New construction’s assumed energy demand can be compared to that of a reference building in terms of location and climate using the jv3 assessment approach. For a variety of reasons, your new design should incorporate a JV3 alternative assessment. When calculating a building’s energy efficiency, no two structures in our planet are the same. Energy consumption in one identical building may vary from that in a second identical building located far away, even though they both employ the same design, layout, and construction materials. The average annual energy usage might vary widely depending on things like the building’s location and the local climate.

Benefits of a JV3

• Gives designers more leeway
• Potentially enables the realisation of designs that would otherwise be impossible to realise in accordance with DtS constraints
• In place of the need for floor insulation and the glazing calculator.
• The end result is a structure that is more sensible and cheaper to build.
• Improved design features include better energy efficiency, more aesthetically pleasing details, and simplified construction

JV3 Building Classes

All Class 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 buildings are subject to JV3, although Class 2 and Class 4 structures are exempt. Services in a DtS solution are similar to those in a Performance solution in that they both use energy.

Due to the extensive evaluation required, the cost of achieving JV3 is typically higher than that of achieving DtS Section J compliance. This procedure entails comparing the proposed design to a DtS reference building while also accounting for the site’s specific climate and other environmental factors. The proposed building cannot use more energy than the DtS reference building does in a year. This stipulation allows for greater freedom of choice in the selection of building components so long as the total energy consumption of the structure does not go above the limit allowed by the code. With JV3, architects have more leeway in their selection of glazing and other building components so long as they don’t exceed the DTS building’s annual energy usage.

How is JV3 assessed?

This method takes into account the proposed building’s location and climate data and compares the design to a Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) reference building. The proposed building’s yearly energy consumption cannot be higher than that of the DtS building; this stipulation allows for greater freedom of design, since various building components may be selected so long as the total annual consumption of the structure does not go above the maximum. When compared to a DtS Section J report, the JV3 alternative evaluation allows for more leeway in the design of things like glazed elements (number, orientation, and quality), the building fabric (envelope, facades, floors, walls, and roof), and the arrangement of services (ac, lighting, and heating).

Verification method of JV3

Energy use in the planned building cannot exceed the annual energy use cap.

The annual energy consumption of the given building is evaluated in: Yearly MJ/m2 or yearly kWh/m2

The amount of energy used is compared to the theoretical annual energy use of a reference building. Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) compliance is assumed for the reference building.

For Nathers assessment click here.