Tougher seven-star energy efficiency standards are looming in Australia. 

State and territory building ministers are meeting this week to debate the details of a new regime to cut the thermal energy use of homes. 

The residential sector accounts for around a quarter of Australia’s electricity use and about 12 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. 

To drive carbon savings in the residential sector, the efficiency ratings of new homes could be lifted to seven stars.

“The previous government’s inaction on climate change and energy has left us with much to do,” says the federal assistant minister for climate change and energy, Jenny McAllister.

“Energy-efficient homes are more comfortable to live in, and cheaper to heat and cool. We want more Australians to have access to them.”

However, advocates warn that the new standard will not have a meaningful effect if they are not introduced as soon as possible. 

“In terms of emissions, it’s about 9m tonnes just from today until 2030,” Anna Skarbek, the chief executive of the Climateworks Centre, said of a possible delay. 

“That is the same as a brown coal power station in a year.”

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) says; “The priority should be the introduction of a whole-of-house assessment that provides homes owners with a more holistic approach to how they make their homes more efficient”.

“An evaluation of the current six-star standard has not been undertaken to gauge what savings in reduced emissions and reduced energy prices has occurred,” a spokesperson said.

Ministers will debate the timing for introducing the new standards at their next meeting.