In the studio
Mandurah · Albany · Adelaide The residential team at work
Have you used EcoForm's free BAL Estimator, NaTHERS Star Estimator or Commercial Compliance Check?
Try the Calculator Now!EcoForm helps homeowners, builders and architects achieve the energy outcomes required by the National Construction Code, while keeping the design intent intact.
ComplianceNCC Volume Two, NatHERS-rated thermal performance assessments.
DocumentationStamped reports for council, certifier and CC lodgement.
TurnaroundTypically 5-7 business days, depending on job complexity.
Whole-of-home NatHERS assessments using accredited modelling to meet the 7-star minimum (or higher target) with buildable solutions.
When the development struggles to reach the 7-star minimum, we will look at alternative ways the building can be modified to achieve the target.
Compliance pathways for single dwellings from concept review to stamped certificates for approval.
Targeted advice on what triggers compliance, what doesn’t, and how to thread additions through existing fabric without redesigning the whole home.
Multiple-unit assessments coordinated across the development, making sure we achieve both the minimum star rating and average star rating.
Orientation, shading, glazing ratio and zoning recommendations during concept where the cheapest performance gains live.
Before council issues a building permit, your home needs to prove it meets the energy efficiency requirements of the National Construction Code. Here's what we actually do with your drawings.
We take your plans and rebuild the home inside accredited NatHERS software: every wall, floor, ceiling, roof, window and door, with their construction and insulation values.
The software calculates how much energy is required to keep occupants comfortable. This is expressed as megajoules per square metre per year (MJ/m²·pa) for heating and cooling.
The fewer megajoules your home uses, the higher its star rating. We check it against the NCC minimum (or your higher target) and confirm whether it passes.
If it passes, we issue the certificate council needs. If it doesn't, we tell you exactly which insulation or windows to change, then re-model and re-issue.
A high-rated project can be built almost anywhere in Australia without blowing the budget, provided these factors are considered early. The cheapest performance gains live at concept; redesigning at DA or licence stage is where a project starts to hurt.
Every site sits in a climate zone, and most also have a microclimate that affects the energy calculations. Understanding the zone shapes the best design, construction method, materials and orientation for a project.
Living spaces facing north, bedrooms south. Distance from boundary matters too — overshadowing from neighbours can restrict solar access and undermine the rating.
The amount of glass, particularly in living areas, and the depth of the eaves above it. Too much glass with shallow eaves overheats; too little glass with deep eaves under-lights and under-heats.
Good design principles reduce the need for expensive material substitutions later. Get the first three factors right and the build schedule rarely needs to change to make the numbers work.
Reduces radiant heat gain through the roof — a major driver of summer cooling loads, particularly in warmer zones.
The most important insulation in any project — it greatly reduces both heat gain and heat loss across the largest single surface.
Can supply more than three times the light of a vertical window of the same size, but location and area are critical to avoid compromising the rating.
External walls should be insulated to reduce conducted, radiant and convected heat transfer across the envelope.
The ability of wall or floor material to soak up heat and release it later, smoothing internal temperatures. Concrete floors or masonry walls are the usual sources.
The single most important factor in an energy-efficient project. Improving thermal performance of windows reduces both emissions and running costs.
An energy-efficient floor lifts the rating and reduces running costs. Elevated floors should be insulated to limit heat flow downwards in winter and upwards in summer.
A high-rated build can be delivered almost anywhere in Australia without blowing the budget, provided these factors are considered before the trades are on site. Catching them at concept is cheap; chasing them mid-build is not.
Every site sits in a climate zone, with microclimates layered on top. Understanding the zone shapes which fabric, glazing and services choices will actually pass on this build.
Living spaces facing north, bedrooms south. Distance from boundary matters too — overshadowing from neighbours can restrict solar access and drag the rating down.
Total glass area, particularly in living rooms, and the depth of the eaves above it. The two work together; balance both or pay for it in glazing upgrades later.
Good design principles reduce the need for expensive material substitutions on site. Get the first three right and the build schedule rarely needs to change to make the numbers work.
Reduces radiant heat gain through the roof — a major driver of summer cooling loads in warmer zones.
The most important insulation in any build — it greatly reduces both heat gain and heat loss across the largest single surface.
Can supply up to three times the light of a vertical window of the same size, but their size and location need to be right or they'll compromise the rating.
External walls should be insulated to reduce conducted, radiant and convected heat transfer across the envelope.
The ability of wall or floor material to soak up heat and release it later, smoothing internal temperatures. Concrete floors or masonry walls are the usual sources.
The single most important factor in an energy-efficient build. Window thermal performance directly reduces both emissions and running costs for the owner.
An energy-efficient floor lifts the rating and reduces running costs. Elevated floors should be insulated to limit heat flow.
Whole-of-home star rating with heating & cooling loads — the document council needs for your building permit.
The exact specifications used in the model so the trades buy what was assessed, not a substitute that fails verification.
What the rating means, what changed it, and what to watch on site so as-built matches as-modelled.
We'll talk through what the report says so you can move on to the next decision with confidence.
EcoForm has experience assisting on every size of residential development — alterations and additions, granny flats, large new homes, multi-residential.
If you're after minimum compliance, we're market leaders in performance solutions giving you freedom in the design while still meeting the requirements. If you're aiming beyond minimum, we're equally skilled at fulfilling sustainability goals without compromising the budget.