Department of the Chief Minister

Green homes for the Territory

16 Feb 2010

The Territory will be cleaner and greener with all new homes required to meet a five-star energy efficiency rating as of May this year.

This will mean homes use less energy to keep cool, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This is part of the Territory Government’s commitment to reduce the Territory’s greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2050.

New homes will require increased glazing, increased shading through the extension of eaves, and smarter lot orientation to capture natural breezes and maximise energy efficiency.

The cost of bringing a new home to a five-star rating is expected to be minimal, and, as the new homes will be cooler in the heat and warmer in the cold, over the long term, costs will be offset by the savings in energy use.

To find out about other simple things you can do to reduce your energy usage or to read the Territory Government’s Climate Change Policy, visit www.greeningnt.nt.gov.au