At Gemini Homes, we take pride in designing and building homes that are not only beautiful but also energy-efficient and built for comfort. Every Gemini home meets the 7-Star Energy Rating standard, ensuring lower energy costs, improved indoor comfort, and a more sustainable lifestyle.
What Is an Energy Rating?
An Energy or Thermal Efficiency star rating indicates how well a home maintains a comfortable indoor temperature with minimal heating or cooling. Assessed by a NatHERS-accredited assessor, the rating is based on a home’s ability to preserve energy, not its actual energy consumption (which depends on appliances and usage).
With a 7-Star Energy Rating, Gemini Homes ensures that each home requires less artificial heating and cooling, providing lower energy expenses and a healthier living environment.
What Do the Stars Represent in the NatHERS Rating?
The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) measures energy efficiency on a 0 to 10-star scale:
- 0-Star Home – Offers no insulation, making it as hot or cold as the outside temperature.
- 6-Star Home – Previously the minimum energy efficiency standard, requiring moderate heating and cooling.
- 7-Star Home – Uses passive design to naturally regulate indoor temperatures, significantly reducing energy use.
The higher the rating, the less energy is needed to maintain a comfortable indoor environment, leading to lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint.
How Gemini Homes Achieves a 7-Star Energy Rating
1. Built for Mackay’s Climate Using Concrete Masonry
All Gemini Homes are designed specifically for the North and constructed with concrete masonry, which provides superior thermal mass. This means homes stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter, reducing reliance on air conditioning.
2. Optimised Home Orientation
Living areas are designed to maximise natural light from the north, reducing heating needs in winter while incorporating shading to keep the home cool in summer.
3. Roof Insulation for Thermal Efficiency
Gemini Homes include roof insulation to help regulate indoor temperatures, minimising heat loss in winter and reducing heat gain in summer.
4. High-Performance Glazing with Grey Glass
Rather than double-glazing or tinting, grey glass is used throughout all homes to reduce glare and heat gain, improving indoor comfort without sacrificing natural light.
5. Natural Ventilation & Shading
- Windows and doorways are strategically placed to allow cross-ventilation, promoting natural cooling.
- Wide eaves and awnings provide shading, preventing excessive heat absorption.
6. Minimum 2.6m Ceilings for Better Airflow
Every Gemini home features minimum 2.6m ceilings, allowing better air circulation and enhancing the spacious, comfortable feel of the home.
7. Ceiling Fans in Living Areas, Bedrooms & Outdoor Entertaining Areas
Ceiling fans are included in all living areas, bedrooms, and outdoor entertaining areas, improving air movement and providing natural cooling, reducing the need for air conditioning.
8. Solar Power System (3.6kW, Upgradable)
Every Gemini home comes with a 3.6kW solar power system, which can be upgraded for greater energy savings, helping to further reduce electricity costs.
9. Wheelchair Accessibility in Every Home
Gemini Homes are designed for everyone, ensuring that every home is fully wheelchair accessible, making them both functional and future-proof.
Why Choose a 7-Star Energy Rated Home?
By choosing a 7-star energy-efficient home from Gemini Homes, you benefit from:
✔ Lower electricity bills – Less reliance on air conditioning and heating.
✔ A healthier indoor environment – Natural ventilation improves air quality.
✔ Sustainable living – Reducing your carbon footprint.
✔ Increased property value – Energy-efficient homes are more attractive to buyers.
Build Your Future with Gemini Homes
Our homes are designed to be comfortable, sustainable, and energy-efficient, built with concrete masonry, higher ceilings, and smart passive design for superior performance in Mackay’s climate.
Contact Gemini Homes today to learn more about our 7-star energy-rated home designs and how we can build your energy-efficient dream home!
