Every building has an impact on the environment. That's why NABERS has developed a simple energy rating tool to help more building sectors measure and improve their energy efficiency.
What is the Energy Performance Indicator?
The NABERS Energy Performance Indicator is a simplified energy rating tool for smaller sectors that do not currently have a standalone NABERS Energy rating tool. It provides a verified measure of energy and emissions intensity, helping buildings track performance, reduce emissions and cut costs over time.
The Energy Performance Indicator helps building owners and tenants across Australia start their energy efficiency journeys.
Who is eligible for the Energy Performance Indicator?
The Energy Performance Indicator is for building sectors that are not currently covered by NABERS Energy ratings.
NABERS is dedicated to optimising and reducing energy use in the built environment. However, there are many building sectors that are not currently eligible for a NABERS Energy rating. These sectors may be individually responsible for lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions, but collectively they produce significant levels of energy use.
Buildings eligible for the NABERS Energy Performance Indicator include, but are not limited to:
- Retail (not covered by NABERS Retail Stores tool), food & beverage services.
- Entertainment, recreation & sports facilities.
- Public buildings & transport buildings.
- Manufacturing & storage facilities.
- Childcare centres, accommodation services (not covered by NABERS Hotels tool) and more.
A full list of eligible sectors is in the NABERS Energy Performance Rules. Eligible sectors can still be rated even if a sector comparison dial is unavailable.
If your building type is eligible for a NABERS Energy rating, you cannot use the NABERS Energy Performance Indicator.
What are the benefits of the Energy Performance Indicator?
The Energy Performance Indicator offers a number of benefits to building owners and tenants, including:
- Track building performance and sustainability over time.
- Compare with others in the same sector (where data is available).
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions over time.
- Identify potential cost savings.
- Promote environmental credentials with NABERS certification.
How does the Energy Performance Indicator rating work?
The NABERS Energy Performance Indicator provides a verified measure of energy and emissions intensity using energy usage and floor area. Each rating also includes a Renewable Energy Indicator score, displaying the proportion of the building’s energy that comes from on and off-site renewable energy sources.
After assessment, the rating can be used to help identify cost savings by tracking energy intensity and emissions over time, as well as to promote a building’s environmental credentials.
Where sufficient sector data is available, an Energy Performance Indicator rating can also be used for comparison of a building’s energy performance against sector averages. This will be illustrated on the rating certificate using a simple dial comparison instead of a star rating.
What if no comparable sector data exists?
In the case where no comparable sector data points exist, a verified measure of energy and emissions intensity will still be provided, along with the Renewable Energy Indicator score. As popularity of the Energy Performance Indicator tool increases, more dial ratings for sector averages will become available.
How does the Energy Performance Indicator differ from the NABERS Energy star rating?
Similar to a NABERS Energy rating, the Energy Performance Indicator allows for tracking and comparison of a building’s energy performance. Unlike the NABERS Energy rating, the Energy Performance Indicator provides a simple rating score or dial (where available) rather than the more in-depth star rating system.
It is designed as a starting point to building rating, verification and sustainability. The Energy Performance Indicator is only available to sectors that do not have a standalone NABERS Energy rating tool.
Other ways the NABERS Energy Performance Indicator differs:
- Minimum energy coverage includes all air conditioning and ventilation.
- Less detailed sector average benchmarks.
- Energy usage highlights to share activities of high energy use.
- Comparison using MJ/m2 rather than emissions.
- 50% cheaper than the star rating.
How do I get an Energy Performance Indicator rating?
A NABERS Accredited Assessor will carry out the rating, and work with you to help plan documentation and actions required, including site visits and energy data such as building area and existing energy usage.
The NABERS certification fee for an Energy Performance Indicator rating is 50% cheaper than a star rating. For more information refer to the Pricing page. Assessor fees will also be applicable.