If you’re planning to build a new home on the Surf Coast, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about the new 7-star energy efficiency requirement. It’s one of the latest updates to the National Construction Code, and in some cases, Builders are positioning it as a major selling point. 

But here’s what you need to know: 7-star is just the new minimum, not the finish line. Treating it like the gold standard could cost you long-term comfort, higher energy bills, and missed opportunities for better performance. 

Let’s unpack why aiming for 7-star as the goal is a short-term mindset—and what smarter home builders are doing instead. 

What 7-Star Really Means (And Why It’s Not Enough) 

The 7-star rating system, specifically under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is based on how much energy your home is predicted to use for heating and cooling. Achieving this rating means your home has made some progress in terms of insulation, glazing, orientation, and design since the elevation from the 6-star rating in May 2024. 

That’s a good start. But here’s the reality: 

• The rating is based on software predictions, not real-world comfort 
• It doesn’t measure air quality, internal temperature stability, or running costs 
• It still allows for energy loss, air leakage, and seasonal discomfort 

A 7-star home may meet code, but for families in areas like Torquay, Jan Juc and Anglesea, it often doesn’t go far enough. You can still end up with cold bedrooms in winter, stuffy lounges in summer, and rising energy bills you didn’t budget for. 

Let’s talk High Performance  

If 7-star is the floor, high performance is the goal—and the best way to reach it is by borrowing from the science-backed principles of Passive House design. We’re not talking about getting carried away with ticking boxes or chasing certification. We’re simply talking about building better homes that perform in the real world. 

High performance homes apply the key ideas behind Passive House—airtight construction, continuous insulation, passive solar orientation, and high-quality ventilation—to deliver outstanding results in comfort, energy efficiency, and durability. 

That means: 

• Even indoor temperatures from room to room, season to season 
• Lower energy bills – Thanks to dramatically reduced heating and cooling needs 
• Healthier air quality  – filtered fresh air and fewer drafts 
• More resilient homes that feel calm, quiet, and comfortable all year 

On the Surf Coast, where weather can swing wildly between hot, cold, wet & windy, these benefits aren’t theoretical—they’re lived every day. 

It’s important to note that when introducing high performance principles, testing is a critical piece of the puzzle. It involves stepping beyond the 7-star NatHERS rating system and using tools like the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) to test how a home will perform, even before it’s built. This allows us to optimise comfort, efficiency, and energy use right from the design stage – guaranteeing your home delivers real world performance, not just promises. 

 What Surf Coast Homeowners Are Asking For 

The families we work with know what they want. By the time they come to us, they’ve usually done their research, downloaded our FREE eBook Building Better Homes , and started to understand what it takes to go beyond basic compliance. 

And many have been burned before—by vague advice, budget blowouts, or homes that never lived up to their promise. What they want now is clarity and confidence. 

Here’s what we’re hearing: 

“Our current home is technically rated 7-star, but it still gets freezing in winter and stuffy in summer—we don’t want to go through that again”. 

“We’d rather make smart decisions and invest a little more now, than have regrets later on” 

“It’s not just about what it looks like—we want a Builder who understands how to make our home perform properly behind the walls too.”  

That’s where Passive House-inspired thinking comes in—because it’s not just about star ratings. It’s about how the home actually performs. 

Performance Is the New Luxury 

When this is your forever home, building to the minimum doesn’t cut it. For homeowners who value health, comfort, and low running costs, high performance is non-negotiable. 

By applying some of the Passive House principles—you gain control over how your home feels, how much it costs to run, and how well it lasts into the future. That’s what building better really means. 

Take the Next Step Towards a High Performance Hme  

Still comparing builders? Wondering what “above code” actually looks like in real homes? 

A Discovery Consultation is the perfect place to start. We use this no obligation phone consultation to walk you through the key design decisions that impact performance, comfort, and long-term value—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Because building better isn’t about perfection—it’s about making the right choices now, so your home delivers for years to come.