NABERS UK: Building Analytics and Optimisation for Net-Zero

How the NABERS UK Building Rating System is Transforming UK Energy Performance

The UK has set ambitious targets to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, requiring significant improvements in building energy performance across the commercial real estate sector. To help meet these goals, NABERS UK was introduced in 2020 as a globally recognised performance-based energy rating system, bringing a more reliable way to measure a building’s operational energy use. NABERS provides a long-needed alternative to EPC ratings, which are based on design-stage predictions, and offers a practical method to assess the real-world energy efficiency of UK buildings.

NABERS in the UK: A Performance-Based System

Unlike traditional rating systems like EPC (Energy Performance Certificates), which measure a building’s theoretical energy efficiency based on its design, NABERS UK focuses on actual energy consumption over a 12-month period. EPC ratings are calculated using a standardised methodology called the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), which assesses a building’s potential energy efficiency at the design phase. SAP calculates scores based on factors like insulation, heating systems, and building materials, producing a score that reflects the energy use of a building if it were used under standard conditions.

While EPC and SAP scores provide an important initial benchmark, they don’t reflect real-world energy performance once the building is operational. This is where NABERS steps in, offering an operational energy rating that tracks and verifies actual energy usage over time, making it a far more accurate measure of a building’s energy efficiency.

EPC and NABERS complement each other: EPC gives a design-based starting point, while NABERS provides ongoing performance metrics, allowing building owners to continuously monitor and improve energy efficiency as the building is occupied and operational. In the post-COVID era, as businesses reoccupy offices and energy usage rises, NABERS helps ensure that buildings perform efficiently and continue to improve their energy ratings.

Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) and NABERS UK

The Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) plays a crucial role in the adoption of NABERS UK. As a member-led organisation focused on improving the sustainability of the UK’s commercial real estate sector, BBP is committed to helping building owners and operators adopt the NABERS framework. BBP’s involvement ensures that NABERS UK is aligned with the needs of landlords, investors, and tenants, helping drive industry-wide adoption and encouraging a shift towards performance-based energy assessments.

BBP has actively supported the development of NABERS UK to bridge the gap between EPC ratings and actual building performance. The partnership’s backing highlights NABERS as the go-to system for landlords looking to not only improve energy efficiency but also enhance tenant satisfaction and meet increasing regulatory requirements around sustainability.

CIBSE’s Role in NABERS UK Administration

On 3 April 2024, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) was appointed as the new NABERS UK administrator, marking a significant step in the initiative’s growth. CIBSE is a founding member of the NABERS UK Steering Committee and is deeply rooted in the UK building sector, with a track record of advancing decarbonisation and energy efficiency. This transition to CIBSE’s oversight ensures that NABERS UK is in experienced hands and well-placed to continue its expansion across the UK commercial property market. CIBSE’s involvement signals confidence in the NABERS scheme, reinforcing its pivotal role in helping the UK meet its net-zero goals.

“We are delighted that CIBSE is now overseeing NABERS UK, as this aligns with our commitment to improving energy efficiency and decarbonisation in the built environment.”
— Ruth Carter, Chief Executive, CIBSE

History and Success of NABERS in Australia

NABERS has a long-standing history in Australia, where it originated in 1998 as a pioneering system for measuring building energy performance. Initially launched as the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating system, NABERS was designed to account for Australia’s unique climate zones and energy sources. Its performance-based approach, which tracks real-time energy usage over a 12-month period, was a game-changer for Australia’s commercial property sector.

The success of NABERS in Australia can be attributed to its mandatory disclosure requirement, driven by the Commercial Building Disclosure Program (CBD). This program requires buildings over 1,000m² to disclose their NABERS energy rating when sold or leased, driving transparency and accountability across the sector. By 2021, NABERS had achieved 90% market penetration, with over 80 buildings attaining a prestigious 6-star rating.

Challenges of NABERS UK Adoption

While NABERS UK offers enormous potential for the UK property sector, its successful adoption requires overcoming two key challenges:

1. Cultural Shift from Design-Based Ratings to Performance-Based Assessments:
   Many in the UK commercial property sector are used to relying on EPC ratings, which assess energy performance based on a building’s design. NABERS introduces a performance-based rating system that focuses on actual energy usage, requiring building owners and managers to adopt a more proactive approach to energy management. By continuously monitoring energy performance, NABERS UK helps close the “performance gap” between expected and actual energy consumption, but it requires a shift in thinking and operational processes.

2. Complexity of the Commercial Property Sector:
   With buildings varying in size, use, and operational complexity, the move to performance-based energy ratings like NABERS UK requires more granular data and frequent energy monitoring. Commercial property owners must invest in advanced building analytics to track real-time performance and adapt their energy management strategies accordingly. This shift creates opportunities for building optimization but also requires an enhanced focus on continuous data collection and analysis.

Benefits of NABERS UK: Why Commercial Buildings Should Adopt It

Despite the challenges, NABERS UK offers compelling advantages for the UK’s commercial property sector:

• Reliability Through Performance-Based Data: NABERS UK measures actual energy use, providing more accurate and reliable data than design-based systems like EPCs. This helps building owners track their real-world energy performance and identify areas for improvement, aligning their operations with net-zero goals.

• Increased Market Value and Sustainability: By improving energy performance and NABERS ratings, building owners can boost their property’s market value and attract eco-conscious tenants. Properties with higher NABERS ratings are often seen as more desirable, helping landlords meet growing demands for sustainable buildings.

• Compliance with Regulations: NABERS UK helps building owners comply with energy efficiency regulations, reducing the risk of penalties and ensuring long-term sustainability. As the UK government increases its focus on decarbonisation, having a NABERS rating will likely become even more important for regulatory compliance.

• Enhanced Accountability and Continuous Improvement: The performance-based nature of NABERS fosters a culture of continuous improvement, requiring building owners to actively manage their energy use and improve operational efficiency. This encourages sustainability innovation in building operations, leading to lower energy bills, reduced carbon emissions, and better overall building performance.

How Bueno Analytics Supports NABERS UK

Bueno Analytics supports the NABERS UK initiative through its NABERS Tracker tool, which provides monthly updates on estimated NABERS ratings for both portfolios and individual buildings. This powerful tool helps building owners and facility managers stay ahead of their performance, allowing them to address potential issues before official NABERS reporting periods.

The Bueno platform collects real-time data from various building systems, such as HVAC, lighting, fire systems, and more. This comprehensive data collection allows Bueno to provide an integrated view of energy consumption, identify inefficiencies, and offer actionable insights to improve building performance.

NABERS Tracker empowers building owners by offering clear visibility into their building’s energy usage and trends. By using predictive analytics, it helps managers make timely interventions to optimise energy use and increase their NABERS ratings. This proactive approach avoids costly penalties and ensures that the building remains aligned with NABERS UK requirements.

Contact Bueno to find out how we can help improve your NABERS UK rating and drive greater energy efficiency across your portfolio.