NCC 2022 Volume Two - Building Code of Australia Class 1 and 10 buildings
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42

Specification 42 House energy rating software

Specification 42 House energy rating software

This Specification sets out requirements for satisfying H6P1 and H6P2 using house energy rating software.

(1) A building must achieve an energy rating, including the separate heating and cooling load limits, using house energy rating software, of greater than or equal to—

  1. 7 stars; or
  2. for a building in climate zones 1 or 2, 6.5 stars if the building has an outdoor living area as described in (3) which is fully covered with an impervious roof having a Total R-Value greater than or equal to 1.5 (for downward heat flow); or
  3. for a building in climate zones 1 or 2, 6 stars if the building has an outdoor living area as described in (3) which—
    1. is fully covered with an impervious roof having a Total R-Value greater than or equal to 1.5 (for downward heat flow); and
    2. has at least one permanently installed ceiling fan.

(2) The heating and cooling load limits in (1) are specified in the ABCB Standard for NatHERS Heating and Cooling Load Limits.

(3) An outdoor living area in (1)(b) and (1)(c) is a space that—

  1. is directly adjoining, and directly accessible from, a general purpose living area of a Class 1 building such as a lounge, kitchen, dining or family room, which is not a room for sleeping or specialist tasks such as a study or home theatre; and
  2. has a floor area greater than or equal to 12.0 m2; and
  3. has length and width dimensions greater than or equal to 2.5 m each; and
  4. has an opening height above floor level greater than or equal to 2.1 m; and
  5. has one side permanently open with a second side either—
    1. permanently open; or
    2. readily openable.

(4) The sides referred to in (3)(e) must be greater than or equal to 900 mm from an allotment boundary or 900 mm from an obstruction to the breeze path such as a building, fence or other structure.

(5) Where a ceiling fan is required as part of compliance with (1)(c), the fan must—

  1. be permanently installed; and
  2. have a speed controller; and
  3. serve the whole room, with the floor area that a single fan serves not exceeding—
    1. 15 m2 if it has a blade rotation diameter of less than 1200 mm; and
    2. 25 m2 if it has a blade rotation diameter of greater than or equal to 1200 mm.

Explanatory information: Complying with S42C2(1)

  • To comply with (1), the modelled energy loads of a building must not exceed three separate load limits, i.e.—
    1. the total load limit corresponding to the applicable star rating; and
    2. the heating load limit; and
    3. the cooling load limit.
  • Information about building modelling using house energy rating software is available at www.nathers.gov.au.
  • The ABCB Standard for NatHERS Heating and Cooling Load Limits can be accessed at www.abcb.gov.au.

Explanatory information: Outdoor living areas

  • The opening height in (3)(d) is to provide a breeze path and is likely to be the measurement from the floor to the underside of a perimeter beam. It is not a ceiling height measurement. It is also not a height for mounting a ceiling fan or the height of ceiling fan blades above the floor. These dimensions need to be determined considering the activities in the space, the safety of occupants of the space and any appropriate safety standards.
  • There is some survey evidence that suggests the majority of home owners turn off their air-conditioners when using an outdoor living area. Another cost effective option is to install a reed switch or other micro switch on the door leading to the outdoor living area in order to automatically deactivate an air-conditioning unit when the door is left open for a period which allows occupants to enter and leave the air-conditioned space but does not affect the operation of the air-conditioner.
  • A side referred to in (3)(e) may contain some obstructions such as columns and barriers. Where an open side is required to have a 1 m barrier, consideration as to the type (wire, solid or other) should be made with regard to the overall opening area of the two sides.

A building must achieve a whole-of-home rating of not less than 60 using house energy rating software.

(1) To comply with H6P1, in addition to S42C2, a building must comply with Section 13 of the ABCB Housing Provisions clauses—

  1. 13.2.2, for building fabric thermal insulation; and
  2. 13.2.3(7) and 13.2.5(5), for thermal breaks; and
  3. 13.2.3(5), for compensating for a loss of ceiling insulation, other than where the house energy rating software has compensated for a loss of ceiling insulation; and
  4. 13.2.6(4), 13.2.6(5) and 13.2.6(6) for floor edge insulation; and
  5. Part 13.4, for building sealing.

(2) To comply with H6P2, in addition to S42C3, a building must comply with Part 13.7 of the ABCB Housing Provisions.