FAQ

WHAT IS A JV3 ENERGY ASSESSMENT REPORT?

JV3 energy assessment is a method to assess the required insulation and glazing parameters and the energy efficiency of the building services for a commercial building and demonstrate its energy compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).

JV3 assessment requires detailed computer modelling of the building fabric and services. A building design passes the JV3 energy test if the annual greenhouse gas emission from the proposed building is less than that of the NCC reference building with minimum Deemed to Satisfy (DTS) insulation and services efficiency. JV3 assessment is a holistic energy modelling approach and allows maximum flexibility and cost saving in energy construction costs.

The unique aspect of the JV3 method is that it allows energy offset between building fabric, building services and onsite renewable electricity and hot water generation. This means one can install low-cost glazing and compensate for it by installing a few solar PV on the roof or using a higher efficiency chiller for the cooling system.

A JV3 report may take up to five times longer than a Section J DTS report and apparently, it costs more in consultant fees. However, JV3 modelling approach can save the developers far more in energy construction costs and expedite the construction process.

At Energy Compliance Consultants we deliver a comprehensive JV3 report and we guarantee that our clients will save more than our professional service fee. Read more.

Why choose the JV3 assessment to comply with the NCC Energy provisions?

Architects and developers have 2 options for energy efficiency compliance of their commercial buildings with the National Construction Code (NCC): Deemed to Satisfy (DTS) provisions or Section J report and JV3 performance assessment.

If any of the following assists you with your building design, then JV3 is the method to choose:

• JV3 provides building design flexibility

One can use any construction material as long as it can be demonstrated by JV3 assessment that the proposed building thermally performs as good as NCC “Reference building”.

NCC “Reference building” is a theoretical building with a geometry identical to the proposed building but a building fabric that is defined by DTS provisions.

Under DTS provisions, NCC Section J does not allow an architect/developer to use a construction material or a building fabric that is thermally less efficient than the DTS requirements.

Under Section JV3, NCC allows using any construction material if it is demonstrated that the overall building has the same or better overall thermal performance than the same building with NCC minimum DTS requirements (i.e. the Reference building). JV3 is the method that justifies and demonstrates that a proposed alternative building solution, thermally performs better than the NCC Reference DTS building fabric and services. This opens up maximum flexibility in design by architects.

2- Construction cost saving by JV3 method

JV3 allows taking energy saving in some parts of the building and services to offset excessive energy demand in other parts. The overall effect is a more efficient building and a lower construction cost.

Example 1, say the developer/architect wants to use single-glazed standard windows instead of double-glazed thermally broken windows everywhere in the building. Under JV3 assessment, we choose low-cost and thermally less efficient materials (such as single-glazed windows) and offset their higher energy demand with low-cost extra insulation (such as ceiling batt insulation).

Example 2, say the building has an architectural feature that exhibits an exposed rammed earth wall with no insulation on the south. The higher energy demand for this part of the building could then be offset by any energy-saving measures such as the use of a more efficient chiller or condensing gas boiler or adding a few solar PV panels to the roof.

Example 3, related to services, say the building design restricts the size of ducts or pipes in building services, or an old chiller is to be maintained, then the electricity demand of services will be higher than standard NCC DTS design. Under JV3, we can specify energy-efficient building fabric, or services such as a more efficient water heater or lighting controls, to offset the higher energy demand in other parts of the services.

3- JV3 Thermal comfort level assessment

JV3 has a mandate to check the thermal comfort level for future occupants inside the building through modelling. This potentially determines the required set points for the future air conditioning (HVAC) system. Thermal comfort assessment assures that thermal comfort is not compromised with the use of less insulation, low thermal performance windows or less efficient services. With the basic Section J DTS pathway, there is no means or requirement to evaluate thermal comfort levels.

4- JV3 and Green Star / NABERS Commitment Agreement

The energy modelling involved in Green Star and NABERS Commitment Agreement is a 99% copy of JV3 modelling approach specified in NCC with slight modification [reference]. Commissioning JV3 modelling for your project allows you to cost-effectively use it in Green Star and NABERS energy ratings if it assists with marketing your commercial building.

If your local council requires your new building development to commit to a certain Green Star rating, or sign a NABERS commitment agreement, then the JV3 energy compliance approach is a no-brainer to satisfy NCC energy efficiency.

5- JV3 and Feasibility assessment of energy source options

JV3 modelling approach requires the highest energy modelling standards that are also used in a proper feasibility assessment. With the high prices of gas and electricity, you can make an informed decision on the energy source options for the building by using a feasibility assessment that takes building energy demand from JV3 modelling.

Feasibility assessment of different energy source options can assist you with identifying value for money from different energy sources available to your building, such as

• Geothermal heating and cooling,
• Solar thermal space, hot water and swimming pool heating
• Heat recovery systems or use of water-to-water heat pumps that move heat from one part/level of a building to another.
• Selection between a heat pump, normal water heater and condensing gas water heater,
• Selection between different chiller or heat pump brands with different efficiency
• Use of large solar PV array and battery to cut all your future energy bills.

Feasibility assessment requires detailed modelling of your building that can be obtained from your JV3 modelling. You can kill two birds with one stone here: achieving energy efficiency compliance with the construction code and finding the best option heating/cooling system for your air conditioning using the same modelling procedure. This will save you in consulting costs, time, future energy bills and future building carbon footprint.

6- Daylight modelling using geometry from JV3 model

Daylight modelling uses the same geometry that is developed in computer modelling for JV3 assessment. Adding a few more lighting parameters to the JV3 model can readily provide the daylight levels for your building to allow you to satisfy the NCC minimum requirements, and council requirements, and score more points in BESS or Green Star ratings.

Note that daylight modelling is not a mandate from NCC. Daylight modelling is a project-based mandate applied by local council authorities in cases where access to sufficient levels of natural light seems restricted by adjacent buildings or other obstacles.

7- CFD analysis using geometry from JV3 model

Similar to the above, some councils require evidence of efficient air movement inside large enclosed carparks or basements. This is best done using a CFD analysis which enables optimising the exhaust air system design and distribution. Having the building geometry from the JV3 model, saves 50% of your consultant’s CFD analysis time and effort.

CFD analysis could also be used to achieve innovation scores in BESS for a passive cooling design or natural ventilation assessment.

8- JV3 and BESS rating (Victoria)

The Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) is an assessment tool created by local governments in Victoria. BESS rating is very generous when it comes to energy demand reduction. This includes heating, cooling and domestic hot water energy demand reduction which all can be demonstrated using JV3 modelling.

For instance, a 20% reduction in energy demand satisfies the minimum pass score for the BESS energy category. If we can demonstrate a 60% energy demand reduction via JV3 modelling (renewable offset included), it doubles the energy score in BESS compliance and assists you to achieve the hard-to-achieve Best Practice in BESS. With a little modification, the same JV3 model could also be used to achieve IEQ daylight access scores in BESS.

What is involved in a JV3 energy assessment?

6. We model your building geometry (using computer software) in three dimensions as per the architectural plans. This includes all adjacent permanent shading elements such as neighbouring buildings, heritage-listed trees, etc.
7. We create the first building model and apply the construction code prescriptive DTS insulation and glazing to the building fabric and we call the model, “NCC Reference Building”
8. We create the second building model and apply the client’s preferred building fabric construction (insulation and glazing) to the model and we call the model, “NCC Proposed Building”. If the client doesn’t have any preferences, we try to apply lower-cost building materials.
9. We calculate hour-by-hour energy demand for both building models and calculate annual greenhouse gas emissions from both buildings.
10. If the Proposed Building generates less greenhouse gas emissions than the Reference Building, then the Proposed Building passes the NCC energy efficiency test and achieves compliance with the NCC Performance Requirements.
11. If not, we apply cost-effective changes to your Building fabric and services to get energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions of the proposed building below that of the Reference Building to get energy compliance.

This will include lots of iterations to fine-tune the most cost-effective solution. This is where our team at Energy Compliance Consultants shine. We guarantee to save you and we promise to deliver minimum of 10 iterations to achieve the most cost-effective solution for you.

8. Once we pass the above test, we also analyse the thermal comfort level (PMV) of the proposed building. This assures that the proposed cost-effective building fabric & services do not compromise the thermal comfort of the occupants.
9. JV3 energy report: we illustrate detailed sections for all walls, roofs and floors. These sections show all the construction layers with their inherent insulation values and the added insulations (which is the outcome of the JV3 modelling).This also includes thermal bridging effects which must be undertaken in a JV3 assessment. Note that, VURB assessments for residential building doesn’t require considering thermal bridging effect.
10. JV3 energy report: we mark-up the location of added glazing, insulation on floor plans and elevation views.

9. Our council-ready report is ready to be used in your building permit application.

At Energy Compliance Consultants we also include all our modelling inputs and schedules to make sure that our report on its own answers all the questions from council authorities, mechanical services consultants working on the project and the building surveyors.

The performance solution or JV3 assessment provides design flexibility and construction cost reduction. For instance, with slightly higher roof insulation, more efficient lighting fixtures, chillers or boilers, we can change thermally broken double-glazed windows to standard aluminium single-glazed windows. Note that, in delivering the above cost saving, JV3 solution doesn’t compromise the building energy performance. On the contrary, to achieve the compliance required by NCC, JV3 solution also reduces the building’s total energy demand and its future running costs, and also maintains the thermal comfort of the occupants. Our report quantifies the amount of net energy demand reduction as a key metric to satisfy NCC Section J requirements.

JV3 is also called the Verification method using a reference building, Verification method, Alternative method and sometimes energy Performance Solution.

What are the differences between JV3 & Section J Deemed to Satisfy pathways?

JV3 is a holistic solution based on computer modelling of the building fabric, services and renewables in a single model. Section J on the other hand is a list of rigid prescriptive minimum insulation values, glazing parameters and efficiency of services with no flexibility in design. In the following we have compared the two compliance pathways in terms of the Pros and Cons of the two methods:

JV3 Pros (Advantages) over Section J DTS

• JV3 assessment allows reducing the cost of energy construction (such as glazing cost and insulation in certain places) by use of energy offset, higher efficiency air conditioning systems or use of renewables.

For instance, if you add an external adjustable shading device that is integrated with daylight sensors, it will offer passive heating and cooling for the building and allow you to use single-glazed windows instead of double/triple-glazed windows.

• JV3 analysis is a holistic approach and provides greater design flexibility to achieve energy compliance with the NCC energy efficiency requirements. For instance, if there is no space to add the minimum required insulation between the ceiling joists, JV3 allows adding more insulation to other parts (e.g. external walls) or some solar PV to compensate for the loss of insulation between the ceiling joists.
• JV3 modelling is a low-risk Performance Solution as NCC describes the method in full detail.
• JV3 allows energy to offset building energy demand by renewable onsite energy generation. For instance, we can add solar PV to the roof to compensate for the higher heating demand as a result of changing double-glazed windows to the single-glazed window.

JV3 has no limitation in applying customised building materials and glazing options. Any construction material and solution such as the Trombe wall can be modelled in computer modelling software. This can assist the architect/developer to investigate if the annual cost savings from a new construction technique outweighs the extra capital cost for that solution.

• JV3 allows the use of low-cost building services for a very efficient building fabric. If a decision is made to overinvest and construct a building fabric based on the concepts of a 100% passive house, it will barely need artificial heating & cooling. Hence minimum investment is required for such building services.
• JV3 modelling results are very accurate and with some modifications to the modelling parameters, JV3 model can be readily used for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) preliminary and detailed design. The hour-by-hour energy demand of the building allows for undertaking a feasibility assessment of different energy system options such as solar PV and solar thermal.
• JV3 makes it possible to reduce or increase insulation in some parts of the building fabric to offset a change in insulation in other parts.
• JV3 allows you to increase or reduce the amount of daylight light you receive inside the building by adjusting the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of the windows to your desired value. JV3 is the best solution when Section J DTS pathway requires tinted windows.
• If needed, JV3 can allow reaching higher levels of artificial lighting power density than what NCC allows under Deemed to Satisfy provisions.
• JV3 method requires performing thermal comfort level analysis and assures that the desired thermal comfort level in all occupied zones is achieved according to the definitions in ASHRAE 55 and NCC regulations.
• JV3 considers thermal interaction between building fabric components (roof/Wall/floor and glazing).
• JV3 considers the shading effect of the adjoining structures and features. This can positively assist with (for instance) an office or a hotel building thermal performance by reducing the active cooling required. Section J DTS doesn’t consider any shading effect from adjacent buildings. DTS only considers the shades attached directly to the building (such as eaves and permanent shades).
• JV3 inherently considers the effect of thermal mass in heat storage or release. The lag caused by thermal mass can substantially benefit the building’s thermal performance by reducing artificial cooling/heating demand.
• JV3 model can easily be used for any other assessment purposes like daylight modelling, CFD modelling or feasibility assessment.
• JV3 allows the use of lighting controls and daylight sensors to reduce the artificial lighting and cooling electricity demand.
• JV3 allows you to have excessive mechanical fresh air rates in luxury spaces, whereas NCC doesn’t allow you to go beyond 20% of fresh air rates as described in AS1668.2.
• JV3 considers the effect of internal heat gains from sources like lighting, occupancy and appliances (which offsets heating demand). Section J doesn’t consider any internal gain effect on building insulation and services.
• JV3 considers the effect of walls or roof surface colours in offsetting heating and cooling demand.
• JV3 considers the effect of using higher efficiency mechanical services such as chillers, heat pumps, boilers, circulation pumps and fans, to allow for reducing thermal performance requirements of the building fabric.
• JV3 approach is more than 90% similar to NABERS commitment modelling and Green Star modelling. Building owners can consider obtaining a NABERS or Green Star rating for their commercial building to benefit from the positive marketing effect of these ratings in a commercial lease.

JV3 Cons (disadvantages)

• Compared with Section J Deemed To Satisfy report, JV3 takes approximately 5 to 7 more working days to be finalized. Apparently, the consultant’s fee will be proportionately higher than the Section J DTS report.

At Energy Compliance Consultants, our team, with no exception to date, have always satisfied our valued client’s preferences with JV3 energy assessment method.

When is JV3 assessment required?

JV3 assessment is required when NCC Deemed to Satisfy provisions become expensive or cost-prohibitive to implement. For instance, if the building has an architectural feature that requires having an exposed concrete wall, then JV3 becomes the only solution to demonstrate NCC energy efficiency compliance.

To get a building permit, you need to satisfy NCC energy efficiency Performance Requirements. To do so, you can either use Section J DTS pathway or a Performance Solution approach such as JV3 method. JV3 method provides maximum flexibility in design and allows for reducing building energy construction costs.

Most ESD reports at the planning stage inherently require performing JV3 modelling. For instance, to obtain a building permit from certain Victorian governing councils, BESS rating tool triggers JV3 modelling when the floor area of a commercial development exceeds 1000m2.

If a building requires a Green Star design (not as built) rating, then Green Star modelling has to be done for the Green Star Design rating. However, instead of paying for and registering the building with GBCA, you can easily amend the Green Star modelling to a JV3 assessment. This can save a lot in energy compliance consultancy costs.

Building classes that can benefit from the JV3 method

The JV3 alternative method or Performance Solution applies to all commercial buildings (Class 3, Class 5, Class 6, Class 7, Class 8, Class 9 and the common area of Class 2 buildings). Apartments (Class 2 buildings) and the residential units inside commercial buildings (Class 4) are assessed under NatHERS star rating. Detached residential houses (Class 1) and sheds/garages (Class 10) buildings can benefit from the Performance Solution under Volume 2 of the National Construction Code, referred to as the “Verification Using a Reference Building” or VURB method. The table below summarizes a list of all buildings that can benefit from the JV3 assessment.

Note that while apartments cannot benefit from JV3 assessment at the moment with NCC 2019, from 1 May 2023, NCC 2022 will be adopted (with a transition period from 1 May to 1 October 2023) which is going to allow the use of JV3 modelling for apartments (class 2 buildings).

JV3 Modelling Tools

The computer modelling software used for the JV3 Verification using a reference building method or JV3 energy Performance Solution should be capable of hour-by-hour energy analysis. NCC prohibits using NatHERS software such as FirstRate5 to perform JV3 assessment for lacking hour-by-hour modelling capability.

At Energy Compliance Consultants we model our buildings using TRNSYS and DesignBuilder modelling software. This robust energy modelling software complies with all the requirements in NCC energy Performance Solution clauses. For commercial buildings, it complies with the ABCB Protocol for Building Energy Analysis Software (Version 2006.1). Referring to Clause 3 of the ABCB protocol for building energy analysis software; DesignBuilder software:

• Is commercially available in Australia;
• Is based on a simulation program using an hourly climate data file;
• Is capable of computing the annual energy consumption of a building under the Verification methods of the NCC;
• Can geometrically describe the building in 3D, which accounts for the surface azimuth, tilt angles and adjacent structures and features;
• Provides the results comparable to other similar software under ASHRAE Standard 140, Standard Method of Test for the Evaluation of Building Energy Analysis Computer programs using International Energy Agency BESTEST,
• Satisfies all the specific capabilities in Clause 4 of the ABCB protocol for building energy analysis software.
• Has a calculation method that complies with ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 140 and can assess the heating load and cooling load by modelling:

(i) The building fabric; and

(ii) Glazing and shading; and

(iii) Air infiltration and ventilation; and

(iv) The function and use of the building, including zoning, hours of occupation, hours of heating and cooling availability and internal heat gains; and

(v) Relevant built-environment and topographical features; and

(vi) The sensible heat component of the cooling load and heating load.

Our modelling capabilities

At Energy Compliance Consultants we use TRNSYS and DesignBuilder hour-by-hour building modelling software with the EnergyPlus modelling engine. Some of the core modelling capabilities are listed below:

Graphic visualisation: our modelling tool provides a graphic visualization of inputted data which allows us to model to the utmost accuracy. This feature involves a graphical presentation of the building construction and glazing data and their applied location in the model. When modelling natural or mechanical ventilation, we can track and visually check the airflow inside spaces. We can also export or import to/from almost all 3D design software such as Revit and Archicad.

Simulation capabilities: aside from the general physics of heat transfer and airflow, we can consider thermal mass energy storage and release of building materials, thermal bridging, with conventional construction materials and some new innovative Phase Change Materials (PCMs).

Simulation period: we can run the building thermal performance for any duration of the local climate data from a few hours to decades.

Realistic starting conditions: For the first-year calculation, our building modelling software warms up the slab and assigns realistic initial temperatures to the spaces before beginning to perform the simulation.

Evaluate heat loss or gain across all parts of the building: This includes heat loss or gains through any individual windows, wall section, roof or floor areas. We use this data to identify the potential energy savings and the impact of solutions.

Daylight modelling: We can analyse multi-zone daylighting, including light transmission through exterior and interior windows and reflection from all surfaces. This capability enables us to calculate daylight credits for schemes such as Green Star certification. We can also generate contour plots of daylight, evaluate glare within each area of the building and provide all the following daylighting metrics for our daylighting assessment: ADF, DA, sDA, ASE & UDI.

Preliminary design for Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC): The hour-by-hour building energy demand from JV3 analysis is balanced by hour-by-hour energy generation from the heater/chiller and storage system to accurately calculate the building carbon footprint. Using this data and our experience, we can design and size the HVAC plant room, ducting, piping and air distribution throughout the building.

Feasibility assessment of alternative energy solutions: this is a major part of the service that we offer to large commercial developments and we evaluate plant room design by the HVAC consultant. CHP (Combined Heat and Power) generation and Tri-generation (combined generators with absorption chiller) and ice thermal storage can also be incorporated into our JV3 modelling software.

Conclusion on JV3

JV3 assessment is a cost-effective choice for complex buildings or buildings with large glazing surface areas all across Australia. Whether you’re in the frosty Alpine areas of the Victorian High Country, the dry plains of the Gippsland region, or the salty conditions of the Surf Coast; the JV3 assessment presents a potential to save on construction costs.

What’s more – JV3 approach is a low-risk Performance Solution. There is no Performance Solution in NCC that has been discussed as detailed as the JV3 pathway. This backs up the energy performance solution report and avoids unnecessary delays by building surveyors or local councils.

We are so confident in our JV3 assessment that we offer a JV3 modelling service guarantee. This guarantee certifies that our JV3 assessment report will save you more in construction costs than our service fee. If for any reason, you don’t find a benefit in our report, then you don’t have to pay the remainder of our professional service fee.

What makes us different? Why choose Energy Compliance Consultants as your ESD partner?

With over 11 years of experience, we endeavour to add value by promising to be low cost and cost efficient, deliver our ESD report ontime and provide our unique Service Guarantee:

Detailed section cuts of the building fabric

When it comes to section cuts, this is where we shine. We provide section cuts for all walls and avoid combining and simplifying for the sake of higher modelling accuracy and lower energy construction costs for our clients. The following shows a sample section cut showing all the layers of construction with their relevant inherent R-value.

Insulation Mark up

We mark up and illustrate the insulation and different types of glazing for ease of communication. This has assisted our clients with a better understanding of the energy requirements and cost assessment of different options that we have offered. This also speeds up the council’s approval process as the outcomes of the energy report speak for themselves.

We iterate more to save more

Once we achieve compliance using JV3 method, we don’t stop there! We try to run and have more simulation iterations to save more in terms of construction costs. Different solutions may be assessed in a single project and our final proposal is guaranteed to be the best solution available to the client in the confinements of the building code.

We provide an example of the proposed insulation and glazing

All our suggested insulation and glazing come with an off-the-shelf example of such glazing and insulation in the market. We adopted this approach over time to assist project managers and quantity surveyors with a fast solution for the preliminary costing for tenders.

Feasibility assessment and mechanical services design review

Energy Compliance Consultants is part of Geoflow Australia Pty Ltd (Geoheat.com.au) and we can offer more than energy assessment. We can provide a feasibility assessment of all possible energy source options from geothermal to solar thermal, from Solar PV and battery systems to wind turbines and Trigeneration. We also provide Type 1, 2 and 3 energy audits and design of HVAC systems and design review.