Software accreditation
There are currently three NatHERS software tools available for use in rating the thermal performance of homes in Australia.
AccuRate is Australia's national benchmark software tool and was designed by the CSIRO based on decades of scientific research about the way buildings operate in Australian conditions. AccuRate is fully accredited for use in NatHERS.
The software tool BERS Professional (designed by Solar Logic) is also fully accredited for use in NatHERS. FirstRate 5 (designed by Sustainability Victoria) is provisionally accredited for use in NatHERS, and is currently undergoing assessment for full accreditation.
All three software tools use the same underlying calculation engine (Chenath Engine) that was designed by the CSIRO. BERS Professional and FirstRate 5 provide building professionals with alternative user interfaces.
Accredited 2nd generation NatHERS software tools
- AccuRate (Version 1.1.4.1) - accredited May 2006
- AccuRate Sustainability (Version 2.0.2.13) - accredited March 2011
- BERS Professional (Version 4.2.110811) - accredited August 2011
- BERS Professional (Version 4.1 (03/09/09) - granted provisional accreditation to 30 September 2011
- FirstRate 5 (Version 5.0 Build 215) - granted provisional accreditation to 30 September 2011
- First Rate 5 v 5.1.7 - granted accreditation 30 September 2011
Validation of Benchmark Software
The current version of AccuRate was validated against the international standard ANSI/ASHRAE 140-2001 in 2004 (also known as BESTEST). This testing procedure involved comparing the results produced by AccuRate against the results from a set of international 'reference' programs. Generally AccuRate agreed very well with the reference programs and no major discrepancies were found.
Software Accreditation Protocol
The test procedure, called the Software Accreditation Protocol, involves a suitably expert person demonstrating and declaring that a particular software produces compatible results across a portfolio of building designs and climate zones.
- Download the Software Accreditation Protocol
Documents are available for downloading as PDF files. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view these files.
If you are unable to access these documents, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.
The Energy Efficiency Working Group (E2WG), comprising representatives of the Commonwealth and all State and Territory Governments is responsible for overseeing policy for NatHERS.
E2WG has approved the provisional accreditation of the NatHERS software tools, FirstRate 5 and BERS Professional until 31 March 2011 to enable both tools to complete the full accreditation process.