Cost benefit analysis of simulated thermal energy improvements made to existing older South Australian houses

Abstract

Since 2010/2011 changes to the national construction code require newly constructed houses to perform at a minimum Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) energy rating of 6 stars (or BASIX equivalent in NSW), which determines the predicted thermal energy a house requires to maintain thermal comfort, given its location. This initiative aims to improve the energy performance of new housing stock in the residential sector, however, many existing houses were built before the introduction of these regulations. These houses account for the vast bulk of the nation's housing stock and are shown by studies to achieve low star ratings and can require significantly higher amounts of thermal en..