Projects designed by JGA
Thermal performance can be considered while the design is developing, with the rating and the architectural drawings informed by the same design decisions.
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RESIDENTIAL ENERGY PERFORMANCE / ACT & AUSTRALIA
Energy ratings.
Design thinking.
An energy rating should help you understand the home you are designing, and the choices that will make it work better.
ENERGY PERFORMANCE STARTS AT DESIGN STAGE01 / REGISTERED ARCHITECTJefferson Godfrey
Primary Nominated Architect, Jefferson Godfrey Architects Pty Ltd.
ACT Architect Registration No. 1088
02 / ACT BUILDING ASSESSORCOLA No. 2011194
ACT construction occupations licence held by Jefferson Godfrey. Residential energy assessment services within the applicable licence scope.
03 / PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
HERA Member 10326
Member of the House Energy Raters Association.
THE APPROACH
/ 01
/ 01
AN ARCHITECTURAL PERSPECTIVE
There is often more than one way to achieve seven stars.
Insulation and glazing specifications matter, but the overall design matters too. Orientation, window proportions, shading, construction type and the way spaces are arranged can all affect the result. As an architect, I can help the project team consider those choices together, rather than treating the rating as a last-minute paperwork exercise.
The aim is to find a practical and proportionate response for the particular house, site and budget. The most expensive specification is not automatically the best solution.
THE DESIGN AND THE DETAIL
Comfort begins long before construction.
THE SERVICE / 02
Residential projects,
at different stages.
My focus is residential work. I prepare energy ratings for my own architectural designs and can consider assessment work prepared by others.
Projects designed by others
Residential energy assessments for homeowners, architects, building designers and builders, accepted on a case-by-case basis. I can work with your existing plans and team.
New homes & major changes
Plans-based energy assessment for new homes and suitable major alterations or additions. The required rating and approval pathway depend on the project and jurisdiction.
Available for ACT residential projects and selected projects elsewhere in Australia, subject to the applicable accreditation, licensing, compliance pathway and agreed scope. Existing-home sale and rental disclosure ratings are a separate assessment service and are not advertised here.
THE CURRENT BENCHMARK7★
NatHERS thermal star rating for many new homes under NCC 2022.
UNDERSTANDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE
What does seven stars actually measure?
A NatHERS thermal star rating estimates how much heating and cooling a home's design is expected to need to maintain indoor comfort in its local climate. A higher rating generally indicates lower modelled heating and cooling demand.
Many new homes assessed through the NatHERS pathway now target at least seven stars. The precise requirement depends on the location, dwelling type and applicable approval pathway. In the ACT, the current new-home standard is equivalent to seven stars.
OrientationGlazingShadingInsulationConstructionClimate
CLARITY / 03
Three related things.
Different purposes.
01 / THERMAL RATING
NatHERS stars
Models heating and cooling demand from the building design and thermal envelope. This is the main residential rating service described on this page.
02 / WIDER ENERGY USE
Whole of Home
Looks at major fixed systems and appliances, and may consider onsite generation and storage. This is distinct from the thermal star rating and may form part of wider compliance requirements.
03 / LOCAL APPROVALS
ACT & NSW pathways
Different jurisdictions apply their own submission requirements. ACT building approval and NSW BASIX requirements should be confirmed for each project; a NatHERS star rating alone does not replace all approvals.
THE PROCESS / 04
From plans
to a clear outcome.
For an external project, an assessment begins with the documentation already available. I will confirm what is needed and whether the project is within scope.
01
Send the plans
Provide the address, proposed drawings, window and construction information you have. Early design documents are fine for an initial review.
02
Review & model
I check the available information and undertake the relevant residential thermal modelling once the details are sufficient.
03
Consider improvements
If a design falls short, we can review practical adjustments to glazing, insulation, shading or building configuration where appropriate.
04
Confirm the assessment
The agreed rating documentation and relevant assumptions are provided for the project team's approval process.
GETTING STARTED / 05
What to send
for a rating.
You do not need to have everything finalised before making contact. Send what you have and I can identify any gaps before an assessment begins.
Email plans for review ↗01
Site information
Property address, site plan, north point and any relevant orientation or shading information.
02
Design drawings
Floor plans, elevations, sections and other relevant drawings available at the time.
03
Windows & doors
Window sizes, glazing types, frame specifications, opening types and any available schedule.
04
Building construction
Roof, wall and floor systems, insulation specifications, colours, shading and other material details.
05
Project requirements
Relevant certifier comments, required assessment pathway and known approval deadlines.
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS / 06
Before you
get in touch.
Can you rate a home designed by another architect or builder?+
Yes, on a case-by-case basis. I can review residential plans prepared by others and confirm whether I can undertake the assessment, what additional details are needed and how the advice will fit with your project team.
Can you help if the design does not reach seven stars?+
Yes. This is a key advantage of combining architecture and thermal assessment. I can help identify design and specification options that are worth testing, taking into account the implications for the overall project. The final result depends on the documented design and modelling.
Is seven stars required for every residential project?+
No single rule applies to every home or approval. Seven stars is the general benchmark for many new homes using a NatHERS pathway under NCC 2022, including the ACT's current equivalent requirement. Alterations, existing dwellings, transitional approvals and state-specific pathways can have different requirements.
Do I need all my documents before asking for a quote?+
No. Send the plans and specifications currently available. I can check the stage of the project, advise what else is needed and confirm whether the rating can proceed.
Does the rating include BASIX or Whole of Home?+
The service described here centres on plans-based residential thermal assessment. Whole of Home calculations, BASIX certification and other sustainability submissions have separate requirements. I will confirm what is included in the agreed service before work begins.
Is this an existing-home sale or rental energy certificate?+
This page focuses on residential design ratings for new homes and appropriate major alterations or additions. ACT sale and rental EER disclosure statements are a separate assessment system; please do not assume they are included.
Does the rating guarantee comfort or lower power bills?+
No. NatHERS estimates heating and cooling needs based on the documented design and standardised assumptions. Real-world comfort and energy use also depend on construction quality, appliances, how a house is occupied and other factors.
RESIDENTIAL / THERMAL PERFORMANCE
Have a house
to assess?
Whether it is a JGA architectural project or one designed by another practice, start with the location and the plans you have. I can confirm the assessment scope and next steps.
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