NABERSNZ online calculator launched

The New Zealand Green Building Council and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority have launched a new online tool as part of the NABERSNZ program, a voluntary rating system that measures the energy performance of New Zealand’s office buildings.

NABERSNZ Project Manager Mike Frew stated, “The new NABERSNZ calculator will allow building owners and tenants to get a clearer picture of what they need to do to get a desired star rating under the NABERSNZ program.

“Working with an accredited assessor or practitioner, they will be able to see the energy reduction required in their particular building to get the certified rating they want.”

Building owners and tenants can already get a certified rating as part of the NABERSNZ program, which shows, on a scale of 1 to 6, the energy performance of their building or tenancy. Frew explained that the calculator “makes it possible to see what’s required to take the next step - the energy reduction required for a building or tenancy to achieve the next star rating, or any star rating”.

The calculator is also likely to be used by architects, engineers and building scientists at the design stage, to more accurately design a building that will meet a client’s desired star rating.

The calculator will initially be available only to assessors and practitioners, ie, people who have received NABERSNZ training. For details of training courses, visit http://www.nabersnz.govt.nz/become-an-assessor.