Energy Rating Report

Getting a high energy rating is essential for a new build property or an extension to or refurbishment of an existing one, otherwise you can’t get a building permit for the work. But it can be a very confusing process because there are different schemes available and it’s essential you choose the appropriate one.

Energy Rating Schemes Available

The scheme you use for your project will depend on the type of development and where it’s located. The available schemes are:

• NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) assesses the energy rating of new residential properties across Australia. It’s run by the Commonwealth Government and is managed by a steering committee comprising members from that body and from state and territory governments. The scheme uses software that estimates a property’s energy usage for heating and cooling based on its design and many other factors.
• Section J assesses the energy performance resulting from alterations and additions to existing Class 2-9 buildings (commercial properties). It gauges how those changes meet the required performance of the National Construction Code (NCC) using a ‘Deemed to Satisfy’ process that assesses the building fabric, insulation, power, lighting and various other factors. This process is typically suitable for relatively simple buildings.
• JV3 is often used for complex commercial building designs where Section J is not adequate or when thermal comfort or energy use are extremely important to the building user. It can help to achieve enhanced performance and greater cost saving with no adverse effect on thermal comfort.
• BASIX (Building Sustainability Index) applies only to residential buildings in New South Wales and checks building design variants against energy sustainability targets with the aim of reducing energy and water usage. It assesses water usage, greenhouse gas emissions and thermal comfort and is mandatory for new homes in NSW as well as NatHERS compliance.
• Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) is required for new residential or commercial buildings in Victoria, with many councils there making it a mandatory part of the planning process. Rather than concentrating wholly on energy efficiency, it is a complete sustainability assessment that also considers water, waste, building management, transport and other factors.

Getting and Applying the Correct Energy Assessment

Whichever assessment method you are required to use, it’s important that it’s done properly and fully. Failure to do this may prevent a building permit being issued and delay the start of the project. Non-compliance with the energy rating report at a later stage can be even more costly, requiring remedial work that can be very significant.

At Section J Reports Australia, we’ll ensure your building design is assessed correctly, quickly and with the best chance of success. We’ll advise on your building design and help you improve the layout, materials and construction method so you have the best chance of achieving compliance first time and without any fuss. The outcome is a project that starts on time and finishes successfully, that complies with all regulatory requirements, that achieves the best energy efficiency with little or no extra cost, and which completely satisfies the client.

You’ll find that all our reports are very competitively priced and, as we do all our work via email wherever possible, we can produce a timely BCA Section J report for you, no matter where your new development happens to be in Australia, whether that’s in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Geelong, Wollongong, Canberra or Gold Coast.

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