Frequently asked questions
- How do I get a Home Energy Rating assessment?
- How much does a Home energy Rating assessment cost?
- What if I am not happy with my assessor or assessment?
- Are Home Energy Ratings compulsory? Will it be compulsory in future?
- Is a Home Energy Rating a minimum standard – if I get one will I have to make the improvements?
- An old home is different to a new home – how can you compare them?
- Who can access information about my home?
- Do any other countries have Home energy Ratings?
- What assistance is available to help me make improvements to my home?
- How do I become a Home energy Rating assessor?
- What is the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors?
How do I get a Home Energy Rating assessment?
To get an assessment, simply select an assessor in your area from the list of qualified assessors
How much does a Home Energy Rating assessment cost?
The cost of an assessment is set by an assessor, and may vary considerably depending on things like location, size and complexity of the home. It is recommended that you get quotes from several assessors, as you would with any service. To find assessors visit the ABSA website - www.absa.net.nz.
What if I am not happy with my assessor or assessment?
Contact the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA), which is responsible for monitoring and quality assurance of Home Energy Rating assessors and assessments. Assessors are also required to hold Professional Indemnity and Liability Insurance.
Are Home Energy Ratings compulsory? Will it be compulsory in the future?
Home Energy Ratings are a choice – that is, there is no obligation on home owners, buyers, sellers or anyone else to get a rating. Many countries are using compulsory building energy ratings (that is, compulsory disclosure of ratings, generally at point of sale or lease) as a way to help accelerate improvement in the energy efficiency of homes, and the Government wants to explore this option for New Zealand. However, it is necessary to see how the scheme actually works in practice before any recommendations can be made as to whether compulsory Home Energy Ratings could be an appropriate pathway for New Zealand.
Is a Home Energy Rating a minimum standard – if I get one will I have to make the improvements?
No – there is no “pass” or “fail” for Home Energy Ratings. The assessments are about making a home’s energy performance more tangible and visible, so people can make informed choices about what they want from their homes.
An old home is different to a new home – how can you compare them?
It stands to reason that an average 1920’s villa will generally rate lower than an average new home – building code standards have changed, materials have changed, and awareness of the value of building more efficient homes has increased. As well as providing a rating that is comparative over any type of house, the Home Energy Rating report shows how average homes of different types rate. This means you can see how a home rates compared to other homes of a similar type.
Who can access the information about my home?
It is your choice as to who sees the Home Energy Rating for your home – for example, whether you wish to share it with prospective buyers or tenants.
The information collected during an assessment is specific to the home itself, not the people living in the home, and it is held by the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA). This enables ABSA to monitor quality and consistency of assessments, and carry out quality assurance processes. Data is subject to the Privacy Act.
Do any other countries have Home Energy Ratings?
Yes – many countries have adopted similar programmes, either on a voluntary or mandatory basis, to improve consumer awareness and encourage a faster rate of improvement in the energy efficiency of their homes.
In some countries, such as the Netherlands and most Australian states, an energy rating is mandatory for new homes and voluntary for existing buildings.
An energy rating is a mandatory requirement on new and existing homes (at the point of sale or lease) in Germany, Denmark, the UK, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in Australia.
International experience has found that voluntary schemes tend to have very low rates of uptake (even those with ties to grants and incentives), so many countries are moving towards mandatory schemes.
For example, the European Union’s Directive on The Energy Performance of Buildings means every member country has already or will soon have energy performance certificates available whenever a home is constructed, sold or leased.
What assistance is available to help me make improvements to my home?
The Home Energy Rating programme is one of a range of Government initiatives working towards warmer, healthier homes with reduced energy costs. For a list of grants and assistance available to help New Zealanders act to improve their energy efficiency, visit Grants
How do I become a Home Energy Rating assessor?
To find out more about how to become an accredited Home Energy Rating assessor, visit go to the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA) website - www.absa.net.nz. ABSA is responsible for providing assessor accreditation services for the Home Energy Rating programme, and has all the information you need to find out about becoming an assessor.
What is the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA)?
ABSA is a not-for-profit organisation, currently responsible for delivering assessor training and accreditation services for the Home Energy Ratings. Go to ABSA’s website www.absa.net.nz for more information.