House Energy Rating Assessments

A House Energy Rating is also known as a Building Thermal Performance Assessment which evaluates the thermal efficiency of a new house design. In other words, it measures the home's ability to stay naturally cool in summer and warm in winter.

To perform a rating, the following items are required:

  • Architectural plans (preferably in CAD format), either emailed or posted.
  • Insulation levels of walls and ceilings.
  • Colours of the roof and walls.
  • Window sizes and frame types (preferably manufacturer's model).
  • Details of overshadowing from adjacent buildings and trees.
  • Site map and direction the house faces.

We are very keen to work with people who want to go further than the mandatory requirement to build energy efficient houses. Energy efficient options cost very little to implement at the design and construction stage yet they offer huge long-term benefits both to the homeowner and the environment.

Download a Thermal Performance Assessment Form and then contact us to have a Thermal Performance assessment performed on your domestic building.

In 2007 there will be two classifications of software packages permitted for use in Australia under both the Building Code of Australia (BCA). They are respectively called 1st Generation and 2nd Generation Software tools.  These include:

1st Generation software:

  • Nationwide House Energy Rating Software (NatHERS) used nationally
  • FirstRate used in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia
  • Building Energy Rating Software (BERS) used in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia 

2nd Generation software:

  • Accurate
  • BERS Pro
  • FirstRate v5

2nd Generation software provides further enhanced rating capability, especially in the accuracy of ventilation modelling. This software being phased in nationally and enables increased modelling functionality and analysis. 1st Generation software is expected to be superceded in 2008.

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) requires that Local Building Approval Authorities (Building Surveyors at Local Councils) obtain evidence that a design meets the 'Performance Requirements' or 'Deemed to Satisfy Provisions' of the Energy Efficiency sections of the BCA. This evidence may be in the form of a certificate from an 'appropriately qualified person'.

In August 2007, Bill Adams obtained certificate's in ABSA's "Short Course in Building Thermal Performance (Residential)" for both AccuRate and BERS Pro 2nd Generation Software and in 2008, "FirstRate5".