ABCB Releases Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Resources for NCC 2022 and 2025
The Australian Building Codes Board has published an extensive range of resources to help building practitioners understand and implement energy efficiency requirements across the National Construction Code. The resources span residential and commercial buildings, with new tools and guidance supporting the transition to improved energy standards.
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has made energy efficiency a core focus of its work program, with resources now available to support practitioners in implementing the National Construction Code's energy efficiency provisions.
Energy efficiency forms part of Australian, state and territory governments' strategies to improve energy productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To assist the building industry, the ABCB has produced an extensive range of resources including calculators, case studies, reports and handbooks.
Key Resources Available
The ABCB's energy efficiency toolkit includes specialised calculators for lighting, glazing, fan systems and pump systems across different NCC editions. Recent additions include the NCC Whole-of-Home Calculator (beta release) published in December 2022, which helps assess residential energy performance.
Practitioners can also access detailed guidance through:
- Energy Efficiency handbooks for NCC 2019 Volume One and Two
- Technical reports on thermal bridging mitigation and DTS elemental provisions
- Case studies demonstrating compliance with combined design and performance solutions
- FAQ documents addressing residential energy efficiency questions
- Performance scenarios covering adaptive thermal comfort and verification methods
Support for NCC 2022 and 2025
The ABCB has published the NCC 2025 energy efficiency project rationale and scope document, signalling continued development of energy efficiency standards. Resources also include advisory notes on specific technical requirements such as energy efficiency for fans in unitary air conditioning equipment.
The available reports and tools have been developed through consultation and analysis to support the writing of the NCC and its supporting material. The ABCB notes that third-party consultant reports' findings are not necessarily reflected in the NCC's final provisions.
Source: ABCB Energy Efficiency