whole of home assessments
Energy Efficiency Compliance for New Homes and Major Renovations in Victoria
Building or renovating in Victoria now involves more than ticking boxes on insulation and glazing. Under the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022, many residential projects must meet new energy efficiency requirements through a Whole of Home Assessment.
At Champion Energy Consulting, we help builders, designers, developers and homeowners across Victoria understand and achieve compliance using practical, cost-effective assessment strategies.
WHAT IS A WHOLE OF HOME ASSESSMENT?
A Whole of Home Assessment is a performance-based energy assessment required under NCC 2022 for certain Class 1 residential buildings in Victoria.
Unlike traditional thermal shell assessments that only focus on the building envelope, a Whole of Home Assessment considers the energy performance of the entire home, including:
- Heating and cooling systems
- Hot water systems
- Lighting
- Ventilation
- Pool and spa equipment
- On-site renewable energy systems such as solar PV
- The home’s overall annual energy use and emissions profile
The assessment produces a score out of 100, with homes needing to achieve the minimum Whole of Home target required under the NCC.
WHEN IS A WHOLE OF HOME ASSESSMENT REQUIRED IN VICTORIA?
In Victoria, a Whole of Home Assessment is generally required for:
- New Class 1 homes
- Significant residential alterations and additions where NCC 2022 applies
- Projects using the NCC 2022 energy efficiency pathway
- Homes requiring compliance for building permit approval
The assessment forms part of the broader 7-Star NatHERS and energy efficiency requirements introduced under NCC 2022.
Requirements can vary depending on:
- The type of building work
- The permit application date
- Whether transitional arrangements apply
- The local building surveyor’s requirements
what does the assessment include?
A Victorian Whole of Home Assessment typically reviews:
- Insulation levels
- Roof and wall construction
- Window and glazing performance
- Airtightness and shading
- Heating and cooling efficiency
- Hot water system type and efficiency
- Lighting efficiency
- Mechanical ventilation systems
- Solar PV systems
- Battery storage (where applicable)
Our software models the home’s estimated annual energy consumption and compares it against NCC performance targets.
WHY WHOLE OF HOME ASSESSMENTS MATTER
The goal of the NCC 2022 changes is to improve:
- Household energy efficiency
- Occupant comfort
- Long-term running costs
- Grid resilience
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
For homeowners, this can mean:
- Lower power bills
- Improved thermal comfort
- Reduced reliance on heating and cooling
- Better long-term property performance
For builders and designers, early assessment can help avoid redesign costs and permit delays.
Common Issues That Cause Compliance Problems
We regularly see Victorian projects run into issues such as:
- Heating or cooling systems exceeding energy budgets
- Inefficient hot water systems
- Glazing selections that impact performance targets
- Lack of coordination between architectural and services design
- Late-stage design changes affecting compliance
- Solar system assumptions not matching final specifications
A home can achieve a strong NatHERS thermal rating and still fail the Whole of Home requirement if the fixed services and appliances are not efficient enough.
our WHOLE OF HOME ASSESSMENT SERVICE
At Champion Energy Consulting we provide a range of services to help you meet NCC 2022 compliance requirements
Whole of Home Assessments for Victorian residential projects
NCC 2022 compliance advice
NatHERS COORDINATION SUPPORT
Design-stage performance optimisation
Builder and designer consultation
Assessment reports for building permit applications
WE WORK WITH
home owners
builders
draftspersons
architects
developers
Why work with Champion Energy Consulting?
At Champion Energy Consulting we pride ourselves on fast turnaround times. We provide clear, practical advice with no unnecessary complexity. We are solely focussed on getting your project approved. We understand how to balance compliance with real world construction.
What you'll need to get started
To complete your Whole of Home Assessment, we generally require:
- Architectural Plans
- Floor plans and elevations
- Window schedules
- Construction specifications
- Insulation details
- Heating and cooling specifications
- Hot water system details
- Solar PV specifications (if applicable)
If some selections are still pending, we can often provide preliminary guidance to help avoid costly redesigns later.
Common Questions
Is a Whole of Home Assessment the same as a NatHERS assessment?
No. NatHERS focuses primarily on the thermal performance of the building shell, while a Whole of Home Assessment also includes fixed appliances, hot water, lighting, solar and energy use calculations.
Do all Victorian homes need a Whole of Home Assessment?
Not necessarily. Requirements depend on the project type, permit timing and applicable NCC provisions.
Can solar panels help pass the assessment?
Yes. Solar PV systems can contribute positively to the home’s Whole of Home score.
Can you help improve a failing result?
Yes. We can often suggest practical specification changes that improve compliance without requiring major redesigns.
Is this required for building permit approval?
In many cases, yes. Building surveyors may require supporting compliance documentation before issuing permits.
NEED A WHOLE OF HOME ASSESSMENT IN VICTORIA?
Whether you’re designing a new home, preparing permit documentation or trying to solve a compliance issue, Champion Energy Consulting can help guide the process clearly and efficiently.
Contact us to discuss your Victorian residential project and obtain a Whole of Home Assessment tailored to NCC 2022 requirements.