We do design scenarios that give us the highest energy rating, this is also referred to as passive solar design.

Where councils will allow it, we use a split roof which allows cool air to come into the lower side and hot air to escape on the higher side.  We build large eaves which allow the winter sun into the home, but stop the summer sun, as we agressively target a 7 star energy rating^*.

What is energy rating all about?  It’s a rating of how much artifical cooling or heating a building requires, where a 10 star rating does not require any.

_{^*(As of May 2011, 6 star rating is the required minimum)}