Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is a core focus of our work program and forms part of the Australian, state and territory governments’ strategies to improve energy productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Work is underway to scope potential changes for commercial building energy efficiency in NCC 2025. Among other things, the work will focus on increasing the role that this sector can play in helping all Australian jurisdictions reach their emissions reduction targets.

This project was initiated by the former Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council’s National Energy Productivity Plan and Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings.

The emphasis of the NCC 2022 energy efficiency provisions was on residential buildings. This included an increase in the level of thermal comfort and a whole-of-house energy use budget.

The provisions also included measures that will reduce the cost of installing on-site renewables and electric vehicle charging at a later date.

Extensive expert and stakeholder consultation have informed the final provisions included in NCC 2022, which will be published on 1 October 2022. The provisions will be adopted on 1 May 2023, with a transition period applying until 1 October 2023 to assist industry in preparing for the changes.

The ABCB has also produced an extensive range of resources to help practitioners understand and implement the energy efficiency requirements of the Code. These are linked in the table below.

These resources also include reports produced for the ABCB by third-party consultants, which have been used to support the writing of the NCC and its supporting material. Note, the reports’ findings are not necessarily reflected in the NCC’s provisions, which draw upon many inputs through consultation and analysis.