Heating and cooling homes adds cost to energy bills and impacts the environment. The amount of energy needed to stay warm in winter and cool in summer can easily be reduced by the good design and construction of our homes.
Assessing a building's thermal performance at design stage can identify simple, economical ways to make it more comfortable and save energy.
NatHERS enables the design of a home to be assessed by skilled professionals using sophisticated computer modeling programmes to improve the quality of design and achieve building approvals.
NatHERS sets national standards for professionals offering assessment services as well as the software they use.
21 November 2011 - NatHERS qualifications update
The Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council (CPSISC) has been commissioned to develop the new NatHERS qualification on behalf of the National Framework for Energy Efficiency - Residential Buildings Implementation Committee.
The project began in April 2011 and consultations have taken place in every state and territory in Australia with government, industry and business stakeholders. A Project Steering Committee has been overseeing the project. The Committee is made up of accreditation bodies, industry associations, state and territory education specialists, regulators and technical experts.
The first draft units of competency and qualification structure are open for public feedback at the CPSISC website.
November 2011 - New MOU recognises NatHERS in the BCA
On 11 November 2011, the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE), as the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) National Administrator, and the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), signed an MOU that sets out how both bodies will work together to ensure NatHERS accredited software is suitable for BCA compliance.
Accurate Sustainability - Release of new version of NatHERS software
A new version of NatHERS software has now been approved for use under the Scheme: AccuRate Sustainability Version 2.0.2.13
Two versions of AccuRate are now available; both versions meet NatHERS accreditation requirements. The earlier version, AccuRate V.1.1.4.1, will be supported by the distributor, Hearne Scientific Software Pty Ltd, until 30 April 2012.
The new AccuRate Sustainability V.2.0.2.13 has been approved for use by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and representatives of State and Territory Governments.
For information regarding compliance of AccuRate Sustainability with the Building Code of Australia please refer to the Australian Building Codes Board website: www.abcb.gov.au
Software Accreditation Update - BERSPro and FirstRate
NatHERS National Administrator has granted accreditation to BERSPro 4.2 110811 and First Rate 5 v5.1.7 for use under NatHERS.
The provisional accreditation of the current versions of First Rate 5 (Version 5, Build 215) and BERS Pro (Version 4.1) will continue to 30 September 2011.
First Rate 5 and BERSPro assessors and assessor accrediting organisations will be advised by their software distributor regarding updating their rating software.
Assessor Accrediting Organisations update
The Building Designers Association of Victoria is deemed eligible as a NatHERS Assessor Accrediting Organisation according to the NatHERS Protocol for Assessor Accrediting Organisations. Full accreditation status has been granted from 30 September 2011.