NatHERS is short for the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme. It uses a 10 star rating system to assess the thermal performance of dwellings across Australia. The National Construction Code (NCC) references these star ratings specifying a minimum number of star levels for all new houses built in Australia. Often referred to as a NatHERS assessment, a house energy rating is required for all alterations and additions, and both residential and commercial building works. This national assessment involves the thermal modelling of each individual room in a house to determine the modelled heating and cooling loads.

There are two main certification solutions that we use at Certified Energy to achieve building compliance – Deemed to Satisfy Solutions and Alternative Solutions.

DEEMED TO SATISFY SOLUTIONS:

1. House Energy Rating Scheme (HERS)
2. Elemental Provisions (EP)

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS:

1. Verification Using A Reference Building (VURB)
2. State Specific Energy Protocols

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NatHERS certification is required for all new developments with multiple dwellings, however NatHERS can also be used if desired on single dwellings. It was developed in order to reduce the countries overall energy consumption along with the BASIX process.

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For an accredited assessor to assess a project through the NatHERS process, they require the full plans, sections and elevations for the building as well as the building materials and glazing types that are intending to be used so that the building can be simulated accurately.Generally, appliances such as, air-conditioners, etc. do not need to be known by the assessor as they do not affect the star rating as NatHERS energy ratings are based on how well designed the dwelling will be. Appliances that are added to the building and are likely to be changed in the future are not taken into consideration.

NatHERS is assessed through a process of thermal modelling, in which the proposed dwelling is model using NatHERS approved software. The construction type, materials, glazing, lighting and insulation are all taken into consideration in order to assess the overall annual thermal performance of the project. Climate data within the software determines the developments total heating and cooling load throughout the year, with specific heating and cooling targets outlined by NatHERS needing to be met.

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The cost for NatHERS certification depends on the size and complexity of the project, depending on the amount of time that is required to fully model and assess the building. Therefore to get an obligation free quote for your project please press the button below or call us.

Give us a call and we will be happy to share our NatHERS expertise with you.