minimal.
“Awareness of climate change has made energy efficiency an increasingly important factor in the real estate market. Now home renovators can share in the demand for more sustainable 5 Star homes," he added.
