JV3

JV3 can be used as an alternative solution when a section J report is required. This applies when a building’s complex design does not meet the Deemed to Satisfy (DtS) requirements under the National Construction Code (NCC).  JV3 allows much more flexibility with regards to design choices, as architects and designers can create as they see fit as long as it does not exceed the reference buildings energy usage targets. JV3 is much like a non-residential equivalent of NatHERS modelling, allowing flexibility to choose glazing and building elements as long as it stays within the annual energy consumption of the Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) building.

The JV3 Assessment requires a detailed assessment of the building’s design. The feedback that is given from the JV3 model should be a consideration in the detailed design’s development.

What are some benefits of a JV3:

• Provides greater design flexibility
• Can allow for designs that are unattainable with DtS requirements to be implemented
• Supersedes the requirement of floor insulation and the glazing calculator.  
• Results in a more rational design that costs less to construct
• Design improvements include increased energy performance, aesthetics, and reduced complexity in design.

This process involves the comparison of a proposed design with a Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) reference building whilst also taking into account the specific location and weather data of the proposed building. The proposed building must not exceed the annual energy consumption of the DtS building, this allowing much more flexibility when designing, with building elements being able to be chosen as long as the sum of the whole building does not exceed the maximum annual consumption. The JV3 alternative assessment can be used to attain certain flexibility when designing, such as glazed elements (e.g. the amount, orientation and quality), the building fabric (e.g. the envelope, facades, floors, walls, and roof) and when planning the services (e.g. air conditioning, lighting and heating) as opposed to just a DtS Section J report.

JV3 Verification Method

The proposed building’s annual energy consumption is not to be greater than the annual energy consumption allowance.

The subject building’s annual energy consumption is assessed in:

• MJ/m² per annum or
• kWh/m² per annum

The energy consumption is compared with a reference building’s theoretical annual energy consumption. The reference building assumes that it complies with the Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) requirements. 

Steps in using the JV3 Verification Method

1. Determine the consumption of annual energy allowance by using a reference building with DtS provisions to model the criteria in JV3.
2. Calculate the theoretical amount of annual energy consumption of the proposed Performance Solution through the building criteria of the subject or the criteria in Specification JV.
3. Calculate the theoretical amount of annual energy consumption of the proposed Performance Solution by modelling the services with that of the reference building.
4. Compare the output of steps 2 and 3 (theoretical annual energy consumption) to the output of step 1 (annual energy consumption allowance). This ensures that the annual energy consumption is not greater than the allowance 

The JV3 Verification Method uses a thermal model of the building’s design. There are three main facets involved in the JV3 process, these being the inputs, outputs and calculations:

Inputs

• The design documentation of the Development Application (DA) that is used to conduct the preliminary assessment.

Outputs

• The preliminary DtS assessment of Section J
• The preliminary JV3 Report
• Feedback with the client and the designers
• The final JV3 Report

Calculations

• Reference building model
• Proposed building model
• Simulation of the thermal model
• Revise the model after analysis results