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The challenge

Using energy more efficiently where we live

It is becoming more expensive to keep the buildings we live in warm or cool to match the seasons, heat water and cook food, light up rooms, watch our favourite shows, and pursue our work and hobbies.

The award-winning, energy efficient renovation to Vasey House, by LightHouse. Pictured is open-plan kitchen and living room. Image: Ben Wrigley
The award-winning, energy efficient renovation to Vasey House, by LightHouse. Image: Ben Wrigley

We need to be more efficient — Australian households are responsible for a significant chunk of energy use and carbon emissions. But we can do much better.

Our response

Tackling energy efficiency from every angle

In response, CSIRO has been working on a wide range of research projects, with impacts on the ways we assess housing designs and materials across the country and in our own backyards, choose appliances, keep in warm or cool air, keep out moisture and ventilate closed spaces. We've been monitoring how our behaviours around energy use are changing in response to new information and incentives.

Rising star value in the home

The Building Simulation Assessment and Communication team is behind the Australian Housing Data portal, where you can read the latest energy rating newsletter and sign up to get the newsletter delivered to your inbox.

Explore the energy rating dashboards, developed by CSIRO to help all stakeholders understand our progress towards energy-efficient, low-emission residences.

The dashboards cover energy ratings by location and climate zone, design and construction, fixtures and appliances, and a range of other aspects of residential buildings, supported by data from the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). 

Contacts for Building Simulation Assessment and Communication team

Mr Anthony Wright

Team Leader - Building Energy Efficiency (ENERGY)

Energy-efficient living case studies

  • Apartments, townhouses, cottage, terraces and mansions. Many of our homes could benefit from improvements to make them more energy efficient, but what will give us the best bang for our buck? Renovating or rebuilding?

  • Residential energy efficiency can help us meet emissions reduction targets. More energy-efficient housing also brings health and economic benefits to residents and the wider community. We are interested in the ways that builders understand and work with energy efficiency requirements.

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