Thermal Performance Assessments (Energy Ratings)
Energy Efficient Homes
An energy efficient home leads to many benefits including low energy bills, reduced greenhouse gases, comfortable living, better health and reduced noise levels. In Australia, a national scheme, NatHERS is in place to provide minimum energy-efficiency standards and assessment for homes.
Tochi is accredited to carry out Thermal Performance Assessments (TPAs) in Victoria under the NatHERS star rating scheme.
We carry out assessments using sophisticated software to model how well a house can naturally keep warm in winter and cool in summer based on the local climate conditions. The more stars, the more energy efficient the home will be for heating and cooling.
The Assessment Process
We begin by modelling the design of your home according to the drawings and specifications you provide. Regardless of the rating that comes out, we then model different options for window sizes, materials, insulation levels, shading and construction methods and show the corresponding impact on thermal performance. The results are presented as clear, tailored advice, underpinned by real world experience in the local construction industry.
While a 6 star rating (out of 10 stars) will comply with the minimum requirements, there are indications that the minimum will move up to 7 stars in the near future. Tochi believes there is a payoff in going even further than this, and will strive to help any client on the path to 8 stars or better. Read more about energy ratings here.
Our process includes up to 3 iterations for an assessment. For example a rating with options can be done at an early stage in the design process, then revised at a later stage in the design process (again with options presented) and then revised once again just before generating a certificate for a building permit.
You will be given a room-by-room analysis of expected heating and cooling loads and a certificate and stamped plans for building approval.
Our fee is the same whether for a new house up to 2 storeys or for an alteration/addition project - $450+GST.
We require measured architectural drawings to perform the assessment. This service does not include any visits to the project site - see below for other services we provide where we can visit your home to make an assessment.
Energy Ratings for Complex Designs
Having an architectural background enables us to handle complex designs with a high level of accuracy. We are open to talking through unusual aspects of a particular job and we don’t charge any extra to do an energy rating on a complex project.
Energy Ratings for Class 2 buildings (apartments)
We provide the same type of service and more for class 2 buildings. There is no flat fee for this type of development, please get in contact with us to have a chat about your project.
Looking for more than an energy rating?
Tochi provides bespoke services at an hourly rate for anyone who wants to go one step further in exploring and optimising thermal performance.
We also provide full architecture services, where we integrate thermal performance modelling into every project. Read more here.
Assessing and advising on your existing house
Perhaps you simply want to improve the comfort and energy efficiency of your existing house. Tochi can visit your home and take measurements and record all details relevant to thermal performance. We will then go back and model the performance of the house as is, and make recommendations for improvements that are the most practical and best value for money. You will be given all the information you need to make decisions about optimising the thermal performance of your home.
This service is available to Melbourne residents only. Please get in contact with us for a quote.