Energy Efficiency Reports
Our energy assessors and consultants provide reports for:
- New Homes
- Alterations, Extensions & Renovations
- Apartments, Units & Multi-Units
“Our team of Energy Assessors provide industry leading service, working closely within the project scope to ensure your project is compliant. The Green Choice Consulting team would love to make sure your project stays on track.”
Albert Burton
Director of Green Choice Consulting
Energy Efficiency Reports
With every report, you can expect:
- A council ready Energy Efficiency Report
- Your report stamped by an experienced Energy Assessor
- Cost competitive solutions
Request a free quote today.
Do you need an energy report to get your building permit?
To get building approval all new homes, extensions, alterations and additions will require an energy efficiency report showing compliance with the National Construction Code. The building code aims to reduce energy usage by ensuring new homes meet a determined level of thermal performance.
Our energy assessors and BASIX consultants are proficient in the energy requirements and can provide practical and cost-effective solutions in every energy efficiency report. We support our clients by discussing alternative solutions which may reduce costs, save time, and improve energy ratings.
We produce energy efficiency reports in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. Using state-specific energy requirements, we assess projects under the NatHERS Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), Performance Solutions or the Elemental Provisions. Contact our team today to discover how we can help reduce your building costs and improve the performance of your home.
Administered by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources on behalf of the states and territories.
© Copyright 2019 Commonwealth of Australia
The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a star rating system (out of 10) that rates the energy efficiency of a home based on its design. NatHERS promotes increasing the thermal performance of homes, and aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of residential buildings.
A 6-star Rating is generated through NatHERS approved software and takes into account the usage patterns of a room, the layout of the house and any insulation and construction materials used in a dwelling. A 6-Star rated dwelling is considered the gold-standard and is the preferred method of achieving energy compliance.
NatHERS Star Ratings and energy efficiency reports are used by homeowners, builders, certifiers and councils to meet the mandatory energy efficiency requirements outlined by the NCC.
Administered by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources on behalf of the states and territories.
© Copyright 2019 Commonwealth of Australia
New developments with multiple dwellings in Australia must meet a minimum energy efficiency requirement, as set by the National Construction Code. NatHERS, or the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, is the means by which new residential properties are scored on their energy efficiency.
Using a 10-star rating system, residential properties previously had to achieve a minimum 6-star rating to meet compliance, however, this is about to change with 7-star ratings becoming the new minimum requirement. This expansion to the NatHERS system is the largest since 1993 and works to bring Australia to a more sustainable future.
Not all states are adopting the new NCC, and the transition period varies between states. Contact us today to learn more about the new requirements.
Administered by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources on behalf of the states and territories.
© Copyright 2019 Commonwealth of Australia
A BASIX Certificate (The Building Sustainability Index) is a planning requirement in New South Wales and is required as part of the development application process. The certificate will confirm that the proposed development meets the requirements for sustainability, and demonstrate that your home has been designed to use less potable water and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
A BASIX certificate can be obtained after the completion of the sustainability assessment using the online BASIX assessment tool.
The online BASIX tool requires the input of data to meet the water target, the energy target and the thermal comfort target. If the water, energy and thermal comfort targets are met and a pass result is achieved, then a certificate can be issued.
A Section J Report details the energy efficiency requirements that all commercial buildings need to meet. These requirements are detailed in the National Construction Code (NCC) and will need to be met to get building approval.
Our reports will outline the performance requirements for the floors, roofs, walls, glazing and air movement. The specific requirements will vary according to your design complexity, climate, size of the building, which areas are conditioned and other factors.
We can show that your proposed building is compliant by using the Deemed to Satisfy provisions contained in Section J of the NCC.
Need help with your commercial project? Contact us today to find our how we can help.
Administered by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources on behalf of the states and territories.
© Copyright 2019 Commonwealth of Australia
The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a star rating system (out of 10) that rates the energy efficiency of a home based on its design. NatHERS promotes increasing the thermal performance of homes, and aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of residential buildings.
A 6-star Rating is generated through NatHERS approved software and takes into account the usage patterns of a room, the layout of the house and any insulation and construction materials used in a dwelling. A 6-Star rated dwelling is considered the gold-standard and is the preferred method of achieving energy compliance.
NatHERS Star Ratings and energy efficiency reports are used by homeowners, builders, certifiers and councils to meet the mandatory energy efficiency requirements outlined by the NCC.
New developments with multiple dwellings in Australia must meet a minimum energy efficiency requirement, as set by the National Construction Code. NatHERS, or the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, is the means by which new residential properties are scored on their energy efficiency.
Using a 10-star rating system, residential properties previously had to achieve a minimum 6-star rating to meet compliance, however, this is about to change with 7-star ratings becoming the new minimum requirement. This expansion to the NatHERS system is the largest since 1993 and works to bring Australia to a more sustainable future.
Not all states are adopting the new NCC, and the transition period varies between states. Contact us today to learn more about the new requirements.
Administered by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources on behalf of the states and territories.
© Copyright 2019 Commonwealth of Australia
Administered by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources on behalf of the states and territories.
© Copyright 2019 Commonwealth of Australia
A BASIX Certificate (The Building Sustainability Index) is a planning requirement in New South Wales and is required as part of the development application process. The certificate will confirm that the proposed development meets the requirements for sustainability, and demonstrate that your home has been designed to use less potable water and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
A BASIX certificate can be obtained after the completion of the sustainability assessment using the online BASIX assessment tool.
The online BASIX tool requires the input of data to meet the water target, the energy target and the thermal comfort target. If the water, energy and thermal comfort targets are met and a pass result is achieved, then a certificate can be issued.
A Section J Report details the energy efficiency requirements that all commercial buildings need to meet. These requirements are detailed in the National Construction Code (NCC) and will need to be met to get building approval.
Our reports will outline the performance requirements for the floors, roofs, walls, glazing and air movement. The specific requirements will vary according to your design complexity, climate, size of the building, which areas are conditioned and other factors.
We can show that your proposed building is compliant by using the Deemed to Satisfy provisions contained in Section J of the NCC.
Need help with your commercial project? Contact us today to find our how we can help.
What are the energy efficiency requirements for your state?
The Queesland Government has developed the Queensland Development Code (QDC) which outlines all state energy efficiency requirements. The QDC allows up to 1.5 stars in credits for outdoor areas and photovoltaic systems.
The Queensland Development Code permits the use of the BCA 2010 (Volume 2) or the use BCA 2009 (Volume 2) if 1 star credit is obtained.
The glazing calculator used in BCA 2009 (Volume 2) is less stringent and will often lead to more cost-effective outcomes.
Contact our team today to find out your options.
The Western Australia Government has a few different options for showing energy efficiency compliance.
Deemed-to-Satisfy
Option 1: NatHERS Energy Report
Option 2: Elemental Provision Energy Report
Performance Solution
Performance solutions will show that your home performs equivalent to, or better than the performance requirements outlined in the National Construction Code. The advantage of a performance solution is that you can offset different areas of the building fabric (i.e., if you use better glazing you may be able to use less wall insulation).
WA Alterations and Additions Protocol for Energy Efficiency
This industry-led project enables alterations and additions to meet the energy efficiency requirements. It provides the basis of a performance solution that is suitable for renovations, alterations and additions.
The Victoria Building Authority has a few different options for showing energy efficiency compliance.
These options include:
- Meeting a 6-star energy rating along with prescriptive BCA requirements for building sealing and services (NatHERS)
- Following all the BCA requirements (elemental provisions)
- Performance solutions (usually used for renovations, alterations and extensions)
Alterations, renovations and extensions
Compliance for alterations, renovations and extensions can be demonstrated through the use of a performance solution in accordance with Building Practice Note EE-04 – Alterations to existing Class 1 buildings
The South Australia Government states that all new homes and extensions must meet the minimum energy efficiency requirements prescribed in the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
Certain requirements apply to new elevated Class 1 buildings with lightweight flooring systems, that can be moved.
Houses that don’t meet the the criteria above must:
- meet the NatHERS 6-star standard; or
- show compliance with the elemental provisions; or
- show that they achieve a performance equivalent to the elemental provisions (performance solution)
In New South Wales a BASIX is required for anyone submitting a Building Application in for a new house, alteration, addition, villa, townhouse or unit. BASIX is a web-based energy efficiency tool that assesses the proposed design against specific energy and water reduction targets.
For thermal comfort, BASIX can take a prescriptive approach (DIY Method) or simulation method (modelling the design in NatHERS Software).
In most cases, the simulation method will lead to less stringent compliance requirements and will be a more cost-effective pathway to showing compliance.
The Tasmanian Government has a few different options for showing energy efficiency compliance.
Deemed-to-Satisfy
Option 1: NatHERS Energy Report
Option 2: Elemental Provision Energy Efficiency Report
In Tasmania it is a requirement that the assessor is accredited with one of the following organisations:
- Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA)
- Design Matters National (DMN)
- Housing Energy Raters Association (HERA)
Green Choice Consulting currently holds accreditation with Design Matters National so our team is ready to tackle your project.
Is your energy assessor accredited?
Our senior energy efficiency consultant, assessor and director of Green Choice Consulting is a Design Matters National (DMN) member with accreditation number DMN/21/2045.
Insured – We are required to have professional indemnity insurance.
Accurate & Reliable – We are also subject to audits for quality assurance.
Get a Certified Certificate – Only a NatHERS accredited assessor can issue a certified certificate. Some areas and developments may not accept reports from non-accredited assessors.
Non-accredited assessors are not required to be professionally trained in modelling software and are not held accountable by a professional body.