Use of NatHERS tools for the National Construction Code Reference Building Verification Method

The NatHERS Administrator would like to advise that the following software tools in regulation mode have been accredited under NatHERS:

• AccuRate v2.3.3.13 SP3,
• BERS Pro v4.3.0.2a(3.13) and
• FirstRate5 v5.2.6(3.13),

These tools are suitable for demonstrating compliance with the thermal performance provisions in the National Construction Code (NCC) via the Deemed-to-Satisfy pathway (i.e. clause 3.12.0.1 of NCC Volume Two; and clause J0.2 of NCC Volume One).

NatHERS does not accredit tools for use under other NCC compliance pathways. Assessors, building certifiers and regulators should review documentation closely when the Reference Building Verification Method is used for houses (i.e. clause V2.6.2.2 of NCC Volume Two), to ensure all NCC requirements are being satisfied.

It is important to recognise that V2.6.2.2 has different thermostat settings to those required under NatHERS:

• V2.6.2.2 requires that modelled space temperatures be set in the range of 25°C to 28°C for cooling and 20°C to 21°C for heating, dependent on NCC climate zone.
• NatHERS requires space temperature settings of between 22.5°C and 27°C for cooling (depending on the NatHERS climate zone) and various heating temperature settings (depending on the dwelling zone).

Further information on NatHERS thermostat settings can be found in the NatHERS Software Accreditation Protocol, Appendix B.