The Architects Guide to Energy Efficiency: Avoiding Costly Compliance
I've been encountering the same problem for a while now: receiving a beautiful home design from an architect, one that’s nearly ready for building certification, only to discover significant energy efficiency issues at the last minute.
When I was on the architectural side of projects, we did the same thing — leaving the energy efficiency assessment until the end. Sometimes, we got the tick-box done. Sometimes, we didn’t. When we didn’t, it meant weeks of coordinating specifications, making revisions, and navigating limitations that could have been avoided with earlier intervention.
The Pitfall of Late Involvement
Architectural projects that reach the building approval and certification stage have already undergone many design iterations with the client, navigated complex planning approvals, and coordinated various engineering details. By this point, everything from timber framing to construction details has been meticulously worked out and compiled into a final set of plans. The last thing anyone wants to hear at this stage is that the project is non-compliant with energy efficiency requirements.
This recently happened to me again.
The architect sent me plans for an alteration and addition to an old stone cottage. These types of homes are already challenging to bring up to current energy standards due to their age and construction style. But we gave it a shot, knowing the holistic, human-centered outcomes were worth the effort.
After several iterations, we managed to get the home’s energy rating to around 4.0 Stars. Unfortunately, this doesn't meet South Australia's current minimum standard of 6.0 Stars. Even though the home was performing better than before, it still wasn't enough to meet compliance. We then attempted to navigate the NCC 2019 Deemed to Satisfy pathway, which evaluates each element of the home independently.
We immediately encountered three common challenges:
Skylight placement and sizing raised compliance concerns – requiring adjustments to maintain both performance standards and architectural intent
Some wall constructions faced issues with achieving the desired thermal performance – leading to a reassessment of materials and finishes without compromising the design
Window performance calculations were complex – pushing the need for higher-performing glazing solutions to balance energy efficiency with architectural requirements
Months of project coordination and thousands of dollars spent by the client now seemed in jeopardy. The architect had to deliver the disappointing news to the client, explaining that their home was non-compliant with energy efficiency requirements. This kind of outcome is frustrating for everyone involved — especially when it could have been avoided.
The Power of Early Engagement
But it doesn’t always have to be this way. In fact, there’s a polar opposite experience I had with a very similar project, where the outcome was vastly different due to one critical factor: early engagement.
On this project, we were brought in from the early stages of design. The home initially had a NatHERS rating of 2.5 Stars — far below what was needed. However, because we were involved early, we had the opportunity to work closely with the architect and the client, tailoring the design to improve energy efficiency while still meeting their aesthetic and functional goals.
Through a series of thoughtful adjustments and iterations, we were able to increase the energy rating to 4.5 Stars. But more than just improving the star rating, we were able to achieve a healthy and comfortable home environment. We managed those compliance issues with DTS (Deemed to Satisfy) early on, ensuring that the design met all compliance requirements well before the construction documentation phase.
The result? The architect was able to move forward with construction documentation with complete certainty, knowing that the project was fully compliant and optimised for energy efficiency. The client was thrilled with the outcome, and the entire process was smoother, faster, and more cost-effective.
A Better Way Forward
Energy efficiency compliance can be straightforward, cost-effective, and even enhance your client’s journey through your business. The key lies in how early we engage with energy efficiency considerations. For too long, “thermal performance assessors” have been brought in at the end of the process, expected to rubber-stamp a project that’s already been through countless iterations.
Instead, by involving a “thermal performance assessor” early in a project’s lifecycle, you turn an “assessor” into a “consultant,” preventing last-minute setbacks. It might cost a little more upfront than a simple pre-approval tick-box, but that cost is minimal compared to the savings in time, money, and client satisfaction that comes from getting it right the first time.
Not only does early engagement lead to more efficient outcomes, but it also allows us to create healthier, more comfortable, and resilient homes for your clients. This approach turns a potential compliance hurdle into an opportunity for enhancing the overall design and living experience.
In short, it’s a win-win for everyone involved.