NCC 2019 Volume Two Amendment 1
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Part 3.12 Energy efficiency

Part 3.12 Energy efficiency

Note:

Note:

From 1 May 2019 to 30 April 2020 Part 3.12 of NCC 2016 Volume Two may apply instead of Part 3.12 of NCC 2019. From 1 May 2020 Part 3.12 of NCC 2019 applies.

Appropriate Performance Requirement

Appropriate Performance Requirements

Where an alternative energy efficiency design is proposed as a Performance Solution to that described in Part 3.12, that proposal must comply with—

  1. Performance RequirementP2.6.1; and
  2. Performance RequirementP2.6.2; and
  3. the relevant Performance Requirements determined in accordance with A2.2(3) and A2.4(3) as applicable.

State and Territory Variations

State and Territory Variations

  1. In New South Wales, Part 3.12 does not apply.

Note: The New South Wales Additions contain energy efficiency measures that apply in New South Wales to support and complement BASIX.

In the Northern Territory, Part 3.12 is replaced with BCA 2009 Part 3.12. In South Australia, for the purposes of this Part, a sunroom or the like is deemed to be a Class 10a building and must comply with 3.12.1.6. In Queensland, building work for the energy efficiency of Class 1 buildings is also regulated by the Building Act From 1 May 2020 Part 3.12 of BCA 2019 applies. In the Australian Capital Territory, see the ACT Appendix for further information on application to building work on new buildings and additions to existing buildings in the ACT.

3.12.0 Application of Part 3.12

(a)

Performance RequirementP2.6.1 for the thermal performance of the building is satisfied by—

(i)

complying with—

(A)

3.12.0.1, for reducing the heating or cooling loads; and

(B)

3.12.1.1, for building fabric thermal insulation; and

(C)

3.12.1.2(c) and 3.12.1.4(d), for thermal breaks; and

(D)

3.12.1.2(e), for compensating for a loss of ceiling insulation, other than where the house energy rating software used can automatically compensate for a loss of ceiling insulation; and

(E)

3.12.1.5(c) and 3.12.1.5(d), for floor edge insulation; and

(F)

Part 3.12.3, for building sealing; or

(ii)

complying with—

(A)

Part 3.12.1, for the building fabric; and

(B)

Part 3.12.2, for the external glazing and shading; and

(C)

Part 3.12.3, for building sealing; and

(D)

Part 3.12.4, for air movement.

State and Territory Variations

State and Territory Variations

3.12.0(a) is replaced in Victoria as follows:

  1. Performance RequirementP2.6.1 for the thermal performance of the building is satisfied by—
    1. complying with—
      1. 3.12.0.1, for reducing the heating or cooling loads; and
      2. 3.12.1.1, for building fabric thermal insulation; and
      3. 3.12.1.2(c) and 3.12.1.4(d), for thermal breaks; and
      4. 3.12.1.2(e), for compensating for a loss of ceiling insulation; and
      5. 3.12.1.5(c) and 3.12.1.5(d), for floor edge insulation; and
      6. Part 3.12.3, for building sealing; and

in the case of a new Class 1 building, having either a rainwater tank connected to all sanitary flushing systems, or a solar water heater system, installed in accordance with the Plumbing Regulations 2018.

  1. complying with—
    1. Part 3.12.1, for the building fabric; and
    2. Part 3.12.2, for the external glazing and shading; and
    3. Part 3.12.3, for building sealing; and
    4. Part 3.12.4, for air movement; and

in the case of a new Class 1 building, having either a rainwater tank connected to all sanitary flushing systems, or a solar water heater system, installed in accordance with the Plumbing Regulations 2018; or

(b)

Performance RequirementP2.6.2 for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is satisfied by complying with Part 3.12.5.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:

There are two options for complying with the energy efficiency Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions Part 3.12.1 to 3.12.4:

Option 1 Energy Rating — 3.12.0(a)(i) to achieve the required energy rating and comply with (B) to (F) for energy-saving features such as the testing and installation of insulation, thermal breaks, compensation for downlights other than where the house energy rating software used can automatically compensate for a loss of ceiling insulation, floor edge insulation and detailed provisions for building sealing.

Option 2 Elemental Provisions — 3.12.0(a)(ii) to satisfy all the detailed provisions including meeting the Total R-Values of roofs, walls and floors, the glazing allowances and the air movement requirements. These detailed provisions also include the testing and installation of insulation, thermal breaks, compensation for downlights, floor edge insulation and detailed provisions for building sealing.

3.12.0.1 Heating and cooling loads

(a)

A building must achieve an energy rating, including the separate heating and cooling load limits, using house energy rating software, of greater than or equal to—

(i)

6 stars; or

(ii)

for a building in climate zones 1 or 2, 5.5 stars if the building has an outdoor living area as described in (c) if the outdoor living area—

(A)

is fully covered with an impervious roof having a Total R-Value greater than or equal to 1.5 (for downward heat flow); or

(B)

has at least one permanently installed ceiling fan; or

(iii)

for a building in climate zones 1 or 2, 5 stars if the building has an outdoor living area as described in (c) if the outdoor living area—

(A)

is fully covered with an impervious roof having a Total R-Value greater than or equal to 1.5 (for downward heat flow); and

(B)

has at least one permanently installed ceiling fan.

(b)

The heating and cooling load limits in (a) are specified in the ABCB Standard for NatHERS Heating and Cooling Load Limits.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:
  1. To comply with (a), the modelled energy loads of a building must not exceed three separate load limits, i.e.—
    1. the total load limit corresponding to the applicable star rating; and
    2. the heating load limit; and
    3. the cooling load limit.
  2. Information about building modelling using house energy rating software is available at www.nathers.gov.au.
  3. The ABCB Standard for NatHERS Heating and Cooling Load Limits can be accessed at www.abcb.gov.au.
  4. To comply with (a)(ii), either insulate the roof of the outdoor living area, or provide a ceiling fan.
  5. To comply with (a)(iii), insulate the roof of the outdoor living area and provide a ceiling fan.
  6. The options for complying with 3.12.0.1(a) are shown in the following flowchart.
v2_Fig31201_2019.svg

State and Territory Variations

State and Territory Variations

In South Australia after 3.12.0.1(a)(iii) , add SA 3.12.0.1(a)(iv) and (v) ; SA 3.12.0.1(b) and (c) ; and SA Table 3.12.0.1 as follows:

    1. for an elevated building with a lightweight flooring system that has a floor area up to and including 60 m² – 5 stars; or
    2. for an elevated building with a lightweight flooring system that is located in climate zone 4, a local government area listed in (c), or an area not within a local government council and it has an on-site renewable energy source complying with (b) installed and connected to the building – 5 stars.
  2. The minimum level of energy to be generated annually by an on-site renewable energy source provided in accordance with (a)(v) must be determined by multiplying the floor area of the building by the appropriate value in SA Table 3.12.0.1 for the energy rating achieved by the building.

    SA Table 3.12.0.1 Required minimum level of energy to be generated by an on-site renewable energy source

    Climate Zone

    Star rating of Class 1 building 5.0 - 5.4 stars

    Star rating of Class 1 building 5.5 - 5.9 stars

    4

    4.6 kWh/m2

    3.8 kWh/m2

    5

    3.9 kWh/m2

    3.4 kWh/m2

    6

    8.5 kWh/m2

    7.6 kWh/m2
  3. The local government areas where (a)(v) applies are—
    • Ceduna Council
    • Cleve Council
    • The Coorong District Council
    • Elliston Council
    • Flinders Ranges Council
    • Franklin Harbour Council
    • Goyder Council
    • Kangaroo Island Council
    • Karoonda East Murray Council
    • Kimba Council
    • Lower Eyre Peninsula Council
    • Mid Murray Council
    • Mount Remarkable Council
    • Orroroo Carrieton Council
    • Peterborough Council
    • Southern Mallee Council
    • Streaky Bay Council
    • Tatiara Council
    • Tumby Bay Council
    • Wudinna Council
(c)

An outdoor living area in (a)(ii) and (a)(iii) is a space that—

(i)

is directly adjoining, and directly accessible from, a general purpose living area of a Class 1 building such as a lounge, kitchen, dining or family room, which is not a room for sleeping or specialist tasks such as a study or home theatre; and

(ii)

has a floor area greater than or equal to 12.0 m2; and

(iii)

has length and width dimensions greater than or equal to 2.5 m each; and

(iv)

has an opening height above floor level greater than or equal to 2.1 m; and

(v)

has one side permanently open with a second side either—

(A)

permanently open; or

(B)

readily openable.

(d)

The sides referred to in (c)(v) must be greater than or equal to 900 mm from an allotment boundary or 900 mm from an obstruction to the breeze path such as a building, fence or other structure.

Explanatory information:

Explanatory information:
  1. The opening height in (c)(iv) is to provide a breeze path and is likely to be the measurement from the floor to the underside of a perimeter beam. It is not a ceiling height measurement. It is also not a height for mounting a ceiling fan or the height of ceiling fan blades above the floor. These dimensions need to be determined considering the activities in the space, the safety of occupants of the space and any appropriate safety standards.
  2. There is some survey evidence that suggests the majority of home owners turn off their air-conditioners when using an outdoor living area. Another cost effective option is to install a reed switch or other micro switch on the door leading to the outdoor living area in order to automatically deactivate an air-conditioning unit when the door is left open for a period which allows occupants to enter and leave the air-conditioned space but does not affect the operation of the air-conditioner.
  3. A side referred to in (c)(v) may contain some obstructions such as columns and barriers. Where an open side is required to have a 1 m barrier, consideration as to the type (wire, solid or other) should be made with regard to the overall opening area of the two sides.
(e)

Where a ceiling fan is required as part of compliance with (a)(ii) or (a)(iii), the fan must comply with 3.12.4.3.