Auckland service centre receives 3.5 star NABERSNZ rating

Auckland Council’s Graham Street Service Centre has been awarded 3.5 stars for energy use under NABERSNZ.

The office building energy measurement and rating scheme was launched in New Zealand in June, modelled on Australia’s original version of the system. The scheme rates buildings from zero to six stars, zero being very poor, three being average and six being aspirational. 

A 3.5 star Certified Rating thus reflects above-average energy performance for New Zealand office buildings. This is the second Certified Rating released under the scheme so far and the first for a whole building (other ratings cover tenancy and base buildings).

Auckland Council Chief Executive Doug McKay says the Council aims to “set the standard for other building owners in the CBD” and that “getting the rating is just the start - we’ll be looking at what we can do to boost energy efficiency.”

The Council has already demonstrated its commitment to NABERSNZ by having an in-house staff member, Adam Benli, trained as a NABERSNZ assessor. In order to obtain a Certified Rating, such assessors must examine 12 months of a building’s energy-use data, taking into account equipment used, staff numbers and occupancy hours.

McKay says Auckland Council intends to get NABERSNZ ratings for its other commercial properties, including its new headquarters at ASB Tower, which is currently being retrofitted.

“Our aim of making Auckland the world’s most liveable city has to include measures to improve the sustainability and performance of buildings we work and do business in,” he explained.

Energy Efficiency and Conversation Authority chief executive Mike Underhill says NABERSNZ ratings help building owners and tenants easily understand energy-use information, providing a benchmark to compare and improve energy performance.

“Savings of up to 25% are achievable for most commercial office buildings and tenancies. This scheme helps simplify the process - getting and improving a NABERSNZ rating is the best way to make these savings,” he said.

New Zealand Green Building Council chief executive Alex Cutler added that NABERSNZ goes beyond smart design principles for energy-efficient buildings, because “how they’re commissioned, maintained and used is crucial in day-to-day energy performance.”

“NABERSNZ creates a market value for good energy management - reducing costs for tenants and improving capital value for building owners,” Cutler said.

Source: http://www.eeca.govt.nz/about-eeca/news-and-events/media-releases.