More Regulations For Energy Efficiency Could Create More Hurdles For Homebuyers

New proposed regulations to improve energy efficiency could increase the cost of building a home and create more bureaucratic hurdles for residential home buyers in New South Wales, according to one industry expert.

Master Builders Australia's chief executive officer Wilhelm Harnisch said the increase in the compulsory energy saving requirements are likely to create additional challenges for people wanting to build residential properties.

He added that the change to the minimum requirements for energy efficiency will result in extra costs for home buyers.

The association is urging the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency not to increase the energy star requirements beyond six stars.

A department report suggests that while further improvements may not be required for the thermal shell of new-build developments, there may be a need to further improve the energy saving capabilities of fixed appliances and renewable energy sources on site.

Mr Harnisch said: "People are welcome to go beyond the six stars, but the mandatory level imposed on new home buyers should not increase beyond that," he said.

He added that the Department’s draft National Building Energy Standard-Setting, Assessment and Rating Framework reiterated the building industry's concerns about the minimum requirements for new homes.

There are still lots of existing homes which need to be targeted for refits to improve energy efficiency, he said.