NCC 2022
Proposed amendments to the NCC 2022 energy efficiency and condensation technical provisions O
n the 1st of February 2019 the Energy Ministers agreed to the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings, a national plan that sets a trajectory towards zero energy (and carbon) ready buildings for Australia. This report focussed on improving new buildings. NCC 2022 is part of this body of work. After a major stringency increase for commercial buildings in NCC 2019, Building Ministers directed the ABCB to develop enhanced residential energy efficiency provisions informed by the former COAG Energy Council’s Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings policy.
SUMMARY OF MAJOR CHANGES 1. Stringency increase the Star Rating Measure
What’s likely to be involved?
Increase in thermal performance from the current level, equivalent to 6 Star NatHERS, to the equivalent of 7 Stars.
Higher window and glazing performance Increases in ceiling and wall insulation R-values Restrictions on wall and roof colours Changes to structural floor systems (insulated slabs or sub-floor insulation.
2. W hole of home energy use requirements added Measure
What’s likely to be involved?
Whole of home annual energy use requirements.
Introduction of a collective energy use budget for; Hot water systems Lighting Swimming pool and spa pumps.
Differences between Class 1 and Class 2 Buildings.
This work supports the Australian Government’s commitment under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the National Energy Productivity Plan.
Ability to trade between the efficiency of systems for annual energy use budget. Onsite renewables may be installed to offset the energy consumption of the equipment but not the building fabric.
These policies all include a focus on the role that buildings play in reducing emissions, improving energy productivity, reducing household energy bills and helping to transition to the greater use of renewable energy and zero emissions vehicles.
As well as meeting the 7-Star requirement, new houses and single occupancy units (SOU) will need to meet a collective energy use budget for heating and cooling systems, hot water, lighting and swimming pool and spa pumps (where fitted).
The following is an overview of the major changes that will be implemented in the NCC 2022.
The ABCB will provide a simple whole-of-home calculator to assist in quickly
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Master Builders Victoria – GREEN
determining the requirements. The NatHERS Administrator is also working on expanding NatHERS beyond thermal comfort to incorporate whole-of-home requirements to align with the proposed NCC 2022 provisions. This will allow the whole of home assessment to be completed as part of the energy rating.
LIVING 2021