The View From Australia
Peter Lyons is a building physicist based in Canberra, Australia. Dr Lyons specializes in energy performance modeling of all types of fenestration systems and of whole buildings, both residential and commercial. One of his continuing research interests involves the impact of glazings on human comfort in buildings.
Dr. Lyons was a visiting researcher from 1998 to 1999 at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at the University of California, where he applied research into the energy modeling and rating of windows and skylights. Dr. Lyons continues that work today. He has published 35 research papers and reports throughout his career. In January of this year he formed Peter Lyons & Associates to offer a wide variety of specialized services involving building energy performance.
Update talked with Peter to find out what’s going on Down Under and how it relates to NFRC’s activities.
Are there any new developments with Australia’s Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS)?
Yes, WERS is undergoing major changes because of the current shift to the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) in Australia. Australia’s Federal government and our fenestration industry have committed to full compliance with NFRC technical procedures and this process is almost complete. Simultaneously, a policy and administrative structure will be finalized before year’s end.
WERS, which is run by the Australian Window Association, Inc., uses NFRC procedures and includes an annual energy rating with ‘star ratings’ on a 0–5 scale on its labels. The algorithms behind the WERS star ratings are about to be upgraded as part of a major revision to the scheme.
What are the key differences between WERS and NFRC’s rating mechanism?
Australia has always used WINDOW, THERM and OPTICS, but significant other differences have existed between the two countries for a decade. For example, product model sizes and environmental conditions have been different until now.
“We are following the progress with Component Modeling Approach (CMA) very closely. The Australian Glass & Glazing Association has many members in the non-residential marketplace and is eager to apply CMA-based ratings as soon as approved tools become available.”
Peter Lyons
How would you describe the major challenges facing you in Australia right now?
There are two big challenges facing us right now. The first is to update ‘legacy’ WERS ratings to full NFRC compliance and to ensure a smooth flow of newly certified data to satisfy the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA). Somewhat like California and other U.S. states, the BCA requires NFRC-compliant, whole-product ratings for U-factor and SHGC.
The second challenge we face is our need to service Home Energy Rating software with data files created from WINDOW 5 reports. This is something that goes a step beyond the service provided by NFRC. The Australian Greenhouse Office, the equivalent of the U.S. Department of Energy, has funded the development of the energy provisions of the BCA and also AccuRate, a new whole-house energy simulation tool underpinning residential house energy rating in Australia.
How is Australia handling the rating and labeling of newer products entering the marketplace (e.g. window films, dynamic glazings)?
Window films have been big in Australia for years and there is probably more demand for applied film ratings than in the United States. Australia is using NFRC 100/200/300/301 as the basis for its film ratings. We would very much like to see Optics 5 approved for applied films as well as laminates but, like the U.S., in the meantime we are reliant on lab data for films on substrates.
Dynamic glazings are now appearing on the Australian market and we expect to use the dynamic glazing label methodology as part of our NFRC implementation.
Does Australia have a non-residential ratings program?
Until now, Australia has not had a non-residential ratings program. We are following the progress with Component Modeling Approach (CMA) very closely and I am a member of the CMA Road-Mapping Task Group. The Australian Glass & Glazing Association (AGGA) has many members in the non-residential marketplace and is eager to apply CMA-based ratings as soon as approved tools become available.
Have you participated in any recent fenestration events worldwide as of late?
I am a member of the ISO TC163 Working Group 11, Energy Rating of Fenestration Systems, which is currently working on a new international standard for Annual Energy Performance. My last overseas fenestration event was NFRC’s Minneapolis meeting, and I expect to see you all in Virginia in November!
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NFRC Update | October 2006