If you're serious about designing a home that’s guaranteed to be ultra-efficient, comfortable, and cost-effective… then you absolutely must follow these foolproof tips!

We’ve compiled the top expert-approved design strategies to ensure your home reaches the highest possible energy rating. So grab a pen and start taking notes—your dream sustainable home awaits!

1️⃣ Install Only the Minimum Required Insulation

Why go overboard with insulation? Stick to the bare minimum—it’s cheaper upfront!

2️⃣ Choose the Cheapest Possible Glazing

Who needs double or triple glazing? Single-glazed aluminium windows are the way to go!

3️⃣ Build as Large as Possible

A bigger home obviously requires less energy to heat and cool… right? (Don’t think too hard about it, just trust us.) Sprawling, open-plan designs with endless unused rooms are definitely the way to go.

4️⃣ Maximise West-Facing Windows—Without Eaves or Shading!

Love the idea of your home transforming into a sauna every afternoon? Then make sure to install plenty of massive west-facing windows—no eaves, no awnings, no shade!

5️⃣ Skylights, Skylights, Skylights!

Flood your home with sunlight by installing as many skylights as possible. Natural light is great, so why not take it to the extreme? Even better—glazed roofing! (Who needs a solid roof, anyway?)

6️⃣ Keep All Living Areas Shady

Position your main living areas away from any winter sun. North-facing windows? Pfft, what a waste! Make sure your lounge room is in eternal shade, so you can enjoy that classic “ gloomy” aesthetic all year round.

7️⃣ Use Floor-to-Ceiling Glazing Everywhere

Nothing screams “energy efficiency” like walls made of glass! The more floor-to-ceiling windows you have, the better.

8️⃣ Install a Massive Gas Ducted Heating System

Renewable energy? Heat pumps? No thanks. A huge gas-ducted heating system is the only way to stay warm.

9️⃣ Design a Roof With Complex Angles and Little Solar Panel Space

Thinking of future-proofing your home with solar panels? Don’t! Instead, design a roof with as many awkward angles and tiny sections as possible, so there’s no room for solar at all. You want a design that looks stunning after all.

🔟 Seal Every Possible Draught—Except the Big Ones

Sure, airtightness is important, but don’t seal everything! Leave a few mystery gaps around windows, doors, and ceilings. Surprise ventilation = free air conditioning!

11️⃣ Love Dark Colours? Go All In!

Dark roofs and dark claddings are perfect if you want your home to be nice and toasty all year round. Who needs passive cooling when your house can absorb all the heat from the sun? Embrace the oven-like effect—it’s free heating!

12️⃣ Steel Frames Are the Way to Go!

Steel frames are much more durable than timber, so just ignore all that talk about condensation issues. Who cares about potential moisture problems when you can have an indestructible metal skeleton for your house?

13️⃣ High Ceilings Everywhere!

The higher the ceilings, the better! A grand, raked ceiling creates an incredible sense of space, and if you have a huge gas-ducted heating system, you can keep your heater running all day to stay warm. Problem solved!

14️⃣ Don’t Waste Money on LED Lights or Energy-Efficient Appliances

Who needs energy-efficient appliances? You just have to remember to switch them off when not in use—simple! Forget LED lighting and just use traditional incandescent bulbs.

15️⃣ Stay Connected to Gas—It’s Cheaper!

Don’t fall for the renewable energy hype—gas is way cheaper than solar power, electricity, or batteries. Why waste money on self-sufficiency when you can just keep paying gas bills forever? Smart thinking!

Alright, you’ve probably figured it out by now—this guide was our little April Fools’ prank! In reality, this is more of a what not to do list.

Sure, we exaggerated (just a little), and most designers and architects today understand the basics of sustainable design and what it takes to achieve a 7-star home or beyond. But here’s the surprising part—every single one of these mistakes is inspired by real-life examples.

We asked our energy rating team at efficient habitat about the most common pitfalls they encounter when preparing energy ratings, and these were the biggest culprits. So while some of these might seem over the top, you’d be surprised how often they actually show up in home designs in one way or another!

Want to make sure your home doesn’t fall into these traps? Get in touch with us today—we’d love to help you design a home that’s genuinely comfortable, efficient, and future-proof. ✅

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