Practical Tips To Improve Your NABERS Rating

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Do you want to increase the NABERS rating of your building? But even after trying several times, you’re unable to achieve the desired NABERS rating? We’re here to help you!

A higher NABERS water rating or energy star rating can help you gain significant environmental benefits, cost savings, and better property marketability. 

Here are ways in which you can enhance your NABERS ratings.


How do you increase your building’s NABERS Rating?

Do an Energy Audit

Before making any changes, conduct a comprehensive energy audit to identify where your building loses energy. 

This should include: 
  • Reviewing HVAC systems 
  • Checking the lighting systems 
  • Understanding the mechanical condition of equipment consuming energy in large quantities. 
The first step of NABERS rating improvement involves understanding the energy profile of your building.

Upgrade Lighting Systems

Lighting typically consumes much of the total electricity within a building. So replacing them with LED lights can help reduce power consumption in buildings considerably. 

Moreover, you may wish to install daylight sensors or motion sensors so that lights only go on when necessary.

Optimise HVAC Systems

HVAC systems are large consumers of energy in any building. Improved efficiency through regular maintenance and upgrading is possible with them as well as this:

  • Preventive Maintenance: Have HVAC systems cleaned and serviced regularly.
  • Upgrade Equipment: Replace obsolete HVAC systems with new efficient models that save more power.
  • Insulation: Improve insulation to lessen the load on HVAC units.
These improvements can significantly improve your NABERS energy rating.

Improve Building Insulation

Proper insulation helps keep inside temperatures steady and reduces reliance on HVAC systems.

External walls, roofs and floors need insulation from winter heat loss and summer heat gains. Double glazed windows improve insulation while saving energy consumption greatly.

Implement Water-Saving Measures For Improving NABERS Water Rating

The determination of NABERS scores is highly influenced by water consumption. 

One of the steps towards increasing your NABERS water rating and reducing operational costs is to change taps, shower heads, and toilets to low-flow fixtures. Here are a few other things you can do in order to increase water efficiency:

  • Smart irrigation systems should be utilised. These systems adjust the watering schedule according to weather conditions.
  • Check plumbing systems regularly for leaks.

Utilise Renewable Energy Sources

Leveraging renewable energy sources like solar panels can have a considerable impact on the NABERS rating. Solar energy helps offset a portion of electrical consumption within buildings.

Optimise Waste Management

Your NABERS rating can go up based on the efficacy of waste disposal practices. These include:
  • Implementing full recycling programs
  • composting for organic waste only
  • waste reduction measures
Educate tenants about proper waste separation techniques and means of disposing them properly.

Engage Tenants and Occupants

Getting tenants involved with strategies for saving energy and water can lead to considerable improvement in NABERS water rating and energy ratings.

This involves teaching them about energy-efficient habits, such as turning off lights when they are not needed or using natural ventilation where possible.

Monitor and Manage Energy Use

Installing an energy management system, helps you track your building’s energy consumption in real time. 

With these systems, you will be able to understand how much electricity is being used and at what times during the day. 

This allows you to spot any inefficiencies and improve your building ratings during NABERS certification.

Enhance Indoor Environment Quality

The quality of the indoor atmosphere has a significant influence on the NABERS rating. Increased IEQ can enhance the comfort and productivity level of occupants. The following are some measures that should be considered:
  • Make sure to provide enough fresh air into the house while taking out indoor pollutants.
  • Put up indoor air quality monitors and implement corrective actions when required to increase NABERS rating.
  • Reduce dependence on artificial lighting by maximising natural light use and improving the physical health of users.

Conclusion

Enhancing your NABERS rating is complex. It requires strategic thinking and long-term commitment throughout. 

By conducting energy audits, retrofitting systems, introducing water-saving schemes, venturing into renewables, and involving building occupants, you can substantially bolster your building’s environmental performance. 

Hire a building consultant and get started with your NABERS certification process today.

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