6 Star Energy Rating

Like most construction companies, when a new project comes along, you’re keen to get started as soon as possible because that’s the best option for both yourselves and your customer. But you can’t start until you get your building permit and, these days, that means proving your design is energy efficient and sustainable among other things.

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) sets energy efficiency standards that are mandatory for every state and territory in the country. These determine the thermal performance of the building, both in terms of heating and cooling, and cover the layout and orientation of the building and its site, the materials used in its construction and any environmental conditions that apply.

Why a 6 Star Energy Rating is Essential

To comply with the BCA, a building has to achieve a 6 star energy rating out of a possible maximum score of ten. That level is likely to increase in the future as standards are driven higher.

The requirement applies to all new buildings and extensions to existing ones. The six-star rating should be viewed as a minimum level and should not be sought simply because it’s necessary to obtain a building permit. In effect, whilst achieving at least this level is necessary to meet mandatory energy efficiency targets for new and renovated buildings, the ratings also provide other benefits. They:

• inform clients, architects and other interested parties of the likely energy efficiency of alternative designs so they can make an informed choice
• let prospective buyers assess the relative performance of various buildings
• increase the value of residential and commercial properties due to improved thermal efficiency.

Achieving a high energy rating for a design makes the whole project more sustainable and at the same time increases your standing as a responsible developer.

How to Achieve your 6 Star Energy Rating

A six star rating is necessary to gain a building permit, and so the process of getting one starts early, at the design and planning stage. The rating is essentially obtained by providing data about the project and inputting to an appropriate computer application that will determine the relevant score. However, it is much more than simply inputting that data and then getting a result.

At Section J Reports Australia, we can advise you on the best approach to achieve a successful result. We can analyse and assess that result and tell you what you need to do to improve it.

Although a minimum score of six will obtain your building permit and ensure the project can get underway, a higher score will achieve a better outcome for the environment in terms of reduced emissions and for the client through lower energy costs and increased comfort levels. We have the knowledge and experience to help you achieve that higher score, which can often incur no additional cost in terms of either money or time.

Whatever the type of building and whether a new build, extension or refurbishment, we can advise you on how to obtain that high energy rating. Whether that means relocating rooms to the north side for maximum light, allowing or blocking sunlight, using different materials or installing better ventilation or insulation, the outcome will be the same — a building that’s more sustainable, cheaper to run and more comfortable for all occupants.

You’ll find that all our reports are very competitively priced and, as we do all our work via email wherever possible, we can produce a timely BCA Section J report for you, no matter where your new development happens to be in Australia, whether that’s in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Geelong, Wollongong, Canberra or Gold Coast.

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