Changes to the thermal performance requirements for buildings in the new National Construction Code 2022 might have caused consternation in some circles, but the industry says it is ready to meet them with ease.

Among other new provisions, the code will require that new residences (Class 1 buildings, Class 2 sole-occupancy, and Class 4 parts of buildings) are built to a 7-star NatHERS rating, upgraded from a 6-star standard.

Design and construction practitioners, and developers, say that the costs of the new thermal performance standards should be negligible, as long as residences are oriented north to maximise sunlight. However, volume builders must modify their business model to reduce costs.