Balgownie Passivhaus

Balgownie Passivhaus is all about building high performing homes, better IAQ, and little to zero energy bills. It is the first of its kind for Australia.

Why Energy Efficiency Must Come First in Australia’s Net Zero Journey

Recent global reports are clear: the window to limit catastrophic climate change is closing rapidly. To stay within safe global temperature thresholds, emissions must fall sharply in the coming years. Here in Australia, the built environment plays a central role in our climate response—and reducing emissions from our buildings is one of the most powerful actions we can take.

Buildings are responsible for approximately 35% of global energy use, with heating, cooling and ventilation driving the majority of that demand. If we’re serious about achieving Net Zero targets, we must radically rethink how we design, construct and operate our buildings. Fortunately, we already have the tools we need.

Why Energy Efficiency First?

With many Australian states and cities targeting reduced emissions for new developments, efficiency must be the starting point. Standards like Passivhaus (or Passive House) offer a proven framework to reduce demand first—before turning to renewables to meet remaining needs.

The logic is simple: it’s more economical to save energy than to generate it. Adding insulation, improving airtightness, and using high-performance windows may not be as exciting as rooftop solar, but these improvements reduce heating and cooling loads dramatically—making Net Zero operation far more achievable.

Even as Australia’s energy grid decarbonises, we must still reduce peak demand. Without demand reduction or smart flexibility, the grid simply can’t deliver the electricity needed to heat and cool all buildings using renewables alone.

What Is Passivhaus and Why Does It Matter?

Passivhaus buildings are ultra-efficient. They use up to 90% less heating and cooling energy than standard buildings, and their performance is predictable and measurable. That means they’re well suited to Australia’s Net Zero emissions goals, particularly in regions with hot summers and high cooling loads.

Passivhaus Plus and Passivhaus Premium standards go a step further. They integrate on-site renewable energy generation and account for seasonal storage losses and performance gaps, making them ideal for developers or governments aiming to lead in climate action.

Key Benefits of a Fabric-First, Efficiency-Led Approach:

• Lower energy bills and operational costs

• Improved comfort and indoor air quality for occupants

• Enhanced resilience to extreme weather events

• Reduced strain on the national grid

• Support for long-term sustainability goals

Australia’s Opportunity

Australia has a chance to lead. By adopting performance-led building standards and putting efficiency first, we can meet our climate commitments and create healthier, lower-cost buildings for future generations. Whether you’re a developer, builder, facility manager or policy maker, the pathway is clear—and achievable.

At Compord, we’re committed to helping clients create buildings that perform. Whether it’s HVAC system upgrades, building envelope improvements, or integrated renewable energy design, we’re here to support Australia’s transition to a Net Zero future.

Contact us to learn how we can support your next sustainable building project.