North Queensland’s tropical climate offers warm weather year-round, with occasional periods of wet weather in the monsoon season from late December to early April. For North Queensland homes, heat and humidity are the two biggest issues that homeowners have to contend with.

To create a space that feels naturally cool and comfortable without overworking the air conditioning, builders can use energy-efficiency principles like house orientation and window placement. If you are looking to build a home in North Queensland, here’s what you need to know about building with energy efficiency in mind.

The Energy Efficiency Requirement for North Queensland Homes

From May 2024, all new North Queensland homes must have a minimum 7 star thermal performance rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). 

The 7 star rating represents how well the house can handle the local climate without having to rely on air conditioning (or in other colder regions, heating). The rating looks at the energy it takes to keep the home at a livable temperature across the seasons.

The NatHERS uses specialised software to assess the thermal performance of the home’s design. The assessment takes into account insulation, how the home is positioned on the block, the size and placement of windows, ventilation, shading, and the transfer of heat between rooms. 

In North Queensland, where heat and humidity is a year-round issue, energy efficient home designs are the standard. Long gone are the old Queenslanders with poor insulation and minimal ventilation; today’s builders design homes to maximise airflow, create shaded areas, and prevent heat from becoming trapped in the roof. Energy efficiency is not just a box ticking exercise - it’s about building a home that makes sense for the tropical climate. 

Energy Efficient Designs for North Queensland Homes

Home orientation

During early mornings and late afternoons, the sun is low in the sky, causing sunlight to shine directly into the house and build up heat quickly. To limit harsh exposure from the sun, especially during the summer months, homes in North Queensland are built with a north-facing orientation. Windows on the eastern and western sides of the house are equipped with blinds or curtains to block intense sunlight from entering the living space.

Roof ventilation

The roof bears the brunt of the sun - without proper airflow, trapped heat can radiate into the living areas, making the entire home harder to keep cool. Ventilation is installed in the roof to allow cool air to flow into the roof space and push out hot air, keeping the roof space cooler and reducing the load on the cooling systems.

Insulation

Insulation on North Queensland properties is designed to keep heat out of the home by reflecting the sun’s rays. Reflective foil insulation under the roof and in external walls stops heat from getting into the living spaces. Lighter colours on the outside of the home also help to reflect more sunlight and minimise heat absorption.

Floor plan layout 

Narrow layouts with doors, windows, and hallways that line up help promote airflow indoors. In North Queensland, where summer temperatures sit between 30-32°C and humidity is high, cross ventilation can help a space feel more comfortable.

Ceiling fans and air conditioning 

Ceiling fans and air conditioning are standard in homes across North Queensland. When designing the home, builders consider where to put these appliances to get the most airflow out of cooling appliances.

Build an Energy-efficient Home With Keir Constructions

At Keir Constructions, we specialise in building homes in Townsville that are energy efficient for comfortable living. We are five-time recipients of the Housing Industry Association's award for North Queensland’s Most Professional Builder - proof of our expertise in designing and building quality homes that last.

If you are looking to build your next home in Townsville, we offer a wide range of house and land packages to suit any budget and lifestyle preferences. Get in touch with us or visit our display homes in Harris Crossing and NorthShore to see our work for yourself.