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AccuRate & BERS
House energy rating software is a
sophisticated computer program developed by the CSIRO. It’s
measures the homes ability to stay naturally warm in winter
and cool in summer. The output is a report that shows the
amount of heating and cooling required to maintain a
comfortable temperature and returns a 0 to 10 Star Rating for energy
performance.
Upon reaching a thermal comfort target, your assessor will issue a
certificate and stamp your plans as certified. In NSW,
this
certificate number and energy output is entered into the BASIX
certificate to complete the Thermal Comfort section, otherwise
known as " Simulation"
method.
Assessors must be licensed and trained in building thermal
performance. They must also carry indemnity insurance
and work by the ABSA's
Code of Practice.
THERMAL
SIMULATION SOFTWARE
1st
Generation Software (NatHERS)
NatHERS was NSW’s original thermal comfort assessment
software. NatHERS has been phased as of April
2009 and replaced with 2nd generation tools.
2nd
Generation
Software (BERS/ACCURATE/FIRSTRATE)
All second generation data entry programs share the same
calculating engine. The engine used is an updated version of
the CSIRO’s calculator from the original NatHERS model.
The main
differences between first and second generation software are:
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More sophisticated materials modelling
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Advanced cross ventilation modelling
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Allowance for heating generated from cooking loads
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A shift in the
importance of winter heating
All second generation software tools are
now nationally accepted. The difference between BERS, AccuRate
and FIRSTRATE is the style in which data is feed into the
calculating engine. All programs are tested for accuracy and
must be capable of providing results within 5% accuracy.
Second generation tools give thermal performance in a range
from 0 to 10 stars. This offers a marketing edge to developers
of highly thermal efficient buildings.
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