A 7-star NatHERS rating is often seen as the finish line for an energy-efficient home. It is a solid benchmark, but on its own it does not always mean lower energy bills. NatHERS measures thermal performance on a 0–10 scale, based on design, construction, and local climate. In general, higher star ratings mean less heating and cooling is needed to stay comfortable. The NCC 2022 package also introduced the “Whole of Home” assessment. This looks at fixed services such as space