With temperatures grilling new highs into the record books recently in Australia and predictions of far worse to come, it's strange that more isn't being done to make sure new houses are better suited to our face-melting summers.

It's hard to look at a newly-built house without eaves - or with big brick walls and no garden to speak of - and believe it deserves the energy star rating it's been given. Current star ratings for houses are only really based on projected energy usage, and they're pretty conditional and fairly easily gamed by builders and designers who understand how they work.

If you're having a house built or renovated, take the time to learn about what makes a house genuinely 'sustainable' and appropriate for the climate. Well worth the effort!

Darcy Wilson
Editor - Build
www.build.com.au