Take the guesswork out of effi ciency

TAKE THE GUESSWORK out of efficiency

POSSIBLE CHANGES TO COMPULSORY ENERGY RATINGS FOR NEW HOMES MEANS YOU NEED A DESIGN TEAM WILLING TO GO THE EXTRA MILE TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING GOES TO PLAN.

STORY: CAITLYN GRANT

As the world crawls toward a netzero standard, Carl and Trevor Webster will be there to make building your home all the easier — and more efficient. With Carl at the helm of Webster Designs and Trevor at Webster Energy Ratings of Kyabram, the brothers work collaboratively on ensuring homes across the whole of Victoria are built to the highest standard. In forecast changes to the National Construction Code, the Victorian Government is steering toward enforcing a 7-star efficiency rating for homes being newly built or to extensions, up from the current 6-star regulation. Though the move is yet to be approved, the Webster brothers are ahead of the curve when it comes to efficiency. And while they admit it will change the way houses are built and designed, they’ve learnt all the programs and resources available, all to make their customers’ building process all the smoother. “It’s basically a re-education for design professionals and builders as well,” Carl said. “Now when a client comes in, we’ll do the design for them, we’re going to position it on the block and do an energy rating from the word go. “So before it ever goes to the client, we’ll have a 7-star rating.” In order to ensure the rating, Carl said houses would be modelled through pilot program Whole-of-Home Pilot Tool and must receive a minimum benchmark to achieve rating as a net

Trevor Webster of Webster Energy Ratings and Carl Webster of Webster Designs.

zero carbon house. The tool shows how energy efficient the house will be, calculating an energy rating through heating and cooling, cooking equipment, water heating, lighting, solar panel and battery storage. Carl said the resulting report gives a breakdown of each house in megajoules and costs per year. A recent report showed a predicted energy cost of $1030 per year. “If you design it right in the early stages by incorporating those design factors into your house, you can avoid having to have expensive components,” he said. “It’s going to make people think about not just the design, but what appliances they put in to make their house more efficient and run better.” Webster Designs and Webster Energy Ratings service the whole of Victoria.

To get in contact with Webster Designs, call Carl on 0409 527 272 or for Webster Energy Ratings, call Trevor on 0439 887 350.

ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTING SERVICE

LOOKING TO BUILD A NEW HOME OR EXTEND YOUR EXISTING HOME? Specialising in all. • House plan designs, extensions, renovations and smaller projects such as carports and pergolas.

WHAT IS YOUR HOME ENERGY RATING?

• All new homes in Victoria require a minimum 7-10 star energy rating. • Net Zero Carbon Housing with a 7 star energy rating. • Based on your construction plans we are able to provide and advise you on achieving the correct energy rating for your new home. • Complete report and rating certificate provided.

GUARANTEED PERSONALISED QUALITY SERVICE

WEBSTER DESIGNS

0409 527 272 www.websterdesigns.com.au

WEBSTER ENERGY RATINGS

Thermal Performance Assessor 0439 887 350