There are a couple of ways to obtain an Energy Efficiency Assessment on a residential premise. However, there is only one legal way to obtain an Energy Star Rating, and that is by using the software that is approved by the National Construction Code (NCC), and administered by the National House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS).
It’s come to our attention that some Energy Assessors in Queensland are using the NatHERS Software to obtain a Star Rating on a dwelling, but then are producing a report for their clients (including the Rating) without first uploading the information to the HERS Portal. This is a concern for three reasons:
Clients Miss Out
The client does not receive the actual NatHERS Certificate which would give them essential information on their building project. Instead they receive a report from the Energy Assessor that they need to take at face value, and just hope it matches the Star Rating given by the Software. Knowledge is power, and clients who don’t obtain a Certificate miss out on essential information. The information that is contained within the NatHERS Certificate not only gives the client peace of mind, it provides all the detail required to ensure that the building is built to current Energy Efficient Standards.
Reports Might Not Be Accurate
Without a Certificate to accompany the Energy Report, the accuracy and efficacy of the Energy Report is brought into question, as it is much easier for Energy Assessors to input incorrect material and dwelling details (either inadvertently or deliberately) and not have this checked or be available to be checked – either by the Certifier or the builder or the home-owner. At worst, an Energy Assessor could produce a report showing that the home passed the 6 Star Standard, but there would be no way for a Certifier or Client to check if that was actually the case.
Lack of Level Playing Field
The Energy Assessors in Qld who are doing the right thing and uploading their files to the HERS portal to receive the Certificate are at a cost disadvantage compared to Assessors who don’t produce the Certificate. This is because Certificates cost $17 per dwelling. In a 10 or 20 residence complex, this could well be the difference between winning and losing a job as it adds up to a significant cost difference that the Accredited Assessors have to pay ($170 to $340 in this example)
The Energy Assessors that are not uploading their files to the HERS Portal are either acting outside their Assessor Accrediting Organisations Code of Conduct (which expects them to upload their files to the HERS portal), or they are exploiting a loophole. A loophole currently exists in Queensland because Queensland, unlike the other States and Territories in Australia, does not require their Energy Assessors to be Accredited with an Assessor Accrediting Organisation. Currently, Accreditation is encouraged, but not required. Accreditation would ensure this practice would not persist as all Accredited Assessors must upload their files to their AAO after paying the $17 per project and obtaining the Certificate.
This situation is unacceptable and the Qld Department of Housing and Public Works needs to bring Queensland in to line with the other States and Territories and require that Energy Assessors be Accredited.
Until then, if you have your dwelling rated with BERA, you can be assured that:
- you will be having your project rated to the highest standards
- you will have peace of mind that your Energy Efficiency Assessment was carried out properly
- you will receive all the information that you have paid for
- you will be much closer to ensuring that your home or project will be built to comply with the standards in the NCC for Energy Efficiency.