Savills partner with HFM to improve NABERS energy rating
As part of World Environment Day, Savills Australia, together with HFM Asset Management, has commented on sustainability and energy-efficiency through assessing the NABERS energy star rating system.
The world-leading method is used throughout the property industry in order to decrease environmental impact while increasing environmentally friendly processes within buildings.
For more than 10 years, the NABERS rating system has assisted property owners, managers and tenants across Australia. The rating system is utilised nationally and is developed to provide a reliable and consistent environmental benchmark. The rating system is acknowledged as an international leader in creating energy- and water-efficient buildings and is responsible for a significant reduction in environmental impact.
The NABERS approach
The NABERS rating tool for offices takes into consideration:
- The climate of a building;
- The hours of its use;
- The level of service it provides; and
- The energy sources it uses.
The rating system is a reflection of the performance of the building. For example, a six-star rating indicates premium performance, while a one-star rating indicates there is significant scope for improvement.
Today, NABERS ratings are an important component of a commercial building’s management and maintenance. Buildings with high NABERS ratings are highly regarded within the market place, and set a benchmark for building owners to aspire to, as they add greater capital gains, while eliminating hefty operating costs.
The significance of a high NABERS rating
Savills Australia has partnered with HFM in order to improve the efficiency and performance of their commercial buildings. Achieving and delivering a high NABERS rating is important for a property to maintain its value. High ratings increase rental income for landlords and buildings therefore become highly attractive to buyers if ever released to the market.
Greener building efficiency assists landlords in meeting tenants’ expectations and requirements, resulting in mutually beneficial relationships between owners and occupiers. Savills Australia recognises the importance of maintaining a high NABERS rating in all of its managed buildings, demonstrating the company’s commitment to protect, conserve and optimise positive environmental changes and outcomes.
NABERS energy is now being used to rate 72 per cent of Australian offices and buildings. Using NABERS principles to measure environmental performance has resulted in an 8.5 per cent energy-efficiency improvement, while saving 383,300 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Savills Australia and HFM partnership
HFM has assisted Savills Australia in managing several commercial buildings in order to achieve high NABERS ratings.
Dynons Plaza, on Hay Street in Perth, has an energy rating of 5.0 stars and a water rating of 5.0 stars. HFM provides the building with monthly energy and water tracking reports, electricity procurement, energy management plans, annual NABERS ratings and Building Energy Efficiency Certificates, compliance reports, and a solar power purchasing agreement review.
The Savills-managed office building at 130 Stirling Street, Perth, receives the same service as the Dynons Plaza and maintains a NABERS energy rating of 5.5 stars.
Tips for your building’s energy efficiency
Preparation is the key to an accurate NABERS rating. This is achieved by having the necessary data available and easily accessible for a NABERS-accredited assessor.
- Starting an energy-management plan for your company, and identifying where energy efficiencies could be implemented to reduce costs and greenhouse emissions.
- Monitoring and reporting on your energy expenditure in areas of the building that are of concern so that any problems can be fixed. Adequate metering is critical for thorough and precise monitoring. Installing sub-meters is an example of how this can be successfully achieved.
Furthermore, considering the fine-tuning of infrastructure services will also benefit a building’s environmental efficiency. This can include modifying and commissioning the HVAC controls, or installing occupancy-based lighting, higher efficiency uninterruptible power supplies, and power distribution units where feasible.
Click here for some useful tips on maintaining your building’s energy-efficiency during winter.
Ultimately, high NABERS ratings benefit the overall operation of office buildings, while delivering positive outcomes to stakeholders, staff, customers, facility managers, retail merchants and investors. Savills Australia and HFM together strive to achieve and maintain high NABERS ratings for their managed properties through ample housekeeping and regular assessments.