Need an Energy Assessment?

EcoForm supports commercial developments by providing early-stage advice on energy efficiency, sustainability, and bushfire risk. We work alongside your design team to identify practical, cost-effective solutions that improve building performance and meet regulatory requirements.

Our services include energy efficiency assessments, Green Star ratings, and sustainability strategies that can reduce operating costs, lower emissions, and add long-term value to your project.

An Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) report demonstrates how a project exceeds basic energy efficiency standards to deliver a genuinely sustainable outcome. Scalable to any development, ESD reports support planning approval, justify higher-density proposals, or align with a developer’s sustainability goals. Key considerations may include solar access, natural ventilation, thermal performance, water and energy systems, and optional Green Star, NABERS, or LCA assessments. Early engagement with EcoForm helps integrate sustainability with minimal impact on design or cost.

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates a building's environmental impact from material extraction through to end-of-life disposal. It considers embodied energy, construction methods, and operational energy use to calculate the total footprint—essential for achieving carbon-neutral or net-zero outcomes. In some areas, such as the Town of Vincent, LCAs are mandatory at the Development Application stage. Whether for compliance or to support high-performance sustainable design, EcoForm provides tailored LCA assessments to guide your project.

Green Star is a national sustainability rating system that recognises buildings and communities designed to go beyond minimum compliance. Whether your project requires Green Star certification due to development conditions, government mandates, or a commitment to sustainability, EcoForm can assist. Benefits include reduced operating costs, increased asset value, healthier environments, and stronger market appeal. Our accredited consultants deliver Green Star services as part of a broader suite of sustainability offerings or as a standalone service, tailored to your project’s needs.

EcoForm provides JV3 assessments for residential projects, offering a flexible pathway to BCA energy efficiency compliance.

Using 3D energy modelling, we simulate your building and compare it to a BCA-compliant benchmark to establish a maximum allowable energy load (kWh). As long as this energy target is met, individual building components can vary from BCA minimums.

This allows greater design flexibility—such as reducing insulation where it’s not needed—or offsetting requirements through features like energy-efficient lighting, helping you avoid costly upgrades like underfloor insulation or specialty glazing.

EcoForm offers Section J Assessments for commercial projects to demonstrate compliance with the energy efficiency requirements of the NCC (Volume 1).

Section J reports assess each building element—roof, walls, floors, glazing, and lighting—against minimum insulation and performance standards. Each component must individually comply, with no ability to trade off between elements.

While Section J assessments are simpler and have a lower upfront cost compared to JV3 modelling, they can result in higher construction costs due to stricter, non-flexible requirements.

Contact EcoForm to find out whether a Section J assessment or a JV3 assessment is the best option for your project.

EcoForm offers tailored Performance Solutions for BCA energy efficiency compliance, providing flexibility beyond standard star ratings.

A Performance Solution combines different compliance methods to meet or exceed minimum energy efficiency requirements without needing a 6-star label. This approach is ideal for complex designs—such as large homes, alterations and additions, elevated floors, or 'upside-down' living layouts—and can lead to lower construction costs.

Although the assessment takes more time and costs slightly more upfront, it can deliver significant savings during the building phase while ensuring compliance with the BCA.