The Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) supports and encourages residential energy efficiency through various mechanisms, including the Nationwide Home Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) and disclosure framework.
Biotext has extensive experience in energy efficiency content, particularly in the area of residential housing efficiency. We have provided expert analysis, content design, web content and technical editing for key products including the NatHERS guidance and disclosure framework.
Our role
- Content design and structure
- Technical writing and synthesis
- Copyediting and proofreading
- Visual communication
- Work with subject matter experts
Our solution
Residential energy efficiency lowers household power bills, improves indoor year-round comfort, and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. We worked with DCCEEW to deliver key resources to support residential energy efficiency.
Nationwide Home Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS)
NatHERS is a national scheme to measure the energy efficiency of a residential dwelling, to provide consistent ratings across Australia. We partnered with the department in a significant project to write and edit the original NatHERS assessment handbook, ensuring that registered assessors could easily navigate and understand the complex NatHERS assessment process and requirements.
In a later project, NatHERS was expanded to include a new Whole of Home rating that measures the energy use of the whole home including appliances, solar and batteries. To help assessors complete the new rating accurately, a Guidance Note was developed to provide step-by-step instructions and details. Biotext worked with the department to restructure and rewrite content to ensure it was clear and comprehensive and met assessor needs.
A Calculation Method was also drafted to outline the method that underpins the Whole of Home rating calculation, so that software developers could include the new rating in assessment tools. Biotext experts edited this highly technical document to ensure the science and mathematics were clear, including clear presentation of equations.
National framework for disclosure of residential energy efficiency information
The aim of energy efficiency disclosure for residential buildings is to provide consumers with consistent home energy performance information to encourage action that reduces household energy usage, bills and emissions. Developed in a collaborative project of the Australian, state and territory governments, the framework sets out a national approach to energy efficiency disclosure and gives guidance on development of a supportive market environment.
Biotext worked closely with the department to structure, write, edit and design the framework to ensure it was clear and robust. We worked over several iterations with feedback from stakeholders and jurisdictions. The design included several infographics of key concepts.
We also worked on the user manuals for 2 software products that deliver NatHERS rating, to lead assessors through a complex process and detailed information.
Outcomes
- National framework for disclosure of residential energy efficiency information
- NatHERS assessment handbook and Guidance note