The Australian government has taken several steps to minimise the implications of global warming. The commercial building industry contributes to a significant percentage of greenhouse gas emissions in the country.
Therefore to promote sustainability in the commercial building sector, the Australian government has introduced several efficiency compliance standards. To demonstrate compliance with the standards, you will need to perform energy efficiency assessments.
Energy efficiency assessments can be executed in various ways. And each assesment technique has its own benefits and weaknesses.
Deemed-to-satisfy (DtS) and JV3 assessment are the two most prevalent techniques for demonstrating compliance with BCA Section J.
With the DTS assessment method, each individual component of the commercial building needs to comply with the National Construction Code (NCC) Section J.
However, this solution might not be efficient for certain designs. In such cases, an alternative verification method or JV3 modelling can be used to demonstrate compliance.
JV3 Modelling Vs DTS Compliance
While the DTS technique requires every individual element of the building to comply with the code, the JV3 assessment method considers whole building compliance with the NCC standards.
The goal of these assessment techniques remains the same: to minimise greenhouse gas emissions through efficient commercial building design.
- JV3 assessment is performed using a computer-simulated three-dimensional model of the commercial structure.
- Every element of the commercial building, including interior wall cavities, individual window frames, shading designs, and glazing, needs to be replicated in the 3D model.
- Once you have created the 3D model with all the relevant details, it's time to run a simulation. This simulation execution uses actual historical weather data collected from a nearby weather station for evaluating the building's temperature for each hour throughout an entire year.
- Apart from evaluating the heat transfer through the building, the simulation also considered the additional heat load created by the building's occupants and electrical appliances following the JV3 modeling conditions.
- Additionally, the simulated building needs to include a section J compliant HVAC system and artificial lighting fixtures for approximate calculation of the structure's total annual energy consumption.
- The energy efficiency measurement and verification of the proposed commercial structure are then demonstrated by simulation of a DTS-compliant reference building. The calculated total annual energy consumption of the proposed development should be less than the annual energy consumption of the reference building to achieve compliance with the Section J standard.
While the JV3 assessment method can sometimes become complicated, it can significantly reduce construction costs and provide practical solutions for several design concepts. Additionally, a JV3 assessed building will always be more energy efficient than a DTS building.
Benefits of JV3 Assessment
- Provides enhanced flexibility for complicated and creative building designs.
- Allows energy efficiency compliance for design concepts unattainable or exorbitantly expensive with DTS requirements.
- The outcome is a more practical design that requires less cost to construct.
- Ability to incorporate design improvements, including improved energy performance and aesthetics and reducing unnecessary complexity.
Which Commercial Structures Are Eligible For JV3 Assessment?
- The residential portion of a hotel
- Common areas in a residential structure
- Office spaces
- Retail stores and shops
- Restaurant or cafe
- Car park
- Industrial storage space or warehouse
- Research and development laboratory
- Factories and manufacturing units
- Clinics and healthcare setups
- Theatre or cinema
- Schools and education centres
- Old age homes
Conclusion
Consult an experienced and qualified building consultant to get your commercial structure energy compliant.
