Menu
The energy efficiency and thermal performance of your development has a direct impact on both the occupants and the environment.
A property designed using ecologically sustainable development principles, promises an abundant life to its current and future residents.
In addition to contributing to the preservation of our planet, designing and building an eco-friendly home reduces the long-term costs of electricity, water and system maintenance.
Your proposed new development will be assessed and certified by one of our government accredited team members who will not only work for you, but with you each step of the way.
Your design and budget goals become our goals and we will go above and beyond to help you achieve them without burning a hole in your hip pocket.
A Section J report demonstrates energy efficiency compliance for a Class 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9 building (commercial) which is defined by Section J (or Part J) of Volume One of the National Construction Code (NCC), formally known as the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
The NCC outlines that Section J reports should be prepared using Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) provisions and substantiation using a reference building (JV3) verification methodology.
A Section J report uses a prescriptive approach that sets out specific requirements for various building elements such as insulation, building fabric, external glazing performance, building sealing, air-conditioning, ventilation, power performance, artificial lighting, hot water supply and more.
As it is a prescriptive approach, each element is assessed with a pass or fail criteria. As a result, should the proposed development fail one part of the criteria, for example, the glazing component, NCC compliance will not be achieved, and recommendations will be provided to meet the minimum requirements.
Each proposed new building is assessed using a glazing calculator to quantify the overall thermal performance of glazed elements with glazing and frame types taken into consideration, window orientation as well as the relative ratio of glass to wall, and glass to floor.
A lighting calculator is also used to assess the required and maximum energy usage of any given room within the building in order to reduce energy consumption as well as meet overall state and national energy efficiency goals.
Areas that do not comply under the Section J provisions will receive recommendations in an attempt to meet the minimum requirements of the Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) provisions.
The Section J Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions method does not offer any flexibility for developers, as it is merely a ‘tick a box’ approach, which may greatly impact the overall costs of the project.
An alternative solution in JV3
A JV3 assessment uses a performance-based approach that evaluates the overall energy efficiency of a building through software simulations. It is a trusted method that provides more flexibility relating to the overall design.
Buildings with the same design, layout, and building materials, can have differing energy usage results when located in alternate climate zones. Location and specific weather conditions will impact the annual energy consumption of identical buildings.
A JV3 commercial building assessment is very similar to a NatHERS residential thermal performance software simulation, allowing greater flexibility for glazing, insulation and other building elements.
Please contact the team at Stellar Thermal for more information regarding your new or existing commercial development.
Stellar Thermal Assessments acknowledges the Yuhameh, also known as the Minyangbal people as the traditional custodians of the land located in South-East Queensland and North-East New South Wales. We recognise their continuing connection to the land and waters and thank them for protecting the coastline and its ecosystems since time immemorial. We pay our respects to their elders, both past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders.
Made by Sierra Six
© 2023 Stellar Thermal Assessments
