Energy-Rating-Webcast-May-2020

Energy Rating Webcast_ May 2020 


[Image appears of Anthony Wright talking to the camera and a Participant bar can be seen at the bottom of the screen] 

Anthony Wright: Welcome everyone. I hope you can all see and hear me. This is new territory for CSIRO to host a webinar. Thank you all for attending. We’ve got great attendance. I think there was 186ish people in the lobby last time I had a look. You’ll… before we start I just wanted to make sure that you’re all advised of a quick correction.

When we sent out the invitation for this webinar we included a reference to the delay of our Australian Residential Energy Rating Conference. The dates on that were unfortunately incorrect. So, you should see in front of you a slide now showing the correct dates of Thursday 20th to Friday 21st May in 2021.

[Image continues to show Anthony talking to the camera]

So we’ve essentially put forward that conference by over 12 months more or less. This webinar would have been a session at that conference. We’ve got speakers Jodie Pipkorn from the Department, Audrey Chen from Building Codes Board and Katrina Woolfe and Alberto from DELWP talking about their experience doing some compliance checking research.

We have brought forward this session, or we’ve included this session as a webinar because we didn’t want assessors and others to miss out on the information these speakers have to share and if we are successful in running this webinar and you guys enjoy it and it delivers for you we have a couple of other sessions from the conference that we may deliver later in the year as well.

[Image continues to show Anthony talking to the camera]

That is to say this is our very first effort at this and we may make mistakes on the way. We have speakers in four states. We have a variety of different formats that they can accept in terms of the webinar software and their departmental restrictions and security requirements and so on. So, we have kept it pretty simple for this webinar. We won’t be doing polls or anything confusing along the way. And I’ve just been told to share my slides. So, I’ve already done that incorrectly. So, I apologise to everybody. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a building plan in the background and text in the foreground: Australian Residential Energy Rating Conference, Thursday 20 – Friday 21 May 2021]

I hope you’ve got me now. There’s that slide with the Energy Rating Conference dates on it. So yes, as I was apologising for our unfamiliarity with the technology I was busy stuffing it up. So, thank you for your patience. I’ve also lost where I was up to. The format of this session, we’ve got three speakers. We’re going to run through in order of the agenda. So Jodie will be up first, followed by Audrey, followed by Katrina and Alberto. 

We’ll be taking questions and you’ll see in your webinar that there are two areas where you can chat. There’s one for chatting amongst yourselves, that’s the Chat function and there’s one area for asking questions of the speakers. Please put your questions to the speakers in the Questions section and not in the Chat section.

[Image continues to show the same slide on the screen]

There will be a CSIRO representative, our good friend and helper Eric, who will be in the Chat session with you. If you have any technical issues Eric should be able to respond to those. He may come up as VBRICAdmin1 but that is a CSIRO Help that we use there to help you with the technical issues and also remind you to put questions for the speakers into the Questions section. I will then be moderating again the Panel discussion and transferring those questions to the speakers, depending on who’s relevant to answer them. 

A few other things, a couple of people have asked us about CPD. We’re not offering CPD points for this session. It’s something we’ll consider for the next session, but at this session taking registrations and checking that people have come, and doing all of the things that we would need to do to make it a CPD session were a bit more complicated than we wanted to handle on our first effort with the technology. So, if we get this one more or less right and we get comfortable with the technology we’ll think about offering the CPD for the next one we offer. 

A number of people have also asked us about recording the session. We are recording the session. We hope and expect to make it available to you all after the session and we’ll get in touch with you about how we’re going to do that and make sure that’s all working and is all OK after this session. So, it’s our expectation, our hope that we would do that and you’ll hear about that shortly. I think that’s probably it from me. 

[Image changes to show Anthony talking to the camera again and the Participant bar can be seen at the bottom of the screen]

So, without further ado I’m going to hand over to our first speaker Jodie Pipkorn and bear with me a second while I bring up Jodie’s slides. I will hand over to Jodie. Jodie would you like to go ahead?

[Image changes to show Jodie Pipkorn talking to the camera and Anthony can be seen listening in the Participant bar at the bottom of the screen]

Jodie Pipkorn: Thanks Anthony and hello everyone. This is all very new so let’s see how we go. I don’t know whether the slides are up yet because I can’t see them. 

[Image changes to show Anthony talking on the main screen and Jodie can be seen listening in the Participant bar at the bottom of the screen]

Anthony Wright: Bear with me, sorry I’ve put the wrong ones.

[Image changes to show a new slide on the screen showing a text heading and text: Next steps for the Trajectory for Lower Energy Buildings, Australian Residential Energy Ratings Webinar, 27 May 2020, Jodie Pipkorn, Manager Residential Buildings and NatHERS Policy Team, Supporting economic growth and job creation for all Australians/industry.gov.au]

Jodie Pipkorn: OK. Well the title of my slide, which is about to come up, is called Next Steps for the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings. There we go. Hopefully everyone can see that now. And what I’m going to cover today is, just to give a brief overview of the trajectory, where we got to, and some of the next steps that we’re doing. I won’t go into a lot of detail on the regulatory changes and things that are being proposed for the National Construction Code. I’ll leave that for Audrey. With some of the compliance things that we’re progressing I’ll leave that for Alberto and Katrina to cover. So, I’ll just give more of the overview and then the next two speakers can give more of the detail.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing text heading on a blue screen: National context, Trajectory for Lower Energy Buildings and its Addendum]

So, if we move to the next slide, so to start off with, here’s the national context. 

[Image changes to show a timeline moving from 2015 to 2020 showing two brochures along the timeline at the 2015 and the 2019 mark and text headings appear: National policies for the residential building sector the National Energy Productivity Plan (NEPP) 2015 – 2030, Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings and its Addendum – Existing Buildings]

So, I’m going to jump onto the next slide and as you can see in this slide there’s been a couple of national policies for the residential building sector that are relevant to this conversation today. Back in 2015 the National  Energy Productivity Plan was established and there were a number of measures in that that related to regulation and energy ratings. And so, that was established. We’ve been working through that and then in 2019 COAG Energy Council agreed to the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings and its Addendum for Existing Buildings.

And in that there was an agreement that was, it set a trajectory towards zero energy and zero carbon ready buildings and then there were a suite of initiatives for new and existing buildings in that and for residential buildings in particular. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing two brochures on the right hand side and information points relating to the trajectory below the text heading: The Trajectory and its Addendum]

If we move to the next slide just to give you a bit of detail of what was in those addendums, as I mentioned we set a trajectory to the zero energy and zero ready buildings. And what that means is that these are buildings that are energy efficient with their thermal shell that, you know, NatHERS currently covers. It incorporates appliances, so makes sure the appliances are energy efficient and then there’s, the energy that the whole building is using is sufficiently low that it could be connected to renewable energy either onsite or offsite to become zero energy.

What we did in coming up with that zero energy ready was that we did identify at that stage through the trajectory that there, it’s difficult for some buildings to be completely zero energy onsite so that’s where it’s really, the focus is about the energy efficiency and making sure buildings are ready to get there.

[Image continues to show the same slide on the screen]

So, in setting that trajectory for the sector for new and existing buildings, some of the initiatives that were identified was the next dot point on there, which is the increases to the National Construction Code. There were a number of increases proposed for the NCC 2022 and that was really around the, getting towards that zero energy ready buildings and moving to a whole-of-home approach for ratings.

And that’s where the next dot point which is expanding NatHERS to offer nationally accredited whole-of-home tools comes into play because it’s really around getting NatHERS prepared that it can actually identify and say, yep what houses are ready and how close they are to zero to support the trajectory but also depending on the code changes that they come into play in 2022, NatHERS could also support those code changes.

[Image continues to show the same slide on the main screen]

In addition to all of that that’s relevant to this conversation, there were a number of measures for improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings and one of the key aspects in that was related to energy ratings is that it was an agreement to deliver home energy ratings, a framework for existing homes which leverages nationalist framework and accommodates rating tools. So, it’s really looking at how do you actually rate existing homes as well, noting that there’s different ways that you need, that needs to be done. So, that’s the trajectory and its addendum. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a diagram showing the trajectory work streams moving from Enabling mechanisms, through Targeted residential building policies, to Supporting measures]

If we move to the next slide, sorry, and we look at the work streams. So, what we’ve done is we’ve divided up that trajectory with all different policy initiatives into these trajectory workstreams. So, what we did, the first lot of workstreams was really around what we were calling “Enabling mechanisms”. And so this is really making sure that the foundations are in place as to how to get to the zero energy ready buildings.

So, the first one is practical guidance to consumers. So, it’s the base level of information that people know how to get there. It’s making sure that the supply chain development’s in place to make sure industry can deliver that and they understand what it means and how to deliver these buildings. And then the “Energy ratings and tools” which is circled there is the other measure that it, and it supports industry and consumers to make those informed decisions about how to get to that zero target.

[Image continues to show the same slide on the screen]

What that then does it that leads, once those enabling mechanisms are in place that leads to the “Targeted residential building policies”. And so the policies that were identified, starting from the left was the “Energy efficiency disclosure”. So, that’s disclosing the information and rating at the point of sale and lease. We’ve got the “Minimum rental requirement”. So, making sure that there’s at least a minimum standard for a lot of rental properties, particularly for existing homes. And then the one on the right which is relevant to the conversation today is the “Energy efficiency requirements for new builds and, you know, major renovations”. 

They’ve actually got relevant requirements in place so that they’re actually supporting that move and the trajectory to the zero energy buildings. Those dotted lines between the energy ratings is really about the common, the iterative approach that we’re, we’re adopting which is, we’ve got energy ratings and tools that can support these targeted policies but at the same time those targeted policies are going to have to inform that energy rating and tool framework. So, it’s really how do the two work together? At the moment we’re really wanting to leverage what we’ve currently got for NatHERS but there’s opportunities to look at, well what needs to change in NatHERS to also support those other policies.

[Image continues to show the same slide on the screen]

At the bottom of the page there we’ve got a whole lot of “Supporting measures” and this was, in the trajectory it was identified that what we need is a suite of initiatives and those targeted building policies can only go so far and there’s particular areas that are worth having supporting and targeted measures on, measures on. So, things like vulnerable consumers, making sure that those policies that, don’t adversely impact vulnerable consumers and so making sure that we’re, we’re, those targeted policies are working together with other policies as appropriate and financial incentives making sure that they’re targeted to make sure we’re delivering on what we want relevant to those targeted policies. So, that’s the overview of the trajectory and that’s where the energy ratings kind of fits into it. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a diagram with a timeline of deliverables showing text headings: Deliverables for energy ratings and tools work stream, End 2020, Expand NatHERS to cover whole-of-home ratings, Underway, Supports Trajectory target and potentially NCC 2022 changes, Mid 2021 Leverage NatHERS to deliver energy efficiency rating tools(s) for existing homes, Commenced, Supports Trajectory target and potentially disclosure rental requirements etc., Mid 2021, Establish a national framework for energy efficiency disclosure, to start mid-2020, Outcome, Support consumers and industry to make informed decisions about home energy efficiency for both new/existing homes, through the provision of an assessment, information and a national energy efficiency rating]

And because we’ll talk about energy ratings today I thought the next slide, if we move to the next slide, focuses on, so let’s look at delivering the energy ratings and tools work stream more specifically now. So, what this diagram shows that from the end of 2020 we’re expanding NatHERS to cover whole-of-home ratings. So, we’re currently doing that work and that work’s underway and the intention is that’ll support the trajectory and potentially support the NCC 2022 changes. 

The next one along is in mid-2021. In the trajectory it committed that we’d leverage NatHERS to deliver energy efficiency rating tools for existing homes and what that will do is support the trajectory target for, particularly for existing homes and moving them to zero. But it also potentially supports disclosure, rental requirements in those other policies. 

[Image continues to show the same slide on the screen]

The next commitment was in mid-2021 we’d also, there was a commitment to establish a national framework for energy efficiency disclosure and we’re looking at starting the work on that and the scoping from the middle of this year. And all of the intention of this energy ratings and tools work stream is really to support consumers and industry to make informed decisions about their home energy efficiency for both new and existing homes and through the provision of an assessment, information and a national energy efficiency rating.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a text heading on a blue screen: Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, Expansion and extension]

So, that’s the, the scope of, and the focus of all of the work that we’re doing in this work stream. If we move to the next slide we’re now going to kick in to so what does this mean for NatHERS because I thought in this conversation this’ll be probably where the most interest is. And so, what this is looking at is how we’re expanding and extending NatHERS based on the conversation I’ve just flagged.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a diagram explaining the NatHERS Ecosystem starting with the Current State of Play, moving through, Expansion, Extension and Future and text: NatHERS will consider communication clarity with other government rating systems and industry led initiatives]

So, if we move to the next slide. This is quite a complex drawing but we’re trying to I suppose pull the pieces of that puzzle together. So, if we look at, start on this in the top left-hand corner where it says, “Current state of play”, at the moment we’ve got NatHERS and we’ve got four tools that are accredited under NatHERS. There was one that was recently accredited, Hero. So, there’s four tools that are accredited for the thermal and they’re mainly used for new builds.

Under that line what’s also currently in play is there’s a range of tools that currently align with the NatHERS thermal or use the NatHERS thermal as an input to provide a whole-of-home rating and/or assessment. And Basix in New South Wales has the input from the NatHERS thermal. The Scorecard is aligned to the NatHERS thermal and we’ve got the AccuRate Sustainability, AusZEH, and there’s also Zero Net Carbon. 

[Image continues to show the same slide on the main screen]

What we’re looking at doing when we say talk about expansion which is under development at the moment is looking at, OK, could NatHERS actually accredit whole-of-home rating tools and particularly for the focus of new builds. So, it’s really taking what’s current, in that current state of play, and making it that we actually have accredited a whole-of-home. What we’re also then looking at what we’re calling the extension is also investigating, accrediting existing home rating tools and when we’re saying existing home rating tools, it’s not that NatHERS tools can’t do existing homes at the moment but one of the things that’s a big difference is that in, and what we’re, I’ll explain a bit further in the existing home state is a lot of times you don’t have floor plans, you don’t have the information. So, it’s mainly how you get that information or doing an in-home assessment that enables the rating to be established and the assessment to be conducted. 

So, that’s the work that we’ve started on. In the future, as identified in this, there’s you know, NatHERS could be expanded to look at resilience, embodied energy and all these other things but at the moment we’ve said, “Let’s look at moving to whole-of-home. Let’s look at making sure we’ve got tools available and the processes in place to assess existing homes and all types of existing homes such that we can then move in the future to other aspects”. 

[Image continues to show the same slide on the screen]

The NABERS in the bottom corner, the reference, or the connection we’re making there is that we will need to consider communication clarity with other government and industry initiatives and the NABERS for apartment buildings has been established and they’re currently rolling out for the common areas of apartment buildings. So, what we want to do is make sure in the communications that happens, particularly in some of this space where it’s moving to consumers, is making sure that consumers understand the differences between these different rating systems that they may be getting information about. So, that’s kind of the eco-system and where we’re moving to. What I’m going to do is delve now into a bit more detail about the expansion and extension. 

[Image changes to show a diagram showing the makeup of the NatHERS framework and text heading and text appears: NatHERS framework, Objectives – Provide a framework for residential building assessment/rating tools to support, consistency, ease of understanding and communications for industry and consumers, an efficient and effective use of government resourcing]

So, if we move to the next slide. 

[Image flicks back to the previous slide and then back to the NatHERS framework slide again]

Oh, just before I move to the expansion, the NatHERS framework, just as a bit of context as to why we’re doing all this and why we’re using NatHERS, sorry, yep next slide Anthony, sorry about that. The objective for using NatHERS for a framework is really it’s a way to have consistency, ease of understanding and communications to industry and it’s an efficient and effective use of government resources because we already have a lot of this structure in place.

So, in that little diagram, if we start from the top centre, it can support a variety of programmes. So, as we’re already seeing NatHERS is supporting NCC implementation as one of the pathways but what we can also see is it could be used for exposure, minimum rental requirements, renovations, a whole lot of other initiatives. The Finance sector I know are interested and already using it in some of their initiatives. So, it’s really how can NatHERS underpin a whole range of different programmes.

[Image continues to show the same slide on the screen]

It’s harmonised outputs. So, at the moment NatHERS does have harmonised outputs through certificates. So, it’s how do we make sure that’s maintained as we expand and extend to these different modes. Having robust and credible information and science that underpins the assessments is important and so really building off what we’ve already got and how can we make that happen for these different aspects that we’re looking at expanding and extending to.

Consistent data is really important in bringing that together, efficient use of resources, national governance; it’s already nationally governed. So, it’s really how do we build off that? And there’s a choice of tools and that’s one of the things in NatHERS at the moment we’re seeing is that industry are developing tools fit for purpose for different users. So, it’s how do we make sure that those other tools and that innovation in the market can continue to happen whilst making sure that there is a consistency and all of those other benefits are delivered on.

[Image changes to show a diagram showing the make-up of the NatHERS whole-of-home and then an arrow pointing to a diagram on the right showing “Potential future modules” beneath text heading: NatHERS expansion to whole-of-home]

So, if we move to the next slide in terms of the expansion. So, what that means for the expansion to whole-of-home, at the top we’ve got the thermal. What we’re looking at doing is expanding to all of these other energy using types in the building, like the appliance energy use, the lighting, hot water. We’ve also got on there you’ll see that says optional is the cooking and plug-in appliances. One of the things if we’re looking at providing information to demonstrate how ready buildings are to go to zero is making sure it shows the whole picture. But it’s not to say that that would be regulated in the Code and so that’s where NatHERS can be designed and have this functionality for a range of different purposes and depending on those different purposes we can then nuance it to suit the specific policies.

We’ve also got on that that there’s future modules that could be considered. So, again it’s making sure that NatHERS over time will continually evolve and change as new technologies come on or as things change. But really we’re wanting to use that NatHERS framework as a way to encapsulate this and make it as simple as possible for industry and consumers to be getting that consistent information in a way that’s robust, credible, and has all of those benefits that I mentioned on the previous slide.

[Image changes to show a table showing a comparison between various government rating systems showing the text headings: Comparison between government rating systems, Primary use, Features covered, Type of assessment, Overall Output, Nationwide House, Victorian Residential Efficiency Scorecard, Nabers]

If we move to the next slide now. Just to do a quick comparison before I jump into the existing buildings. As I mentioned before we are looking at how do we actually make sure that NatHERS can provide for a range of different purposes, and at the moment as identified in this little table the primary use for NatHERS is on those new, new homes and it’s usually the NCC that people are using it for at the moment.

One of the things that we’ve been exploring, and we’ve done some national pilots of the Victorian Residential Efficiency Scorecard, we’ve, it’s been designed for the in-home assessments. They’re going into a home so there’s a process that we’ve been doing a pilot in that to inform our future policy developments. So, that’s another tool that consumers, it’s much more a consumer facing tool rather than a regulatory compliance tool. So, therefore it’s, it’s been targeting something, you know, a slightly different audience. So, it’s really what can we learn off that and how can we leverage all of that work? And then the NABERS, like I mentioned, that’s used nationally for voluntary assessments of the common areas of apartments.

[Image continues to show the same slide on the screen]

When we look at the features that are covered, what’s currently covered by NatHERS and is proposed to be covered under the whole-of-home is very similar to the Scorecard. So, we start to see similarities there. What we see in the NABERS for apartment buildings is that they’re much more in those common areas so they assess quite different things. If we then look at the type of assessment and I’ve highlighted these red in the slide, is one of the fundamental differences between all of these is that NatHERS does, it assesses off plans and documentation at the moment, not to say it can’t do others but that’s generally how it’s used. 

What we find with the Scorecard is it’s been designed for an in-home assessment. So, it’s been designed to simplify a lot of the processes and really focus on that as a, a purpose and then we’ve got NABERS, which it focuses on the operation of the building. So, whilst it uses documentation and the physical assessment, it uses the bills and so it’s a different approach again. What we then have is the overall output is out of ten stars or out of six. So, it’s starting, what we’ve done here is just to show some of those comparisons and differences between some of these schemes to look at, OK, if we’re going to extend NatHERS to existing buildings what does that mean and what do we have to take into account.

[Image changes to show a new slide entitled “What ‘NatHERS for existing homes’ could look like” showing a flow chart showing a progression through text headings and text: National Governance, National Tool/s, National assessment/Certificate to National database/Certificate register, National ratings aligned between new and existing homes]

If we move on to the next slide. Just as a hypothetical of what a NatHERS for existing homes could look like, I’m going to start right at the bottom of this slide which is having national ratings aligned between new and existing homes and particularly thinking about this between consumers, if they get a rating from NatHERS, or industry if they get a rating from NatHERS for a new home, and then you have a completely different rating for an existing home, it’s going to be confusing for everyone, let alone for everyone involved with NatHERS trying to explain it. So, it’s really how do we align those two most appropriately for the different purposes. 

At the moment, like this shows is that what it could look like is that we have national governance and we have regular stakeholder engagement as NatHERS currently has. So, that would be pretty straightforward. Having national tools, so it could be a national version of the Scorecard tool and other accredited tools that are suitable for climate zones and locations, so, that would be appropriate. Having national assessment and certificates is similar to NatHERS at the moment. It could have accredited assessors, quality assurance and the certificate and communication. But again, it’s the making sure it’s fit for purpose in the different way it may need to be assessed and then the national database and register.

[Image changes to show a new slide entitled “Process for NatHERS expansion and extension” showing a flow chart moving down the slide showing a timeline and text appears: May-June 2020 Consultation with NatHERS Technical Advisory Committee and Stakeholder Consultative Group on tools, methodologies, software accreditation processes, metrics and certificates/checklists, assessor processes, etc., July 2020 Energy Council Ministers consider proposed pathway for the design of NatHERS for Existing Homes (in-home) energy assessments, August 2020 to late 2020 Further development, consultation and implementation of NatHERS Whole-of-Home and Existing Homes (in-home), including consideration of potential NCC 2022 requirements]

So, that’s just an indication of some of the things that we’re exploring at the moment. And then if we move to the next slide. The process for the NatHERS expansion and extension, just to give you an idea of where it’s all going. So, May to June, which is right now, we’re currently on the expansion to whole-of-home. We’re currently working with our, getting ready for NatHERS Technical Advisory Committee and Stakeholder Consultative Group on the tools, methodologies, software accreditation processes where many of you on the call, on this line, may actually have been involved with some of the certificates and checklists works we’ve been doing. We’ve gone out to do a few surveys to see what is it that people would want to see from a whole-of-home assessment and so we’ve been working through all of those processes.

And then for extension to existing homes we’re basically starting… the process is much earlier in the stage and we’re working closely with jurisdictional colleagues through the pilots that we’ve done of the Residential Efficiency Scorecard and looking at what can we leverage and what are the different considerations such that we can then go out to the stakeholders and start engaging on that more comprehensively.

[Image continues to show the same slide on the screen]

What we’re looking at the moment in July, and this is one of the deadlines we’re working towards, is we’re looking at putting to Energy Council some of the considerations that need to be taken into account for the pathway for the design of a NatHERS for existing homes and what those options are such that we get a steer at the point as to the direction and then we’ll go and do as noted here in August to late 2020, we’ll do that further development, consultation and implementation. 

So, at the moment it’s the whole-of-home work is quite progressed. We’ve, at this stage, by the, so we’ve, at this stage by the middle of the year we’ll have some draft beta versions of tools and the methodologies and calculations and those types of things such that it can inform the consultation processes for NCC 2022. And then the work to extend NatHERS we’ll be looking at, it’s on a slightly different time frame but it’s going to start to, I suppose, leverage a lot of the work that’s been done on whole-of-home plus the other work that’s been done on the piloting of the Scorecards such that we can move forward and establish processes from NatHERS in that. And I think that was my last slide from recollection unless I’m mistaken.

[Image continues to show the same slide on the screen]

Anthony Wright: Yes it was. Thank you Jodie.

Jodie Pipkorn: Excellent. So, that gives you a broad context of all the different things that are going on.

[Image changes to show Jodie smiling at the camera and then the image changes to show Anthony talking to the camera and Jodie can be seen having a drink in the Participant bar at the bottom]

Anthony Wright: Thank you very much. I’m going to stop sharing for a minute, just long enough to see if we’ve got any questions coming in on this forum. So, Jodie I’m only going to ask you one question at the end of this session and then we’ll go back to Audrey for the ABCB view and we’ll pick up the rest of the questions later. So, folks on the webinar please don’t worry if your question doesn’t come up now. It will no doubt come up later when I’ve been through a few more of these. We’ve got a lot of questions coming in. 

So, is there a definite plan to move to net zero carbon housing in the short term? In Europe by December 2020 all new buildings were meant to perform at net zero carbon. Can you talk a little bit about the policy around that and what that looks like in Australia?

[Image changes to show Jodie talking to the camera and Anthony can be seen listening in the Participant bar at the bottom of the screen]

Jodie Pipkorn: So, when we did the trajectory there was no deadline as to when that had to happen because as many people would be aware, there’s different commitments by different jurisdictions in terms of what the targets are. Different jurisdictions are in different situations and placed differently as to, you know, I suppose where their industries are up to, what the different considerations they have. And I think it’s most obvious when you look at the different climates across the country that some climates it’s probably much easier to get to zero than in other climates. 

So, at the moment there’s no actual drop dead deadline but what the trajectory did was set that that’s where we’re heading. And so, it’s really how we prepare and over time that’s where we’re progressing to. How fast we’re going will, Audrey, I know the work that the ABC will be doing as part of the Regulatory Impact Statement process is really looking at what’s cost effective. 

[Image continues to show Jodie talking to the camera and Anthony can be seen inset in the Participant bar listening]

And when we did the trajectory we identified what’s cost effective now and what some, we put forward proposals as to where we think it could be going but again it’s what’s cost effective at different points of time and depe… because that’s where we’re heading it enables an opportunity to industry and you know, that’s where we’re heading so it’s really everyone can start preparing that but then in terms of how fast we go to get there that’s still got to be worked through. And again, different jurisdictions, different building sectors, different parts of the country will be probably more prepared than others to get there faster. And so, it’s really if we all head there we’ll have regular checking points over time and so over time we can continually re-calibrate what that looks like.

[Image changes to show Anthony talking to the camera and Jodie can be seen listening in the Participant bar at the bottom of the screen]

Anthony Wright: Great, thank you Jodie. And just a, an admin point, we’re getting a lot of questions coming through that are on topics that I think probably got covered later in Jodie’s presentation. So, maybe if  you could write a few of your questions down and then if we get an influx towards the end it would be better rather than me trying to filter them all at this end, the ones that we’ve already spoken about. So, if people could try and ask their questions towards the end of the speaker’s session that might just make it a bit easier for me to find the most relevant ones when it comes to asking the speaker those questions. Right we’re going to hand over now to Audrey Chen from the Australian Building Codes Board to have a chat about the changes that are underway there at the moment.
Now, let me just work out which one is Audrey’s presentation. Bear with me. I hope this is the right one. 

[Image changes to show a new slide on the screen and then the image changes to show a black screen]

Anthony Wright: Sorry Audrey I’ve got the wrong one. Let me try again.

Audrey Chen: Yeah, no worries.

[Image changes to show Anthony talking to the camera again]

Anthony Wright: So, sorry everybody I had a feeling this might happen. OK, Audrey I think we’re…

[Image changes to show a new slide showing the ABCB and National Construction Code logos and a text heading and text: NCC Residential Energy Efficiency Project, Audrey Chen, 27 May 2020]

Audrey Chen: That’s the right one. Great. Thanks Anthony. Hi everyone, my name is Audrey Chen. I’m the Senior Project Officer in the Australian Building Codes Board, ABCB and I’m responsible for residential energy efficiency provisions in the National Construction Code, NCC. Thanks for the opportunity to talk about the ABCB’s work on energy efficiency provisions for residential buildings. Next slide please.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing text: Content, ABCB and NCC, NCC residential energy efficiency, NCC 2022 Energy Efficiency Project (Residential)]

So, my presentation includes three parts. Firstly I’ll provide some context and background information about ABCB and NCC. Then I’ll briefly talk about the current residential energy efficiency provisions in the NCC. The last but not least, I will talk about current residential Energy Efficiency Project for NCC 2022. Next slide please, thanks.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing the cover of the IGA 2020 on the right and text appears on the left: Australian Building Codes Board, COAG standards writing body, Inter-Governmental Agreement, Objective]

So, who are we? ABCB is a consult of Australian Government, COAG standards writing body, that is responsible for the development of the NCC and it is a joint initiative of all three levels of governments established, and the Inter-Governmental Agreement, IGA. On the right side you can see the cover of the current IGA 2020. This document is also available on our website if you are interested. 

The IGA outlines the ABCB objective is to develop and maintain the NCC within a set of principles. I would like to emphasize on for, in my presentation. So, that is develop and maintain the NCC that is, you know, in accordance with strategic priorities established by the Building Minister Forum, BMF, that the NCC changes that address issues relating to the design construction performance and liveability of a building and construction. And NCC is the minimum necessary efficiently, minimum necessary to efficiently achieve safety and health, amenity and accessibility, as well as sustainability. 

[Image continues to show the same slide on the screen]

So, the ACC changes need to ensure there is a rigorously tested rationale for regulation and make sure it’s effective proportionate and there is no, non-regulatory alternative. Move to slide four please.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a diagram explaining the Australian Building Codes Board and text appears: Australian Building Codes Board, Not a regulator, Regulatory Framework of NCC]

It’s worth noting that we are not a regulator. The ACC is given legal status by the relevant legislation in each state and territory as showed in the graph on the right side of the slide. Also, it’s worth mentioning that administrative and compliance responsibilities lie with the states and territory for things such as appliance submission and approval process, issues of permission, inspection and audits etc. So, my presentation covers the NCC but not covers states and territory variations. Next slide please. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing the covers to Volume 1, 2 and 3 of the Building Code and Plumbing Code and text appears: National Construction Code (NCC), Performance-based Code, NCC includes, Building Code of Australia, Plumbing Code of Australia]

So, this slide is fairly straightforward. So, NCC is a performance based code containing all performance requirements for the construction of both new builds and a major renovation. The NCC includes a Building Code which comprises Volume 1 and Volume 2 as well as Plumbing Code in Volume 3. Next slide please.

[Image changes to shows a new slide showing a diagram of how the NCC works and text appears: Now the NCC works, Compliance Level, Compliance Solutions, Performance Requirements, Performance Solution, and/or, Deemed-to-satisfy Solution]

So, how the NCC works, Performance Requirements is the minimum level that buildings, building elements and plumbing and drainage systems must meet. The Performance Requirements can be met using either a Performance Solution, or use a Deemed-to-Satisfy, DTS, Solution. A Performance Solution is unique for each individual situation. These solutions are often flexible in achieving the outcomes and encouraging innovative design and technology use. A DTS Solution follows a set recipe that is deemed to meet the performance requirements.

[Image changes to show a table showing Building Classifications, Building Provisions, Plumbing Provisions below the text heading and text: NCC Residential Energy Efficiency, Class 1, Class 2 Sole-Occupancy Units (SOUs), Class 4 parts of Buildings] 

Next slide please. So next slide, I think the first question is asked, what are residential buildings? So, residential buildings are defined in accordance with the NCC building classifications as Class 1 buildings, that refers to detached and semi-detached dwellings. Class 2 sole occupants units, SOUs and a Class 4 parts of buildings. 

You can see from the table below that the energy, residential energy efficiency provisions are included across all three volumes. So, Class 1 is covered in Volume 2 for building provisions and Class 2 SOUs and Class 4 parts of buildings are covered in Volume 1. The plumbing provisions are about heated water systems in Volume 3.  For the simplistic I will focus on Class 1 in Volume 2 in the rest of my slides. Next please.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing text: NCC Residential Energy Efficiency, Performance Requirements – Compliance Level, Thermal performance (P2.6.1), Services (P2.6.2), Compliance Solutions, Deemed-to-Satisfy Solutions (DTS), Rating approach – NatHERS compliance pathway, DTS elemental provisions, Performance Solutions, Verification Methods, Other Performance Solutions]

From this slide I want to cover current Residential Energy Efficiency provisions in NCC 2019. There are two performance requirements in Volume 2 for Class 1 dwellings which are the thermal performance requirements and P2.6.1 and domestic services requirement and the P2.6.2. To meet the many trade compliance level, there are different compliance options. As we talked before there are Performance Solutions and DTS Solutions. In terms of DTS there are two options, one is an energy rating approach which is a NatHERS compliance pathway and the other one is the DTS elemental provisions. 

I will use NatHERS compliance pathway to explain how to meet the performance requirements in the next couple of slides. So, next slide please. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing text: NatHERS compliance pathway Thermal Performance (P2.6.1), Reducing heating and cooling loads, NatHERS star ratings, Split heating and cooling load limits, Other thermal performance requirements beyond NatHERS assessments]

So as Jodie mentioned, the NatHERS compliance pathway is a, I think, a close to probably 80% that are using this compliance pathway. So, for the thermal performance requirement, P2.6.1, including two components. Firstly, is the reducing heating and cooling loads which cover NatHERS star ratings and newly introduced split heating, cooling load limits.

The second component covers requirements beyond NatHERS assessments such as compensating for a loss of ceiling insulation, thermal bricks requirement, and the building ceiling requirements etc. Next slide, slide ten please. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing text: NatHERS compliance pathway Services (P2.6.2), Reducing greenhouse gas emissions for domestic services covering, Central heating water piping, heating and cooling, artificial lighting, water heater, and swimming/spa pool heating and pumping etc.]

As we discussed, the second mandatory performance requirement and the P2.6.2 is for domestic services to reduce greenhouse gas emission in accordance with Part 3.12.5 in Volume 2. In the slide, I listed some clauses covered in 3.12.5. To give an example, central heating water piping in an unconditioned space must be similarly insulated to achieve minimum material value. Now, I’m going to move to the last part of my presentation which is about NCC 2022 Residential Energy Efficiency Project. So, next slide please. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing text: NCC 2022 Energy Efficiency Project Context, July 2019 – Building Ministers’ Forum agreed… “to the development of enhanced energy efficiency provisions for residential buildings in the National Construction Code, informed by COAG Energy Council’s trajectory for low energy buildings”, Energy efficiency – NCC 2022 and beyond Scoping Study – released for public consultation (late July to early September 2019)]

So this slide is about the context of the NCC 2022 Energy Efficiency Project which as Jodie mentioned and that basically touched on that in her presentation, in early 2019 the COAG Energy Council requested that BMF update the NCC Energy Efficiency Provision in [38.58] of the Council’s trajectory for low energy buildings.

In response to this request, in July 2019 the BMF directed ABCB to investigate possible NCC changes with a particular focus on residential buildings for 2022. The changes are to be informed by the trajectory work. At the same time, at the same meeting, the BMF also agreed to release an Energy Efficiency Scoping Study for public consultation from late July to early September. A total of 135 submissions have been received from a broad range of individuals and groups and an Outcomes Report was developed. The Scoping Study and Outcomes Report as well as non-confidential submissions are all available on our website. Next slide please. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing text heading and text: NCC 2022 Energy Efficiency Project objective, Satisfy the direction of the BMF and Board, Are guided by the Trajectory, Are technically robust, Have solid economic justification, Enable our free market economy to work efficiently]

So, in this slide I would like to echo the four principles mentioned earlier regarding ABCB’s objective. So, our NCC 2022 review project is to deliver proposed changes for NCC 2022 to satisfy the direction of the BMF and ABCB Board and to develop proposed provisions guided by the trajectory for low energy buildings. The proposed change, the proposed changes are, are technically robust with a solid economic justification which is specifically referring to the Regulation Impact Statement race. 

The last point is about deliver proposed changes that are appropriate to the issue and ensure there is no, no regulatory alternative. In terms of scope of NCC 2022 Energy Efficiency Project for Residential Buildings, next slide please.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing text heading and text: NCC 2022 Energy Efficiency Project scope, Two Options, Option 1 – to achieve net zero regulated energy, Option 2 – to achieve the annual energy use budget with/without on-site renewable energy, For both options – thermal performance to achieve equivalent to 7 stars NatHERS, For both options – to consider a whole-of-house approach]

So, the work we are undertaking is to investigate and develop two options. With Option 1 to achieve net zero regulated energy by offsetting through onsite renewable energy, you probably notice this is slightly different from the trajectory. Option 2 is to achieve the annual energy use budget that can be with or without onsite renewable energy. Both options will achieve thermal performance equivalent to NatHERS 7-star and also consider a whole-of-house approach. The whole-of-house allows trade-off without compromising the minimum thermal performance. The regulated energy use, energy use for a regulated service which I explain in the next slide. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing symbols of an air conditioner, a gas heated pipe, a glowing light bulb and a pool pump below the text heading: NCC 2022 Energy Efficiency Project – Regulated Services]

So regulated service includes air conditioning, heated water system, lighting and swimming pool and spa pumps. The scope of regulated services were developed based on the trajectory, also it took consideration of the scope of domestic service in current NCC. So, next slide, number 15 please. 

[Image changes to show a table showing the development process of the NCC 2022 Energy Efficiency Project showing a timeline ranging from July 2019 to May 2022 below the text heading: NCC 2022 Energy Efficiency Project timelines]

The graph is about development process of the NCC 2022 Energy Efficiency Project. Please note the timeline, timelines are indicative. We’ve engaged 20, AVEX Consulting to develop the draft, the residential changes for NCC 2022. As you can see in the graph we are currently in the phase Development of Draft Provisions with assistance from consultants, technical working group, and committees. Also I would like to highlight the public consultation period in early 2021 for the draft provisions as well as the consultation race. So, next slide please. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing text: NCC 2022 Energy Efficiency Project timelines, Impact of COVID-19]

So you might want to ask about the impact of COVID-19 for our project. The scale of the impact from COVID-19 is unknown at this stage and we will continue working within the current timeframe as planned. Next slide please.

[Image changes to show a ABCB web page and text heading appears: Further information, .abcb.gov.au/Initiatives/All/energy-efficiency]

So, you could visit our project web page for the updates or information in relation to our NCC 2022 Residential Energy Efficiency Project. Last slide I believe. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing the ABCB and National Construction Code logos and text: Thank you, Questions?]

So, yes that brings us to the end of my presentation. Thank you so much for your interest and attention and any questions?

[Image changes to show Audrey listening while wearing a headset and then the image changes to show Anthony talking and Audrey can be seen inset listening in the Participant bar at the bottom]

Anthony Wright: Thank you Audrey, I’m just checking our specific question list now. Let me just refresh the questions and we’ll see what there is for you. 

Audrey Chen: Thank you.

Anthony Wright: There is a question here asking, “Basix in New South Wales is covering whole-of-home already. How does that relate to what’s going on?”.

[Image changes to show Audrey on the main screen talking to the camera and Anthony can be seen inset listening in the Participant bar at the bottom]

Audrey Chen: Yep, so Basix, that is New South Wales currently state variation. And so I think the Basix is particularly valuable in terms is it the only whole-of-house regulatory tools currently being used, I believe, things to [45.12] four. So, we have been, discussed with Basix team and basically learn from the Basix team. And in terms of what’s in the future that whether, how the New South Wales is going to adopt the whole-of-house approach as I mentioned in my presentation, so, as ABCB we have developed a kind of like national consistent approach but that’s subject to the states and territory to make a decision on adaptation and whether they would include any variations. So, yeah, so in that space that, we’re working closely with the Basix to learn from them but whether in the end is, whether that’s going to be the, in the final state regulation I can’t answer that question though.

[Image changes to show Anthony talking to the camera and Audrey can be seen inset in the Participant bar at the bottom of the screen listening]

Anthony Wright: Thanks very much Audrey. We have a lot of questions coming in on compliance as well so, but I think they might be a great segway for me to hand over to Alberto from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in Victoria to talk about a little bit of their work looking at the issue of compliance. Alberto would you like to take over?

Alberto Garza Barragan: Thank you Anthony. I’m going to share our presentation. 

[Image changes to show Alberto talking on the main screen and Anthony can be seen listening inset in the Participant bar at the bottom]

Just bear with me for a sec. Can you see that? Does that work alright?

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a photo of a partially finished building and text appears: Insights from Victoria’s Energy Efficiency Audit Program]

Anthony Wright: Thanks Alberto. Go for it.

Alberto Garza Barragan: Yep, perfect. Katrina, are you there?

Katrina Woolfe: Yep, I am. Hi. Alberto and I are going to tag team on this presentation. So, I’m going to present first. So, I’m Katrina Woolfe. I’m the Manager of Residential Energy Efficiency at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and yes hello from Ballarat in Western Victoria. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a photo of a roof frame and text heading and text appears: Overview of this presentation, Project summary, Audit process overview, Insights to date, Next steps]

So today Alberto and I will be providing an overview of the Energy Efficiency Audit Project that we’ve been running with the help of the Victorian Building Authority who are the building regulators in Victoria.

So, on this slide I’ll just provide a bit of an overview. So, we’ll give you a bit of a view of the project, the audit methodology, and we’ll also share some of the project insights to date keeping in mind that the project’s not yet finished. So, this is a bit of a sneak peek of just some of the high level sort of things that we’ve been seeing. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a photo of a tradesman working on the frame of a building and summary points for the project appear on the left below a text heading: Project summary]

So, the project centres on audits of 2,500 homes under construction in Victoria. So, it’s a pretty big sample. We think it’s the, you know, the biggest in Australia at this time when it comes to energy efficiency in homes. And the purpose of the research is to help us better understand how residential buildings comply with the energy efficiency requirements of the National Construction Code. 

The project started back in March 2018 and we did a pilot sample of 200 audits to test the approach. These audits are now in the final stage and are expected to be completed at the end of next month and then following the completion of the audit, there’ll be,  we’ll start working on a report of the findings. The release date of the report is not yet set but we would expect it to be available a few months after the audits are completed to allow us time to analyse the data and there’ll be lots of data. 

[Image continues to show the same slide on the main screen]

However wait, rather than wait for the data, the insights from the audit is already informing the development of industry skills and training for builders, surveyors, and insulation installers and Alberto will give you a bit of an overview of that as well.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a photo of tradesmen on a building site and text appears: Audit process overview, VBA auditors review and inspect against the approved building permit and applicable NCC, Audits occur without prior notice to builders or building surveyor, and auditors compare as-built outcomes to the approved permit, Inspections occur at the final stages of construction in order to check the majority of energy efficiency features, VBA auditors are using thermal cameras to support inspections]

Next slide, yep, no you’re right. So, the audits are being delivered by the Victorian Building Authority who are experienced in conducting onsite inspections and have the power to enter building sites. All of the audits are conducted by the VBA’s technical staff who have the appropriate training in energy efficient standards of the National Construction Code. The inspections are also assisted by the use of high quality thermal cameras and window checking kits to determine whether the window’s double glazed and that sort of thing. 

Now I mentioned that the project started with a pilot testing approach. This identified the best time to audit the majority of energy efficiency features on site. So, consequently the onsite inspections are occurring at the final stages of the construction in order to see as many of the features as possible. Although while this means that it may not be always possible to see the installed features in all the homes, such as wall insulation for example, the inspectors are using the thermal cameras to collect additional data and they’ve developed a few sort of methods that they can use to just check things such as wall insulation to see if it’s there and what sort.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a symbol of the Nationwide House logo, a laptop computer and a tradesman and text heading and text appears: Audit process overview, Desktop review 1 – Identify energy efficiency requirements from NatHERS certificate or energy report, Desktop review 2 – Identify energy efficiency requirements from approved construction documentation, Inspection – Assess whether requirements identified in Desktop review have been installed on-site and installed correctly]

So, next slide please Alberto. So, the audits are being undertaken in three stages and involve data collection from a Desktop Review of the NatHERS Energy Report. This is to capture the data that makes up the rating. So, they look at the report, gather all the relevant data and record that. Next there’s a Desktop Review of the approved construction documentation, such as looking at the approved plan and this is used to record the energy efficiency requirements that appear on the plan.

And finally, they go out on site to compare the onsite features to the requirements identified in the Desktop Review and check that the features are installed according to the requirements of the National Construction Code. So, you can see that there’s a bit of a sequence there in gathering that data and being able to check one set of data to the next to the next. The inspectors when they’re going on site they’re using iPads to record data on site and uploading this to the database.

[Image continues to show the same slide on the screen] 

Now while these are shown in order the sequence doesn’t always occur this way. In some cases the inspectors may do the site visits first, record what they find, and then do the Desktop Audits and compare the data between the stages. And so, you know, that might be because maybe at the time they’re out on site, they don’t have the plans and they’ve been, obtained the plans a little bit later. So, can you go to the next slide please Alberto?

[Image changes to show a diagram showing the sequence of the audit process showing symbols of a pinpoint, a council building, the Nationwide House logo, a tablet, an inspector, and a checklist and text: Site selection, Engagement with Councils, Desktop review 1, Desktop review 2, Inspection, Post assessment actions]

So, this provides a greater breakdown of the audit process. So, firstly the sites are selected to make sure that there’s a representative sample of buildings. This includes using the VBA’s permit levy database to select sites that are representative and they’re looking at the geographic spread by the volume of building permits to make sure that, that’s representative, so metro, regional, different regions, that sort of thing, even within metropolitan areas to make sure that there’s a good, even spread. 

They’re also looking at building classification, so detached homes, townhouses and apartments to make sure that is also representative of the building permits data. They’re also selecting sites for the type of building practitioner. So, small builders, medium, volume builders to make sure that’s also representative. The VBA also uses a tool such as Nearmap to identify which sites are at the ideal points for a site visit. 

[Image continues to show the same slide on the screen]

They’re also working with council to obtain the relevant documentation and the next three steps I’ve covered but it’s worth noting that the site inspection has presented a really great opportunity for the inspectors to provide any on-the-spot feedback to the site supervisors. So, they’ve had some really good feedback about that process because you know whilst they’re there in the moment, you know, good to be able to provide that feedback back to the site supervisors. 

On the final step, so when they’re back in the office the inspectors do a data check, follow up on any issues, and depending on the issues it could involve writing to the relevant building practitioners, any significant risks are monitored through to resolution. And that’s the end of my bit and now Alberto will take you through the insights on the audit.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a donut diagram showing the completion and proposed completion of audits below the text heading: Audits to May 2020, 2500 audits will be completed by June 2020, 1,968 audits were completed by December 2019, 394 have been completed during 2020, 138 are yet to be completed]

Alberto Garza Barragan: Thanks Katrina. So, yeah like Katrina mentioned before the target is 2,500 audits by June 2020. By December 2019 1,968 audits had been completed. This included 204 audits, 100 audits that were completed between March 2018 and July 2018. During 2020 a further 394 audits had been completed and there’s 138 audits yet to be completed. There was a small delay due to COVID-19 restrictions for the programme’s interactivities target by the end of June.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a donut diagram showing the location of audits and text heading and text appears: Location of audits, Site selection occurs using VBA permit levy data based on, geographical location, NCC building classification, building volume of works, Proportionate to statistical data]

And again, like Katrina mentioned before site selection occurs using VBA permit levy data. So, audits are effectively occurring when building permits are being issued and there are considerations in terms of geographical location, NCC building class, and the building volume of works. And the graph on the left shows the breakdown of regional versus metro audits and compares the target proportion in the outer donut. So, you can see there, regional versus metropolitan audits and the inner donut shows our actual sample. So, you can pretty much see that we’re on track. This is taking into account that donuts are not yet finalised but overall the volume is on track.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a donut diagram showing the breakdown of inspections of different building classes, apartments, detached houses and townhouses and text appears: NCC building class breakdown]

This is the building class breakdown. Again, the outer donut shows the breakdown coagulate for, when all the sample’s finalised and our actual breakdown so far. And again it shows that the programme is on track to make this target in terms of, of building classification. But there needs to be a bit more of inspections on detached houses just to keep on track.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a donut diagram showing percentages of elemental provisions, performance solution and accredited software and text appears: Method of compliance, The majority of homes reviewed utilised NatHERS accredited software to demonstrate compliance, The overwhelming majority (98%) of certificates assessed were issued by accredited thermal performance assessors]

In terms of method of compliance, the majority of homes reviewed utilised the NatHERS accredited software to demonstrate compliance. So, 97% of the homes where computation has been reviewed, and the overwhelming majority of certificates assessed were issued by accredited thermal performance assessors, there’s 98% of all the NatHERS reports that were, are reviewed, 3% of the computation reviewed used either the elemental provisions and Deemed to Satisfy or a Performance Solution.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing text heading and text: Insights to date, Issues identified are categorised as, Workmanship issues, Documentation issues, On-site product substitution, Design changes during construction, The indications are that the large majority of homes have either no issues, or have issues that could be considered minor (i.e. have a small impact on energy use), Interestingly, a small number of homes have installed higher performing products than specified, such as insulation with higher R-values and double glazed windows]

Some of the insights to date, the issues that have been identified have been categorised into four categories. So, the first place were workmanship issues, and that’s when a product has not been installed as per the required manufacturing requirements or as per the Australian standards. And documentation issues, and that’s when there is, the requirements for the NatHERS or the energy report has not been captured on their da… their drawings or the specifications. And on-site product substitution, that’s when a required anti-efficiency feature has been captured on the drawings, or specifications, but then they have been switched on-site. And on-site changes during construction, that’s when the recent change of design during construction such as a window is added, or a window size is, is changed on-site.

Now, in terms of the issues, there are indications that the large majority of homes have either no issues or have issues that could be considered minor or that is that have a small impact on energy use. We have found a small number of homes that have installed higher performing products than specified, such as insulation with higher values or double glazed windows. Now, the VBA are still making, take note of these homes and informing the surveyors of these issues because it’s still a deviation from the building permit but we are separating these issues because we have recognised that this could have a potential improvement on the energy performance of the house. 

[Image continues to show the same slide]

Now in the next few slides I’ll show you more of the issues that we have identified and in the different categories where they have been categorised, noting that these are not necessarily widespread amongst the audits, audits.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing four photographs showing a view looking up to the ceiling and then a view of the ceiling with the thermal camera showing missing insulation and text: Workmanship issues]

So, workmanship issues, so this is an example of the use of thermal cameras and you can see insulation missing around lighting fixtures, around downlights and ceiling insulation.

[Image changes to show three photographs of poorly installed insulation in buildings and text appears: Workmanship issues]

More workmanship issues. This is a insulation but it’s not fitted up against flooring, not secured in place, or insulation poorly feeded and compressed within floor joists in the second picture, or in the third picture you can see excessive insulation around services. 

[Image changes to show a new slide showing a photograph of poorly installed floor insulation, different roof colour tiles between the front and the side of a house, and downlights in a roof and text: Documentation]

For documentation issues, in the first [59.34] you can see different types and thicknesses of bulk insulation installed in the flooring in different, in the same area and it’s also a workmanship issue. In the second picture you can see the roof colour change from the specified documentation and in the third picture you can see an image of ceiling penetration, so an increased number of downlights from what was specified in the NatHERS modelling and the documentation.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing three photographs, wall wrap on an outer wall on a building, a window on a building, and light fittings and downlights in a ceiling and text: On-site product substitution]

On-site product substitution, so in the first picture you can see an image of wall wrap, different types of wall wrapping used in the same area for what wasn’t specified in the drawings. In the second picture you can see a single glazing when there are the NatHERS report and the drawings have specified double glazing. And in the third picture you can see light fittings being substituted by higher wattage products. There was meant to be five downlights in that spot and we can see three that are not downlights.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing three photographs, the first two showing windows on the side of a door, and the third showing shading around a window and text appears: Design changes during construction]

And design change during construction, some of the more common deviations that the VBA has identified is sidelight windows added and not included in the NatHERS model or in the drawings. So, those are the windows included next to those doors in Image 1 and 2. In the third image you can see shading devices that had not been included in the NatHERS model or in the documentation. 

[Image changes to show an aerial photo looking down on a suburb of houses and text appears: Next steps, So, the next steps, the remaining 138 audits are scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2020. A report with key findings will be released following the completion of all audits and analysis of data, The project is also supporting three industry skills and training projects, Master Builders Association of Victoria, ICANZ, Australian Institute of Building Surveyors]

So, the next steps, the remaining 138 audits are scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2020. A report with key findings will be released following the completion of audits and analysis of all data.
And like Katrina mentioned before as well, the project is also supporting three industry skills and training projects. One of these is Master Builders Association of Victoria. So, they have delivered to webinars for builders and tradespeople, ICANZ, who is developing a online resource for insulation installers and the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors who is developing as well a webinar that will be available later this year.

[Image changes to show a new slide showing text heading and text: Project contact, Katrina Woolfe, Manager Residential Energy Efficiency, Energy Demand and Efficiency Policy, Energy Demand, Programs and Safety, Energy, katrina.woolfe@delwp.vic.gov.au, Alberto Garza Barragan, Senior Policy Officer, Energy Demand and Efficiency Policy, Energy Demand, Programs and Safety, Energy, alberto.garzabarragan@delwp.vic.gov.au]

So, if anyone has any questions we’re happy to answer.

Anthony Wright: Thanks very much Katrina and Alberto. Alberto could I just ask you to stop sharing your screen and we’ll flick over to some questions now from the audience.

[Image changes to show Anthony talking to the camera and Alberto and Katrina can be seen listening in the Participant bar at the bottom]

We’ve had a lot of questions come in so I’ve been frantically scribbling trying to collate them into broad categories so forgive me if your specific question doesn’t get asked. I’m trying to ask the speakers some general questions that will hopefully cover a lot of the specific questions that have come in. 

So, the first question is a two part question for Audrey. Audrey, “When will Option 1 or 2 from the Scoping Paper be decided? And what pathways will be available to demonstrate compliance?”. Among the pathways that people have asked specific questions about are the GVCA’s new standard, the passive house standard, Basix and other standards along the lines of those ones?

[Image changes to show Audrey talking into her headset and Anthony, Katrina and Alberto can be seen listening in the Participant bar at the bottom of the screen]

Audrey Chen: Yes, so I’m not quite sure that technically I can go back to my slide so if you could go back to the slides in terms of Energy Efficiency Project timelines you’ll notice that in October 2021 the Board approved of provisions. So, that’s the time that the decision in terms of Option 1, Option 2. So, that might answer the first question. 

Secondly, in terms of the options, compliance options to meet the requirements, so we, with the consultant and technical working group committees, that’s who we’re working on the DTS elemental. So, that’s one option to achieve. So, that’s for both [1.03.44] share and a whole-of-house. And secondly, that as Jodie mentioned, that the NatHERS compliance pathway, that including that increase at, the stringency to 7-star and also the whole-of-house, but that’s subject to the regulatory, the Regulation Impact Statement as well as the, for the approvals through the development process.
 
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Thirdly, as I demonstrate in my slides there’s a performance solution. So, I didn’t actually get into the detail so you can see there’s verification methods. So, and the verification method currently we have, in current 2019, NCC we have the reference building verification method as well as the building, ceiling verification method as the VMs. And for the NCC 2022 that’s, we all can see the update that to, to achieve the scope as I described that, so with the options and the 7-star and the whole-of-house. So, that’s the third compliance pathway.

So, sorry, the, I think the second beta is talking specifically about passive house and a green, GBCAs that, the future home standard. So, as I understand that, GBCA’s future home standard has got a slightly different objectives. That is to achieve zero energy. So, it does include in things like plug in loads which we excluded. The reason there’s been that plug in load that once the people actual move in it’s, it’s acknowledging it’s a part of the residential energy efficiency. 

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But in terms of the building code, that people can easily change that after they move in. So, we don’t include that. And also, I’m aware of that, the GBCA’s, that the standard, it’s got more than just energy efficiency. So, there’s a house and a [1.05.09] in the, in the standard. As I understand it’s still under development and so, so whether that’s actually, it’s going to prove that in terms of the performance solution, I think it’s subject to that, as I mentioned in my presentation, is whether that actually can meet the performance requirements. 

Just for your information I didn’t actually touch on in my presentation, we also have the project, Quantify Performance Requirement for Residential Energy Efficiency. So, so I think that’s that as a result of that, so for both the GBC standard as well as I think Anthony you mentioned about the passive house standard and others. I think the key question is that once that we have the, the performance requirements have actually been defined and then next step is to work out that, those measures whether that actually can comply, can meet the compliance of the performance requirement. 

And as mentioned in my presentation there’s all different like performance solutions people can use so it doesn’t restrict to particular method as long as it, it actually can, can meet the performance requirements. So, does that cover the question? 

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Anthony Wright: I hope so Audrey. I can’t see my audience so I’ll, thank you for your answer. There is another question for you as well which relates to the, it’s, I’m combining a couple of questions here and they relate to the implementation of NCC 2022 and who’s responsible for approvals, specifically because COAG sign off on the implementation of the new version of the NCC. And will all of those states come on board simultaneously? I think people have some concerns when seeing Western Australia defer NCC 2019 now. So, the question is about “What is the approvals process for putting NCC 2022 in place and what is your expectation around state adoption?”.

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Audrey Chen: So, firstly I refer back to the development process, the timelines. So, as you can see that we talk about the board approval. So, the board members are representatives from the Commonwealth and the states and territory building administrations as well as the industry representatives. So, they sign on the, on the NCC changes. But as I mentioned in my presentation, the states and territory adopt that in their building regulations. 
So, it’s, so in terms of the, the, the final implementation, so particularly in terms of one that actually start from the code point of view that we’re generally speaking about 1st May implementation date after that the, the, the NCC’s been approved and released. But for example NCC 2019 we have our transitional period which, which are for a whole year but states and territory might consider that vary out from that, so as you described WA is one of the case. 

So, back to the point that the, the NCC, the legal status is given by the states and territories regulation but as, as the structure, how to set up and the IGA is that we, we in terms of approval and endorsement of NCC contents that we have, that the board should make a decision and on specific issues that might actually also need endorsement from the BMF depends, subject to what’s actually the matter related.

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Anthony Wright: Thanks very much Audrey. Jodie I have two questions for you. The first one relates to the implementation of whole-of-house and the expansion of NatHERS for new homes to whole-of-house. Some of the questions are around is that the right focus as opposed to solving other problems within NatHERS, particularly thermal bridging, air tightness, and some of the internal assumptions around the NatHERS models that we’ve raised. Can you speak to that for a moment?

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Jodie Pipkorn: Yep, so I think in terms of priorities, just to be clear, I suppose the way it’s separated in the teams at the moment is both of those processes are happening in parallel. So, the whole-of-home is getting progressed in one team and all of those other thermal, anything related to thermal, the air tightness and thermal bridging is all being covered by another team. So, we’re making sure that one doesn’t rely on the other. They’re actually happening in parallel. And so, a lot of that’s happening at the same time in a nutshell. 

So, and in terms of the priorities a lot of those, I think we do see that both are important because again you can do a certain amount on the thermal shell but at the end of the day with all of these energy using appliances, and that’s what the trajectory found was that you can push the thermal so far and then there are other opportunities with the appliances that are worth taking into account, and particularly encouraging at the point when a house it being built, is to encourage those high performance appliances. 

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So, that’s where I’d say, I suppose in a nutshell, we’re doing both in parallel, but our highest priority is on making sure that all of those thermal components get considered. So, that’s where there’s a team that’s specifically looking at that and working through those issues and where my team that’s looking at the whole-of-home is making sure that those, number one is the thermal, number two is the whole-of-home but they are happening in parallel.

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Anthony Wright: Thank you. The next one is a question lots of people want to know about as well. Do you have a date for when we will have mandatory disclosure and who will perform the assessments?

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Jodie Pipkorn: No, and don’t know.

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Anthony Wright: That was much quicker than I’d anticipated.

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Jodie Pipkorn: To provide a bit of context in the trajectory what was agreed is that we are looking by the middle of next year, through the COAG process is to look at a national framework to harmonise, you know, disclosure schemes, whether it’s voluntary or mandatory schemes for, at the point of sale and lease and it’s really working through that together. At the moment as everyone’s probably aware ACT already has a scheme. So, again it’s not like no one has it. So, it’s not like we’re starting from ground zero. 

So, what we’re looking at doing is harmonising through that COAG process but it’s really up to jurisdictions as to when it’s appropriate in their jurisdiction and like we’ve said is that having assessments that can be used for that purpose and who will do those assessments is what we’re looking at from that existing buildings perspective at the moment. So, there’s still a lot of work to go through for that existing buildings work. 

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So, in terms of the timing we’ll have a framework for disclosure middle of next year but it’s not to say that that’s when it will be implemented. All jurisdictions can then consider implementing that and in parallel the timing is to have some existing home rating tools and processes in place by the middle of next year such that the two can happen in parallel. But we might start with voluntary and then jurisdictions can choose whether to make it mandatory in the future, similar to what’s happened in the commercial space. A lot of the NABERS ratings happen voluntarily initially and then they get picked up as mandatory as they’re more developed and involved.

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Anthony Wright: Thanks very much Jodie. Now, I don’t know whether Alberto or Katrina will want to field the questions for Victoria but I just want to start by saying how many of our speakers have thanked Victoria for doing such a great job doing these audits and talk about how necessary and important that work is. So, just a comment that has come in from a number of different people.

Summarising some of the questions about that, essentially there’s a lot of curiosity out there about when the final report will be available and whether you will make it public and on what the next steps, sorry secondarily on whether there was a split between houses and apartments, or was it all houses, and lastly what are the next steps, what will, what will be the follow-up from the audit report when it’s finally finished and released?

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Katrina Woolfe: Alberto do you want me to answer that and you can add? A few questions there. So, the report, we’re thinking it’ll be more towards the, the, sort of the second half of the next half of the year. So, because there’s a lot of data that’s coming in that we will need to analyse and then obviously the report will need to be written as well. And, you know, it will need to go through the, you know, appropriate approval process. So, it’s not anytime soon but that’s not to say it’s, it won’t be Christmas we think. So, you know potentially it could be September but, you know, that’s, that’s, you know, a bit of an unknown at this stage. But we are aware lots of people are very interested in the findings so yes we note that and so Anthony your other question was about?
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Anthony Wright: Was there a split between apartments and houses?

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Katrina Woolfe: Sorry?

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Anthony Wright: Did you audit apartments as well as houses or was it just houses?

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Katrina Woolfe: Oh yes, sorry apartments and houses. Yes definitely. 

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So, you know we did look at taking the, sort of, a representative sample of Class 2 buildings as well as Class 1A and AIIs to make sure that that sort of matched the data that, the permit data. So yes, so apartments were definitely inspected. Alberto do you want to comment on some of the apartment inspections because there’s a slightly different approach taken?

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Alberto Garza Barragan: Like Katrina said, yeah they were part of the inspections and like Katrina said before as well we simulate some data. We haven’t seen anything to date that is materially different between building classes in terms of the findings but yeah, they are definitely included in there, in the sample.

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Anthony Wright: Thank you and the third part of that question was what will the next steps be when the audit report is all published and available for everyone? Will the Victorian government go on to do anything further? Katrina?

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Alberto Garza Barragan: I don’t know if Katrina is still there. I’m happy to respond. Well, put it this way it’s a research project and so far we are happy to release a report and the research will be available for others to take the project further. So, the recent [1.17.29] any points of work beyond what, what the research that we’re focussed on getting that done and this work out, and getting the report out at this stage.

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Anthony Wright: Thank you. I might open up to one last question for Jodie before we close everything out. And this is a good one Jodie. You might not be able to say anything on this at all but there’s been some talk about the COVID recovery framework and climate change, green recovery and all of those kind of things. Can you give us any insights into government thinking on whether green retrofits and so on form any part of a COVID recovery package?
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Jodie Pipkorn: In short, no idea. A lot of those COVID recovery packages are being done elsewhere. So, I have no insights and no cover, nothing to respond to and I think the only thing I can say I suppose is, that because it’s in the media, is I think between jurisdictions and Commonwealth there are different recoveries that are getting looked at those different levels. So, it’s not just a Commonwealth thing, it’s actually jurisdictions as well but I have no insights that I can offer for this one. Sorry.

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Anthony Wright: No problems. Thank  you very much Jodie. We’ve got only a few minutes to spare on this webinar so I might close out now by thanking all of our speakers and thanking all of our attendees too, particularly for putting up with our grappling with various slightly inadequate bits of technology and so on. I hope it’s been OK at  your end. I would encourage you before you leave to just drop your thoughts on the delivery of the webinar, what you’d like to see, what we could do better, what we did well this time into the Comments or Chat and we’ll review all of that after the session and try and improve on that if we deliver another one a bit later on. 

We will also be able to, we will record all of the questions that were raised and I’ll see if we can’t provide some way of publishing some responses to the questions that we might not have got around to in this session so that you can have your specific answers to your questions. We have well over 100 questions and nowhere near enough time to do all of them justice. So, I apologise for that. 

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So, I will leave this session open for a couple of minutes for everybody to put all of their questions and feedback and so on into the Questions and Chat section. But this is really the close of the webinar. Thank you very, very much for attending and thank you to all of our speakers. Hopefully we’ll be able to do this again in another couple of months’ time and perhaps even include some CPD features and some polling and other fancy features of the technology. Thanks once again and looking forward to meeting you all at the next webinar.