House Energy Ratings
What are house energy ratings and what are they for?
The following questions and answers are taken from the website of the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA):
Q: What is Thermal Performance Assessment?
A: A Thermal Performance Assessment (also commonly known as a House Energy Rating) is an assessment of how comfortable the temperature in your house will be throughout the year.
It primarily assesses the thermal performance of the building envelope elements (walls, floors, roof, windows, insulation) to determine the home’s ability to remain comfortable with as little artificial heating or cooling as possible.
A Thermal Performance Assessment conducted by an ABSA Assessor can be used to show compliance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
Q: How is a Thermal Performance Assessment done?
A: ABSA Assessors conduct Thermal Performance Assessments by inputting your house design into an approved computer software package. The rating is based on building fabric components (e.g. walls, floors, roof, windows, insulation), climatic data (from weather data files), and occupancy settings.
Your ABSA Assessor will provide you with a stamped ABSA Certificate (which is required by Councils to be lodged with your Development or Building Application) and will stamp your plans accordingly. In the event that your design does not meet the required minimum standard, your Assessor may suggest some alternatives to improve the performance of your house design.
Q: Why does Council require a Thermal Performance Assessment to be carried out on my house design?
A: All states in Australia require new homes to meet minimum thermal performance standards. In other words, the home must be designed to remain at a comfortable temperature without the need for excessive heating or cooling. These requirements are designed to reduce the amount of fossil fuels burned to produce energy for homes, thereby reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
From 1st March 2009, all proposed new dwellings in Queensland must achieve a 5 star standard. A Building Thermal Performance Assessment conducted by an ABSA Assessor can be used to show compliance with these requirements.
ABSA Accreditation is the only nationally recognised standard for Assessor training and Quality Assurance which meets the requirements of the Building Code of Australia. Energy Efficiency Management is ABSA accredited (Assessor # 40244). For more information on ABSA and ABSA accredited assessors, please go to http://www.absa.net.au/ | 
