The NABERS rating is a rigorous process of data collection and analysis and not all buildings may comply with NABERS Rating Rules. The results are very sensitive to small changes to the inputs. It can result in:
1. a Base Building energy rating lower than expected or required
2. a Whole Building rating only or
3. an “un-ratable” building
These possible outcomes are usually not evident until substantially into the rating process, as the rating depends on many factors such as appropriate allocation of services, metering and wiring, NLA measurements, complete bill datasets and written substantiation capable of being reverse-engineered in any audit process.
The rating process will take longer than most Building Owners expect and sourcing the required data can often prove very difficult and time consuming; some data may be impossible to obtain.
Even when a rating has been achieved it is open to audit by DECCW (Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water). These audits are highly rigorous, may happen at any stage of the process and may require assessor assumptions and procedures to be reviewed and the rating adjusted if necessary.
From the perspective of the building owners who fall under the scheme, they are potentially facing considerable delays in being able to lease or sell commercial space which can have serious commercial impacts; they can face costly upgrades to metering; they will need to develop administrative systems for retention of the data required so the annual renewal of the energy rating is simplified and failure to comply risk serious fines for the company and/or its officers.
Winter 2010
