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\n By\u00a0
\n Bronwyn Adams
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\n Amanda Dunne<\/a>
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\n 10 December 2025
\n 3 min read \n<\/p>\n
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Key points
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\n Check your home’s energy-efficiency rating and compare it nationwide.
\n Your rating is the first step towards improving comfort and cutting costs and emissions.
\n Help improve the Energy Rating Finder by sharing your feedback.
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Ever wondered how energy efficient your home is?<\/p>\n
CSIRO’s new Energy Rating Finder<\/a> puts the power in your hands. It indicates the energy performance of your home\u2019s thermal shell \u2013 the walls, floors, roof, windows and insulation. These features influence how much energy it takes to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s like an appliance star label, but for your home.<\/p>\n If your address doesn’t appear in the database, your home may not have an energy rating yet. But don’t worry, there are other ways to estimate its efficiency\u00a0\u2013 we’ll get to that shortly.<\/p>\n
A win for people and the planet<\/p>\n CSIRO data scientist and platform developer Melissa James<\/a>, said the goal was to make energy performance information accessible.\u00a0<\/p>\n “The system is easy to use \u2013\u00a0simply enter an address, and if data is available, you’ll receive an energy-efficiency rating out of ten,” Melissa said.<\/p>\n A zero-star home offers little protection from external temperatures, while a ten-star home stays comfortable with minimal, if any heating or cooling.<\/p>\n You can also search by postcode or street name to help locate the address you’re interested in and view its energy-efficiency rating. Melissa hopes this data sparks curiosity and encourages upgrades.<\/p>\n “We want people to see how their home rates and start thinking about what changes could make a difference,” Melissa said.<\/p>\n \u201cEnergy-efficient homes use less power, cost less to heat and cool and are more comfortable to live in.<\/p>\n “They also produce fewer carbon emissions, which is better for the planet. In addition, energy-efficient homes can help reduce energy infrastructure costs by lowering overall demand,” she said.<\/p>\n Powered by a decade of data<\/p>\n The Energy Rating Finder includes headline certificate data from the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme<\/a> (NatHERS) providing a snapshot of your home’s energy performance – watch this video to learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n “All new homes and many undergoing major renovations must demonstrate that they meet the minimum standard specified under the building regulations (currently seven stars for most states). Most do this using software accredited by NatHERS,” Melissa said.<\/p>\n
Average ratings have improved dramatically since the standard was\u00a0established in 2003, from 1.8 stars for older homes to seven stars for most new builds in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n Melissa cautioned that not all properties are included in the database.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cCSIRO has been collecting this data since 2016, so only homes built or renovated after this date and assessed using NatHERS \u2013 which accounts for 80 per cent of assessments nationwide, will appear in the system,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n NatHERS is also\u00a0expanding NatHERS assessments to existing homes<\/a>.\u00a0Eventually this data may be included in the Energy Rating Finder.<\/p>\n \nIf your property isn\u2019t covered, try RapidRate<\/a>, a CSIRO tool that estimates your home\u2019s energy efficiency using basic information.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Together, these resources give Australians more insight into home energy performance than ever before.\u00a0<\/p>\n Have your say<\/p>\n CSIRO is inviting feedback on the Energy Rating Finder: Tell us what you think<\/a><\/p>\n You can easily opt-out if you don’t want your property’s data shown publicly: Find out more<\/a> Thinking about improving your home’s energy efficiency?\u00a0Melissa said performance depends on many factors, from insulation and window design to shading and ventilation. Even roof colour matters.\u00a0<\/p>\n So what impacts your home’s energy rating?<\/p>\n
For example, CSIRO\u2019s Dr Mahsan Sadeghi found that dark roofs absorb and retain heat, creating urban heat islands<\/a>.<\/p>\n While structural changes are easiest during building or renovating, CSIRO offers tips for keeping older houses warm<\/a> or cool<\/a> without major work.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n ![\"Aerial](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iStock-2157903971-aerial-residential.jpg\")
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\n Your home\u2019s thermal shell \u2013 walls, roof, floors, windows, and insulation \u2013 plays a big role in energy performance and comfort.\u201d
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\n ![\"Home](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iStock-502011582-home-construction.jpg\")
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\n Building for efficiency: New builds and major renovations must meet a 7-star rating, assessed using NatHERS-accredited software.
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\n \u00a9\u00a0
\nJandrie Lombard
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\nAmp up your home’s energy efficiency<\/p>\n
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\n ![\"Infographic](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Energy-Rating-Finder-infographic.png\")
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\n From windows to insulation, a range of factors influence your home’s NatHERS star rating.
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