What Is a Home Energy Scorecard Assessment—and Why Should You Get One?
If you’re looking to make your home more comfortable, reduce your energy bills, or find smart ways to invest in sustainable upgrades, a Victorian Residential Efficiency Scorecard Assessment is one of the best places to start.
Here’s everything you need to know about what the assessment involves—and how it can help you make informed, cost-effective decisions for your home.
What Is the Scorecard?
The Victorian Residential Efficiency Scorecard is a government-supported tool designed to assess how energy efficient your home’s fixed features are. Think of it as a “star rating” for your house, like what you see on appliances, but tailored to the thermal shell and major energy systems in your home.
It’s not about your household’s behaviour or energy usage—it's about the efficiency of the building itself.
What Does the Assessment Cover?
When I conduct a Scorecard assessment, I evaluate all the key components that impact your home's energy use and comfort, including:
- Insulation in your ceiling, walls, and underfloor (if accessible)
- Windows and glazing performance
- Draught sealing and ventilation
- Heating and cooling systems, including how efficient and well-zoned they are
- Hot water system type and placement
- Lighting, especially fixed lighting types
- Rooftop solar panels if already installed
We then input all this data into official Scorecard software, which generates a detailed report and star rating—from 0 to 10 stars.
What You’ll Receive
You don’t just get a number—you get insight.
Your Scorecard report will include:
- Your home’s overall energy efficiency star rating
- A comfort rating, showing how well your home maintains temperature across seasons
- A heating and cooling demand rating, revealing how much energy your systems typically use
- A list of personalised recommendations to improve efficiency, comfort, and cost-effectiveness
- Estimated potential savings if you implement upgrades
- Where applicable, advice on available rebates and incentives for Victorians
It’s a comprehensive, yet easy-to-understand tool to help you prioritise upgrades based on real data—not guesswork.
How Long Does It Take?
A typical on-site assessment takes around two to three hours, depending on the size and complexity of your home.
The software will generate an initial star rating on the spot and suggestions, from which we can discuss options based on your specific budget and needs & wants.
After the visit, I check the data again and create the final certificate which I send through to you within five working days.
It’s a low-stress, process where I walk you through what I’m checking and explain the findings.
Is This Just for Old Homes?
Not at all. Whether your house is 100 years old or just a few years new, there’s always value in understanding how it performs. Even modern builds sometimes lack proper draught sealing or efficient heating systems.
Planning a renovation? The Scorecard makes a great pre-renovation planning tool, helping you invest where it matters most and can have the most impact.
What About Solar?
If you already have solar panels, the Scorecard factors them into your report. If you’re thinking about installing solar, I can model the impact and guide you on whether it should be your next step—or if sealing and insulation might deliver better bang for your buck first.
The Scorecard helps you put solar into a strategic upgrade sequence, not just an isolated add-on.
The Scorecard enables you to incorporate solar energy as a strategic component within your overall upgrade plan, rather than treating it as a standalone addition.
Are There Any Rebates or Financial Support?
Yes! Many homeowners are eligible for rebates, discounts, or even interest-free loans under programs like Solar Victoria. These apply to items such as:
- Insulation
- Efficient heating and cooling
- Heat pump hot water systems
- Solar PV and batteries
During your Scorecard assessment, I can also flag which programs might apply to your situation and how to access them.
Is It a Sales Pitch?
No, I’m independent. My job is to assess, educate, and empower you with the knowledge to make the best choices for your home and budget. I do have very good affiliates who I work with, and all disclosures are made upfront about these.
You decide what to act on, when to act, and who to work with.
Why People Love It
Many clients tell me the biggest benefit is clarity. Instead of “maybe I should replace the windows” or “someone said we should get solar,” you have a clear, data-driven plan tailored to your home.
You’ll better understand:
- What’s causing uncomfortable temperatures
- Which upgrades will save the most money
- How to avoid expensive dead ends
- What your home’s strengths are, too0
Some even come back after renovations for a second assessment—to see how their star rating has improved and track their return on investment.
Discover Where Your Energy Dollars are going.
Booking a Scorecard assessment is easy—and it could save you thousands over time. While most people don’t want to upgrade everything at once, they appreciate options, ideas and someone trustworthy to talk them through with.
I offer free independent Scorecard assessments across Melbourne. Reach out through the contact form, and take your next step toward a more efficient, comfortable, and valuable home.