Articles - Certified Energy

3 min read

How to Manage Rising Building Costs with JV3

By Team CE on Mar 7, 2023 12:57:05 PM

A JV3 Report is an alternative assessment method for non-residential buildings which uses a reference building to compare the overall assumed energy consumption of new buildings with respect to their location and climate. Whereas, alternatively a Section J Report offers a simpler assessment and is more suitable for less complex projects.

Topics: Section J JV3 Commercial

6 min read

2019 Proposed NCC building fabric changes + how they affect you

By Chloe Huang on Nov 19, 2018 2:07:31 PM

The 2019 National Construction Code (NCC) is now imminent and if it seems like it’s been a while since the last major release, it has been a long but welcome 3 years since the Australian Building Codes Board shifted to triennial updates.

The proposed changes include a complete rewrite to the way the building fabric is assessed under Section J (Energy Efficiency). The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) committee working on this update claim to have “rewritten Section J in its entirety" [1] which is powerfully showcased through the 30% average increase to the energy efficiency stringency requirements.

So what does this mean to you, as a builder or an architect? How is this going to affect your project and does this mean an increased financial strain on your budget to comply with these new energy efficiency targets? In short it depends what climate zone you are building and to what extent how much renewable energy mix is within your local energy supply. The below table indicates the expected construction cost reduction or increased to comply with the new NCC based on your climate zone refer map below.

[1]Dr Paul Bannister – Reviewer for Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings DTS Modelling Report 2018 by Energy Action

Topics: Energy NCC ESD Section J Certification Update NCC Changes NABERS

20 min read

NCC Section J Changes: What Changed in 2019, 2022 and 2025?

By Team CE on Apr 5, 2018 4:00:00 PM

Section J has changed substantially across recent editions of the National Construction Code.

NCC 2019 delivered a major uplift in commercial building energy efficiency. NCC 2022 reorganised the framework and introduced new requirements for energy monitoring and future distributed-energy infrastructure. NCC 2025 moves further towards lower operational energy use through stronger commercial building requirements, including on-site solar photovoltaic systems for relevant buildings.

These editions should not be treated as interchangeable.

A Section J assessment prepared under NCC 2019 may use different clause references, calculation methods and minimum requirements from an assessment prepared under NCC 2022 or NCC 2025. The applicable edition may also depend on the project location, approval date, transitional arrangements and jurisdictional variations.

This guide explains the broad direction of change and what it may mean for architects, builders, developers and commercial project teams.

Topics: Section J Changes Commercial

4 min read

U and R Values & Energy Rating: What do they mean?

By Team CE on Aug 19, 2016 5:20:17 PM

In the field of ESD, two terms which constantly appear are the U and R values of products, but what do these mean? Whether referring to insulation or glazing each product on the market has a specific either U or R value. These values refer to the thermal performance of specific products and materials and how they assist in maintaining thermal control in a building or structure. These values are an integral part of the BASIX, NatHERS and Section J process in the NCC, which require specific values to be either entered into the glazing calculator for Section J reports or specific glazing types with predetermined U and SHGC values for BASIX and NatHERS along with specific R values for insulation and building materiality.

Topics: ESD Section J BASIX NatHERS Star Rating Accreditations

1 min read

Energy Efficiency Industry: History

By Maud Dassen on Apr 28, 2016 12:34:47 PM

In response to growing concerns around greenhouse emissions, the Australian Government introduced a coordinated national approach in July 2000.

This approach focused on two key directions.

First, mandatory minimum energy performance requirements were implemented through the Building Code of Australia (BCA), ensuring all new buildings meet a baseline standard.

Second, the industry was encouraged to adopt voluntary best practice initiatives, allowing for innovation and higher performance outcomes beyond compliance.

These measures were supported by theNational Framework for Energy Efficiency(NFEE), a national agreement between Australian governments aimed at improving energy efficiency across the country. The objective was clear: unlock economic value through smarter energy use, while delivering cost-effective outcomes.

To support this transition, working groups were formed across government, industry, and community sectors. Their role was to contribute to the development of the BCA Energy Efficiency Provisions.

Recognising the impact of buildings on national emissions, theAustralian Building Codes Board(ABCB) and theAustralian Greenhouse Officeformalised their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding.

This led to the development of the Energy Efficiency Provisions now known asSection J of the National Construction Code (NCC)— applying to both commercial and residential buildings across Australia.