NABERSNZ Energy for Retail Stores

NABERSNZ Energy for Retail Stores quantify your site’s energy performance.

We give retail stores a rating from one to six stars, based on energy efficiency. There are different benchmarks for different types of retail stores – an electronics store with more energy consumption will only be compared the electronics store benchmark. Working with the NABERSNZ Assessor, the NABERSNZ rating can then be used to identify areas for future cost savings and building energy efficiency improvements in your store, as well as to promote your retail store’s environmental credentials.  

Retail tenancies, like stores within a shopping centre or a strip mall, can be rated as well as standalone retail, like big box retail stores.

Why rate to NABERSNZ?

NABERSNZ creates value for anyone who designs, manages, lets or tenants a building.

Owners: A building with a high NABERSNZ rating has the potential to attract high value tenants who may pay a premium for an energy efficient building – research by JLL in New Zealand shows NABERSNZ buildings command almost 10% premium in sales prices and a 6.7% rental premium when a building has a high NABERSNZ rating (6 star).
Tenants: Energy efficient buildings can reduce operating costs so tenants may look for a high NABERSNZ rating as a requirement. For example, NZ Government tenancies over a certain threshold have to have a 4 star NABERSNZ rating.
Property managers: A NABERSNZ rating gives you an independent basis for proving to your clients that you are managing their interests well. Alternatively, a NABERSNZ rating can help build a business case for improvements to a building.
Designers: Designers may use NABERSNZ rating as a guide for energy efficient design or even be required by a client to attempt to reach a particular NABERSNZ rating.

In Australia, NABERS is mandatory for commercial office space of 1000m2 or more which is offered for sale or lease.

From 2021 the New Zealand government has required all government offices above 2,000m² have a base build rating by December 2025. A tenancy rating is also required when a building is at or above 5,000m². Agencies entering a new lease, or renewing an existing lease should achieve a minimum of four stars, while government agencies planning a new build project need to achieve a minimum rating of five stars.

Achieve recognition

Your rating will allow your retail store to showcase its commitment to sustainability by measuring and monitoring energy consumption. This rating is a way to demonstrate your commitment to a better tomorrow for your customers, staff and wider community.

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Improve performance

Having a way to measure your operational performance is the first step toward effectively managing your consumption and decreasing emissions. Understanding how your retail store is performing is key to initiating positive change and reducing operational costs.

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Compare your store

Getting NABERSNZ ratings enables you to track the retail store’s consumption year upon year and gain insights into how it compares in relation to other retail stores in New Zealand. NABERSNZ ratings have also been a part of sustainable finance transactions with banks, with incentives that allow financing to go further.

How do I get a NABERSNZ rating?

A NABERSNZ rating generally takes six to eight weeks from start to finish. The best way to ensure a timely rating is to keep good records and have all the appropriate data on hand.

Generally a rating application will progress through the following process:

The client engages an Assessor to carry out a NABERSNZ rating. Only NABERSNZ Accredited Assessors trained in the appropriate tool can do ratings.
The Assessor compiles data, including a site visit to the building for verification, and inputs data to build a rating.
The Assessor submits the rating for client authorisation.
The client reviews and decides whether to proceed with the rating.
NZGBC invoices for the certification fee required for the rating. [link to NABERSNZ fees page]
NZGBC audits, and certifies the rating.
The client is notified of certification and receives an electronic rating certificate and rating report.

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