Extract from - A Draft Plan to Save NSW Energy and Money..
Energy efficient homes There are 3 million homes in New South Wales that use around 18,500 gigawatt hours of electricity a year, or 27 per cent of total NSW use. In 2014–15, a typical NSW household paid, on average, around $1876 a year on electricity bills. Energy bills have a disproportionate impact on low-income households, where these costs can comprise a much higher share of a household’s income. This can lead to electricity disconnection or cutting back on other essentials. Many households don’t choose energy efficient options when making decisions about their home, because they don’t know about them, can’t afford them, don’t own their properties or have other priorities. These barriers can burden households with higher running costs over the lifetime of a product or dwelling. By promoting energy ratings and improving standards, we can encourage building owners to make improvements that unlock long-term energy savings. This will save households money, reduce bill stress and place downward pressure on the cost of living, particularly for vulnerable households. In July 2017, the NSW Government will implement amendments that will increase BASIX energy targets to the level recommended in the 2014 BASIX Target Review, including: 5.5 to 6 star equivalent thermal comfort performance for all building types typically 10 per cent increase in energy targets for houses and low rise units and typically 5 per cent increase in energy targets for mid and high rise units. This increase is estimated to drive energy savings of around 81 gigawatt hours a year in 2020, and deliver bill savings to NSW households of around $2.6 billion to 2050. The NSW Government is consulting on the following additional options that will help NSW households save energy and money.
The full document is here: https://engage.environment.nsw.gov.au/Environmental-Future-Consultation-Plan-to-Save-NSW-Energy-and-Money