This guideline outlines the peer review process which can be used as a compliance option for assessing the energy equivalence (thermal performance) of new houses and major renovations (where practical) in Queensland.

It is intended to assist clients, designers, council officers, building certifiers and other interested parties to understand the peer review process. The peer review process is a method available to assess the energy equivalence of house designs (a class 1 dwelling and its attached class 10a garage) in Queensland.

This process provides for an independent peer review of a ‘Performance Solution’ (previously referred to as an alternative solution) for the energy equivalence of a house design that may not readily comply with the typical ‘deemed-to-satisfy’ (DTS) solutions under the National Construction Code 2019 (NCC) i.e. either the more prescriptive elemental provisions or use of a house energy rating software tool.

This guideline provides details about the process for the ‘expert judgement’ performance solution of the NCC (see Figure 1). The ‘expert judgement’ will be made by a suitably qualified and recognised specialist, referred to in this guideline as the ‘expert’.

This document is accompanied by the Form 1 Peer Review Application For Energy Equivalence, Form 2 Peer Review Assessment Report For Energy Equivalence, and Contact List for Experts. (DOWNLOADS ABOVE)