NCC 2019 Volume Two
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Part 3.12 Energy efficiency
Where an alternative energy efficiency design is proposed as a Performance Solution to that described in Part 3.12, that proposal must comply with—
State and Territory Variations
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.Performance RequirementP2.6.1 for the thermal performance of the building is satisfied by—
complying with—
3.12.0.1, for reducing the heating or cooling loads; and
3.12.1.2(c) and 3.12.1.4(d), for thermal breaks; and
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
3.12.1.5(c) and 3.12.1.5(d), for floor edge insulation; and
Part 3.12.3, for building sealing; or
complying with—
Part 3.12.1, for the building fabric; and
Part 3.12.2, for the external glazing and shading; and
Part 3.12.3, for building sealing; and
Part 3.12.4, for air movement.
State and Territory Variations
3.12.0(a) is replaced in Victoria as follows:
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.
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
Performance RequirementP2.6.2 for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is satisfied by complying with Part 3.12.5.
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.
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—
6 stars; or
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—
is fully covered with an impervious roof having a Total R-Value greater than or equal to 1.5 (for downward heat flow); or
has at least one permanently installed ceiling fan; or
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—
is fully covered with an impervious roof having a Total R-Value greater than or equal to 1.5 (for downward heat flow); and
has at least one permanently installed ceiling fan.
The heating and cooling load limits in (a) are specified in the ABCB Standard for NatHERS Heating and Cooling Load Limits.
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:
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 |
An outdoor living area in (a)(ii) and (a)(iii) is a space that—
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
has a floor area greater than or equal to 12.0 m2; and
has length and width dimensions greater than or equal to 2.5 m each; and
has an opening height above floor level greater than or equal to 2.1 m; and
has one side permanently open with a second side either—
permanently open; or
readily openable.
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.