At Metricon, we understand that good design is the sum of many parts, and for over 47 years, our mission has been to create homes where you truly love to live.
As Australia strives for net zero emissions by 2050, changes are underway in how we build and live in our homes. The updates to the National Construction Code (NCC) will prioritise energy efficiency, livability, resilience to climate change, and overall healthier living spaces. Sustainable homes not only benefit the environment but also lower energy costs. Additionally, enhanced accessibility ensures that homes are easier to navigate and adapt to future needs.
Whether you're considering building a new home or renovating an existing one, these changes will impact you.
At Metricon we have been working hard to ensure all our homes meet the new NCC standards, while upholding the design credentials we're renowned for.
Four key areas are affected from May 1, 2024.
The upgrade to a 7-Star energy rating for new homes promises increased comfort year-round, with homes naturally staying cooler in summer and warmer in winter, all while reducing overall energy consumption. Achieving thermal comfort involves harnessing the sun's heating energy in winter while minimising heat gains in summer. This improvement includes enhanced insulation, ventilation, strategic placement of and glazing to windows, breeze paths, and considered shading.
At Metricon, we prioritise climate-sensitive design and have an extensive catalogue of homes to capture all orientations, ensuring we deliver the most efficient and comfortable home for your lifestyle. Whether selecting the ideal layout for your block or optimising block orientation for your dream design, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
This new requirement focuses on the overall energy usage of your new home, taking into account key factors such as the energy consumption of heating, cooling, and key appliances. The goal is to ensure that your new home is not only more energy-efficient but also more cost-effective to operate. Additionally, it considers the balance between how much energy your home uses versus the energy your home generates.
The updated National Construction Code introduces higher standards for livability and accessibility, ensuring that homes are safer, more comfortable, and easier to access for all individuals. These improvements include features such as step-free dwelling access, wider internal doors and hallways, ground-level toilets with increased circulation space, step-free showers for enhanced mobility, and reinforced walls around selected key areas like toilets, showers, and baths to facilitate easy installation of grab rails if required in the future.
Management of condensation and a healthy living environment is crucial for both your family's well-being and the long-term structural durability of the home. With the release of higher ventilation standards in the National Construction Code 2022, homes will benefit from reduced internal moisture (humidity), condensation, and mould, and deliver enhanced indoor air quality.
In Victoria, we currently have two display homes that meet the new 7-Star standards, allowing you to visit and experience the difference firsthand at Redstone Estate in Sunbury. Additionally, we currently have three more display centres under construction in Kalkallo, Freshwater Creek, and Truganina.
The cost of building a NCC-compliant home will be unique to each customer, depending on factors such as the size of your build, the climate zone you reside in, and the orientation of your block. Our team of New Home Advisors are dedicated to collaborating with you to create a home that meets NCC standards, reduces ongoing living expenses, aligns with your budget and requirements, and provides a healthier and more thermally comfortable living space for your family.
For more information about the NCC 2022 changes and how this will impact your build, contact our friendly team today or visit the National Construction Code website below.
