A future of energy-smart homes is rapidly approaching in Perth. Buyers now evaluate homes not just by the number of bedrooms and school zones, but also by kilowatt-hours, NatHERS stars, and jaw-dropping technology, thanks to Fremantle’s award-winning “living laboratories” and inner-city councils that encourage homeowners to install solar panels and batteries.  

That implies fewer operating expenses and greater long-term value for Perth homeowners, landlords, and FIFO families. Bargoti Real Estate monitors the policies, councils, and initiatives that truly improve house performance.  

This blog outlines the new 7-Star standard for projects starting on May 1, 2025, maps the Perth suburbs and precincts leading the push, and demonstrates how to identify (and add) high-ROI efficiency measures.

Why “energy-efficient suburbs” matter in Perth right now

• Now, the new floor is 7-Star. The National Construction Code (NCC 2022) energy regulations were enacted in Western Australia on May 1, 2025.
• These regulations require new residences to have tighter envelopes, better glass, and a minimum 7-Star NatHERS rating.  
• This means that new stock will be more affordable to operate, quieter, and more pleasant to use. Retrofitting older stock to a comparable standard will fetch a higher price.
• Batteries will come after rooftop solar. Rooftop solar’s percentage of generation in WA’s remote SWIS system frequently reaches world-record highs; in 2024, it briefly exceeded 80%.  
• Beginning July 1, 2025, the state’s new Residential Battery Scheme will accelerate the adoption of storage in suburbs that are already heavily reliant on solar power by offering subsidies and loans.
• Local councils set the tone. Faster adoption of PV, EV readiness, and high-performing constructions is observed in suburbs under councils with explicit sustainability initiatives (such as discounts, water-wise incentives, and planning guidelines), which supports both property values and tenant demand.

Perth suburbs with a median star rating

• The median rating for new residences in Perth was six stars, while the rating for older homes was 2.4 stars.  
• Perth’s top 20 suburbs, which were primarily located in areas with recently constructed housing estates, were Dayton, Kwinana, and Ravenswood (6.2), followed by Brabham, Treeby, and Alkimos (6.1).
• Except for North Coogee, every suburb in the chart had a median home value of less than $1 million, and none of them were in the affluent western suburbs.
• The Perth Hills were home to the worst energy-efficient suburbs, with Sawyers Valley, Lesmurdie, Gooseberry Hill, Glen Forrest, and Darlington receiving a pitiful two stars.
• The national top 30 list of SA3 localities with the most energy-efficient dwellings noticeably omitted Sydney and Hobart.  
• While Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Armadale, Kwinana, Wanneroo, and the West Pilbara were in the top 30 in Western Australia, the ACT was over-represented.

Perth’s highest median star ratings by suburb

CSIRO’s RapidRate AI algorithm was used to determine the ratings, taking into account the property type, floor area, number of walls and windows, the direction the house or townhouse faced, insulation, and building materials.

Perth’s standout leaders (and what makes them different)

1. Fremantle & surrounds (White Gum Valley, Knutsford, Beaconsfield)

Fremantle has been a leader in sustainability in Western Australia for a considerable time. In 2014, it adopted the One Planet Living framework and demonstrated precinct-scale innovation that other suburbs have sought to emulate.

Things to search for:

• More than 80 homes at WGV at White Gum Valley (Fremantle) showcase monitored low-carbon living, shared groundwater irrigation, and passive solar design.  
• High-quality community-scale waterwise systems, shade, insulation, and orientation are to be expected.
• Thirty-six energy-efficient residences with a communal battery and shared solar microgrid comprise East Village in Knutsford; they are designed for high renewable self-supply and significantly lower bills.  
• These case studies indicate the presence of similar features in neighbouring streets and surrounding projects.
• Stock constructed in accordance with these criteria often provides better comfort and lower expenses, making it desirable to high-end owner-occupiers and environmentally conscious tenants.

2. City of Vincent (Leederville, Mount Hawthorn, North Perth, Highgate)

Vincent oversees a Sustainable Environment Strategy and participates in Switch Your Thinking, offering residents savings on solar, batteries, and energy-efficient appliances. This encourages a continuous flow of green renovations and retrofits in older, historic buildings.

Things to search for:

• Double-glazing renovations, improved roof insulation, and the rough-in of solar PV and EV chargers on constrained inner-city properties.
• At open homes, well-executed renovations stand out; Vincent’s infill typologies benefit most from precise alignment and shade.

3. City of Cockburn (Spearwood, Success, Atwell, Coogee)

Cockburn has a comprehensive program that includes verge rebates, renewable energy targets, waterwise schemes, and continuous sustainability reporting.

Things to search for:

• Family homes with heat-pump hot water, improved insulation, landscaping designs that reduce watering requirements, and PV already installed (or a suitable north-facing roof space).
• One of its community facilities has a 1 MW solar system. Consistency in policy often extends to private construction and remodelling.

The data picture: how Perth is trending

• Solar penetration is increasing in 2024. Australia had 4 million small rooftop systems installed nationwide, with Western Australia having one of the highest rates of per capita adoption.
• Perth’s middle ring exhibits high concentrations, according to APVI mapping (based on Clean Energy Regulator data to June 30, 2025). Although adoption varies by suburb, the presence of north-facing roof space in estates built after 1990 is a reliable indicator of this trend.
• According to projections, more than half of detached and semi-detached homes in WA’s SWIS will have solar over the long term, with battery adoption growing faster as prices decline and discounts become available. AEMO anticipates sustained development in DER.
• New builds will raise the floor. Even “standard” project homes will feel warmer in winter and cooler in summer thanks to WA’s new requirement for a 7-Star NatHERS rating, which will save operating costs and increase resilience during heatwaves.

Tip from Bargoti: We benchmark listings against their local council’s incentives, PV/battery density, and building code vintage, so you can compare like-for-like running costs before you make an offer.

Five features that actually lower bills in Perth

• Passive design that suits our climate
• Rooftop solar sized to daytime loads
• A battery (or at least a “battery-ready” switchboard)
• Efficient hot water and cooling
• Waterwise landscapes & alternative water

1. More important than any technology are features like ceiling fans, wide eaves, north-facing living spaces, and high-performance windows. The performance of Fremantle’s precincts, including WGV/Knutsford, is supported by these decisions.

2. Because of Perth’s abundant sunshine, PV is a no-brainer; design arrays around pool pumps, heat pump HW, and remote work. WA often records top-notch rooftop photovoltaic contributions to the grid.

3. For families with evening peaks, storage pencils out more quickly now that WA’s Residential Battery Scheme is operational (rebates/loans via Energy Policy WA, Synergy/Horizon channels). Make the necessary wiring if you’re not ready to install.

4. When compared to resistive/electric units, which are currently frequently subsidised by local government programs, heat-pump hot water and high-SEER reverse-cycle systems significantly reduce loads.

5. The design of WGV emphasises resilience and lowers costs through the use of native plants, intelligent irrigation, and (where possible) community bore or non-potable supplies.

Shortlist: Perth’s “Future-Ready” Suburbs (2025)

• Fremantle (particularly White Gum Valley and Knutsford) precincts feature community-scale water and solar projects, passive design, and tested microgrids, with strong buyer appreciation for sustainability value.
• Character stock in the City of Vincent (Leederville, Mount Hawthorn, North Perth) is experiencing significant momentum due to council incentives and a sustainability policy; professionals find the high rental appeal appealing.
• The City of Cockburn (Atwell, Success, Coogee, Spearwood) is a family-friendly heartland with council-supported initiatives promoting renewable and water-wise practices. The blocks are the right size for PV and EV preparation, and the roof aspect is suitable.

(Note: We also monitor the City of Melville and City of Subiaco areas for similar trends as plans update and NCC-aligned builds come online.)

Case studies to watch (for comps & ideas)

1. WGV: quantifiable savings over and beyond plans

• Mains-water reductions and low-carbon results from design choices (shared landscape water, orientation, and shade) are documented by an independent study.  
• This demonstrates performance for consumers in ways that go beyond promotional brochures.

2. Knutsford’s East Village: microgrid economics

• An annual 100% renewable supply is supported by a shared community battery and solar microgrid; research shows significant comfort benefits and material cost savings.  
• Similar townhouse developments are starting to follow this pattern throughout Perth.

Market angles: owners, investors, and developers

1. Owner-occupiers:

• New-build in 7-Star estates or high-quality passive retrofits deliver the best lifetime affordability (power + water + maintenance).
• In Vincent-style character corridors, seek evidence: blower-door test results, insulation specifications, glazing U-values/SHGC, and heat-pump COPs.

2. Investors (including FIFO families):

• In tight rental markets, homes with PV, efficient cooling, ceiling fans, and double glazing attract longer tenancies and lower arrears. Battery-readiness is a future-proofing tick.
• In Cockburn/Fremantle precincts, sustainability features can translate into premium rents and reduced vacancy due to comfort and bill savings.

3. Small developers/project homebuyers:

• NCC 2022-ready designs are non-negotiable as of May 1, 2025. Ask builders for NatHERS certificates, summer overheating modelling, and thermal-bridge detailing.
• Design for a daytime-heavy load (WFH), rough-in for EV and batteries, and leverage the WA Residential Battery Scheme where eligible.

Quick checklist for buyers at opens

• Do you live facing north? Shade in the summer? Way of cross-ventilation?
• Draught-proofing, double-glazing specifications, and insulation levels for walls and ceilings.
• Services include ceiling fans, reverse-cycle AC efficiency, and heat-pump hot water.
• Battery-ready switchboard, inverter age, array size, and monitoring?
• Water-efficient fixtures, water-wise landscaping, and any other water source (community bore in some precincts, for example).

The bottom line

• Efficiency leaders in Perth, including Vincent’s inner-north, Cockburn’s family hubs, and Fremantle (WGV/Knutsford), are already counting on the cost and comfort advantages that NCC 2022 will standardise for new stock.  
• With the growing popularity of solar and battery systems (now supported by a governmental program), both buyers and tenants will be interested in the most energy-efficient residences.  
• These are the locations (and attributes) to consider if you want a house that is more robust, affordable, and suitable for Perth’s future.

At Bargoti, our role is to guide you through this evolving market—helping you identify suburbs that lead in sustainability, evaluate features that genuinely add value, and secure homes built for the future. With our expertise and local insights, you’ll not only find a property—you’ll invest in a lifestyle that’s smarter, greener, and ready for what’s next in Perth real estate.

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