Does size matter when you’re building a 7 star home?

Learn what you need to know about the size of your home, and achieving 7 stars, with Jeremy Spencer from Positive Footprints.

We also discuss related changes in the National Construction Code regarding thermal bridging, underslab insulation and ventilation.

This episode is part of a special series on the National Construction Code, and NCC 2022.

Listen to the episode now.

Hello! This is episode 295, and in it, I’m continuing my conversation with Jeremy Spencer, builder, thermal performance assessor and co-owner at Positive Footprints. 

This is Part 3 of my interview with Jeremy. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, head back to Episode 293, and have a listen to it, or download the free PDF transcript.

And if you haven’t listened to Part 2, then head to Episode 294 to learn all about the ‘Whole of Home’ Rating Scheme and what you need to know to achieve 7 stars. Jeremy steps us through it in a lot of detail.

In this episode, you’ll learn about how the size of your home may impact your star rating, and what to know in this regard. 

We’ll also look at related changes in the code regarding thermal bridging, underslab insulation, and ventilation. 

Jeremy will share with us some exciting news about the new venture he and the founding members of Builders Declare have been working on, and also what’s happening with Design Matters’ True Zero Carbon Challenge as well.

Jeremy Spencer is a long time builder, thermal performance assessor, and co-director with his wife Chi Lu at Design & Building company Positive Footprints. 

Positive Footprints is a multi award winning construction company, dedicated to making high performance sustainable homes and renovations easy to achieve and affordable. 

As an educator, and in his many roles in industry organisations such as Design Matters and the Sustainable Builders Alliance, he is passionate about making low carbon, sustainable housing a mainstream reality in the residential sector.

I want to say a massive thank you to Jeremy. Not only for what he shares here, but for the tireless work he does in educating homeowners and industry professionals to achieve better quality, more energy efficient and more sustainable outcomes in their future homes.

We really are so fortunate to have him share his wisdom and knowledge with us so generously. I’m so glad he’s able to be part of this series on the NCC2022 updates.

Let’s jump into Part 3 of my conversation with Jeremy.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE NOW.

RESOURCES:

Please note, the links to some of these pages may be out of date or superseded as the NCC2022 adoption occurs, or (later) the NCC2022 is superseded by newer legislation.

National Construction Code 2022 >>> https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022

NCC2022 state and territory adoption dates >>> https://abcb.gov.au/ncc-2022-state-and-territory-adoption-dates

NCC 2022 overview of key changes: articles >>> https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-2022-overview-key-changes-articles

Find out more about Jeremy and Positive Footprints here >>> https://www.positivefootprints.com.au/

This is a general guide to ratings:

• a 0-star rated home is quite uncomfortable – too hot in summer and too cold in winter. It will require a lot of energy to heat and cool.
• a home reaching a 7-star rating will need some mechanical heating and cooling to keep it comfortable to live in.
• a 10-star home is very energy efficient. It will remain comfortable year-round, with limited, or no mechanical cooling or heating.

A great PDF produced by the ABCB on the Residential Energy Efficiency Upgrades >>> https://abcb.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/2022/NCC-2022-Residential-Energy-Efficiency-Overview-of-Provisions.pdf

Builders Declare Instagram (Now Sustainable Builders Alliance) >>> https://www.instagram.com/sustainablebuildersalliance/

The Sustainable Builders Alliance Website >>> www.theSBA.com.au

Net Zero Homes – Skills Training >>> https://netzeroenergybuilder.com.au/netzero/net-zero-homes-skills-training

Free information session produced by Builders Declare called “Great, all houses now need to reach 7 stars……but what now?”

>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKEdBE4FJ2I

Free information on the Builders Declare YouTube called “Acing 7 Stars” 

>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XhW8T1KjoM

Top Tips for Building for 7 Stars (Australian Government) >>> https://www.nathers.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-09/22726_Nathers_Newsletter.pdf

Listen to Jeremy’s previous episodes on the podcast:

>>> Episode 232 ‘Building Carbon Zero Homes’ https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-carbon-zero-homes-jeremy-spencer-positive-footprints/

>>> Episode 233 ‘Choosing a Sustainable Builder’ https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-choosing-a-sustainable-builder-jeremy-spencer-positive-footprints/

>>> Episode 293 ‘7 Star Homes’ https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-7-star-homes-jeremy-spencer-positive-footprints/

>>> Episode 294 ‘Whole of Home Rating Scheme’ https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-whole-of-home-rating-scheme-jeremy-spencer-positive-footprints/

Hear more about Jeremy’s story on the Sustainable Builders Yak podcast here >>> https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ZYzh5BScMtLH1tEIuEqCV?si=Qyl5FSwSRXGl–uGZoS2qg

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program, HOME METHOD >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/

Learn more about how to interview and select the right builder with the Choose Your Builder mini-course >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/choose-your-builder

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan