Property owners urged to add green value

20 May 2010

Melbourne company Energy Makeovers is encouraging homeowners to boost the energy efficiency and market value of their properties ahead of changes to energy efficiency disclosure rules next year.

With the Victorian Government currently drafting new disclosure rules for the benefit of potential buyers and tenants, in line with a process planned for the whole of Australia, it is anticipated that mandatory disclosure of energy efficiency ratings will be introduced in Victoria after May 2011.

The result could be a spike in demand for services provided by companies like Energy Makeovers, as properties for sale or rent find themselves required to show an energy efficiency rating performed by an accredited assessor.

"Currently, about 1.8 million existing homes in Victoria have an energy efficiency rating of less than 2½ stars (out of 10) - significantly lower than the 40,000 new homes built each year to a minimum standard of 5 stars. This shows that there is room for much improvement in existing homes that could allow them to compete better in the housing market and make them more comfortable to live in," a statement from Energy Makeovers confirms.

A recent study in the ACT found that good energy efficiency ratings lead to high sale prices for properties. The cost involved in making an energy improvement may also be markedly less than the capital value boost resulting from the makeover.

With a goal of ‘Zero by 2020', meaning zero net emissions, zero discomfort, Energy Makeovers was established in June 2008. The company's core driver is to reduce carbon emissions from existing residential and commercial buildings, thereby contributing to climate change prevention and shift towards a sustainable society.

Energy Makeovers is a state and nationally-accredited home sustainability assessor and building thermal performance assessor with Sustainability Victoria and the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA). The company is also a member of the Master Builders Association of Victoria (MBAV).

Energy Makeovers will showcase its suite of services at the Master Builders' Building & Home Improvement Expo from 9-11 July at Melbourne Exhibition Centre.


www.energymakeovers.com.au

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