Improving your rating

Home Energy Rating and Star Rating complement each other. They measure two different, but equally important aspects of your home, helping build a comprehensive picture of energy efficiency, comfort and running costs.  

Improving your home’s energy efficiency can increase both your Home Energy Rating and Star Rating, as well as making it more comfortable, more affordable to run and better prepared for extreme weather. While the two complementary ratings measure different aspects of performance, upgrades often benefit both. The key is knowing where to start, and what will have the biggest impact.

Increasing your Home Energy Rating

A Home Energy Rating assessment shows how much energy your home uses for everyday living, including heating, cooling, hot water, lighting and pool or spa pumps, as well as any energy it generates through solar systems and stores in batteries. Upgrading appliances, improving energy efficiency, and reducing overall energy use can significantly lift your rating. Each improvement – whether big or small – helps move your home towards a higher rating while increasing long-term comfort, value, and resilience.

Ways to improve your Home Energy Rating

1. Quick wins – swap all lighting to LED, seal gaps, install shading and improve window coverings by using heavy curtains or cellular blinds.  
2. Medium steps – install a heat pump hot water system, upgrade to efficient heating and cooling, add or upgrade insulation in ceilings, floors, and walls.
3. Major upgrades – add solar panels and/or battery storage, upgrade to double glazed windows.
4. When renovating – add to the above by considering how design elements such as orientation, shading, window placement, and insulation can reduce energy use.

Increasing your Star Rating

Star Rating measures how well your home’s thermal shell (the walls, floors, roof, windows, and insulation) maintains comfortable temperatures with minimal heating or cooling.  

Ways to improve your Star Rating

1. Quick wins – seal gaps around doors and windows, install shading and improve window coverings by using heavy curtains or cellular blinds.
2. Medium steps – add or upgrade insulation in ceilings, floors and walls, add ceiling fans.  
3. Major upgrades – upgrade to double glazed windows.
4. When renovating – add to the above by considering how design elements such as orientation, shading, window placement, and insulation can reduce energy use.