What is the Assessment Process?
The new 6 7 -Star regulations will require greater stringency of the Building Code of Australia’s Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) requirements, meaning in most circumstances builders will find it easier and cheaper to obtain professional compliance advice from an energy efficiency assessor. Importantly, this assessor MUST be accredited under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS).
Your assessor will utilise computer simulations to determine a home’s level of thermal comfort. This is achieved by considering multiple aspects of the home including its layout, window and shading orientation (in regards to the local climate), and the construction of its roof, walls, windows and floor. When all features have been considered, the assessor has the information needed to determine the home’s rating. This process will also uncover cost-effective ways to optimise energy efficiency, helping home’s to obtain full building compliance by securing a greater rating.
As you would expect, it’s much easier and more cost effective to increase a home’s energy rating at the design phase. Therefore, it’s important to engage your accredited assessor early so that they can have input at the design stage of the home. That way, the home can be built with confidence knowing that it meets the requirements and won’t require last-minute alterations.