VURB

VURB (Verification using a Reference Building Method) is an alternative assessment method that gives you the flexibility to meet energy efficiency requirements through a combination of the NatHERS energy assessment and the Deemed To Satisfy assessment (DTS). 

This report option is available for all States and Territories except NSW.

VURB EXPLAINED 

What is VURB and who is it for

How VURB works and what is measured

A VURB assessment compares your proposed building to a reference building that fully complies with Section J of the code. Both buildings must have the same shape, size, location and purpose. The assessment uses energy simulation software to calculate heating and cooling loads and total demand for both models.

Instead of checking of minimum requirements, your design must simply prove that it performs at least as efficiently as the reference version. This is determined by looking at insulation, glazing, air movement, services, lighting and how all these elements interact in your particular climate zone. it is a more accurate and flexible way to meet the energy performance expectations of the code.

What VURB results mean and why they matter

If your proposed design performs the same as or better than the reference building it passes. If not it will require design changes to achieve compliance. This performance based approach provides a clear outcome and ensures your building meets energy targets without relying on rigid prescriptive rules.

VURB results are important because they form part of your formal documentation for Section J compliance. Certifiers use these results to verify that your building meets the energy efficiency standards of the National Construction Code. A compliant VURB report provides clear evidence that your design satisfies that intent of the code even if it does not follow the standard Deemed to Satisfy provisions. This gives your project a valid and accepted pathway to approval, particularly in cases where standard methods are not suitable or achievable.

Key benefits of using VURB include:

• Greater flexibility in material and system selection
• The ability to meet energy compliance without rigid prescriptive rules
• Support for innovative and performance focused designs
• Potential savings through more efficient construction and services choices
• Acceptance by certifiers and councils across most Australian jurisdictions
• A clear compliance pathway for complex or non standard building projects

How VURB is assessed?

What happens during a VURB assessment

Once you engage us for a VURB assessment our assessors will review your architectural drawings and any available specifications. We build a digital model of your proposed building and then construct a second reference model using the same geometry and function but compliant materials and systems. We then compare energy performance between the two under identical conditions.

If your design does not meet compliance on the first pass we will offer practical recommendations to help bring it in line. We work directly with your design team and keep the process efficient, professional and fully aligned with your building’s intended outcomes.

What software is used for the assessment

Requirements for a VURB assessment

When an assessment is required

You may require a VURB assessment if your building does not follow the Deemed to Satisfy provisions of Section J. This may be due to the choice of glazing, mechanical services or materials that fall outside of the standard rules. Some certifiers may also request a VURB when the design is non typical or performance focused.

The VURB method is also required or is most effective when assessing the energy efficiency compliance for the following building types:

• Large houses where standard assessment methods may not capture the full energy performance
• Houses with elevated floors that alter thermal performance compared to slab on ground
• Houses with upside down living arrangements such as bedrooms on the ground floor and living areas above
• Houses with unusual design features that fall outside the scope of typical NatHERS or prescriptive pathways

How to book a VURB assessment

To book your assessment send us your project information and we will review the scope and provide a fixed fee proposal. Once approved we allocate one of our senior Section J assessors to your job and begin the modelling process.

We encourage early engagement in the design phase so we can help identify and resolve any issues well before construction or final approvals.

What you need to provide

You will need to supply architectural drawings including floor plans, elevations and sections. We also require glazing and insulation schedules, mechanical services layouts and electrical plans if available. Site details including the climate zone are also needed.

If anything is missing we will help guide you or liaise with your consultants directly to complete the dataset.

COSTING AND TIME COMMITMENTS