Offices · measured energy · stars
NABERS UK software: rated on what the meters say
NABERS UK rates offices on the energy they actually use, so the software behind it is mostly about meter data.
It is a small, specialist category: most tools are building energy platforms with a NABERS module.
The scheme is explained on the NABERS UK guide.
The scheme
What does NABERS UK software need to support?
NABERS UK rates the measured, in-use energy performance of UK offices on a 1 to 6 star scale, and launched on 26 November 2020 (NABERS).
Its Design for Performance route lets a developer commit to a target of at least 4 stars for a new office or major refurbishment.
Software for the first job needs a full year of metered energy; for the second it needs design-stage modelling and then the in-use meter data to prove it.
The data
Which data should NABERS software hold?
Base building energy, tenancy energy and the building’s area and hours all feed the rating, so the tool must separate landlord and tenant meters.
Ask the vendor how it handles a missing month, a meter change or a change of tenant, because each can break a rating year.
For wider building energy work see energy management software and real estate carbon accounting software.
Investors
How do NABERS ratings feed GRESB and investor reporting?
In the 2026 GRESB Real Estate Assessment, operational certifications and energy ratings score on floor-area coverage, not on level (GRESB).
So portfolio software should track which assets hold a current rating and the floor area each covers.
See GRESB software and BREEAM software.
The demonstration
What should you test before buying?
Bring twelve months of meter data for one office.
Software demo · evidence check
NABERS demo coverage
Tick a test only when the vendor has demonstrated it with a representative record and shown the evidence or export.
0 of 5 tests demonstrated (0%). This is a checklist result, not a score for the vendor.
Still to test: Split base building and tenancy energy correctly; Flag missing or estimated meter periods; Track performance against a target star rating; Record the floor area each rating covers for GRESB; Export the meter data in a form an assessor can review.
Frequently asked
NABERS UK software, answered
What is NABERS UK software?
Software that collects the metered energy data an office needs for a NABERS UK rating and tracks performance against the target star rating through the year.
What does NABERS UK rate?
The measured, in-use energy performance of UK offices on a 1 to 6 star scale, plus a Design for Performance route for new offices and major refurbishments targeting at least 4 stars.
Is NABERS UK mandatory?
No. It is a voluntary rating.
Energy performance certificates under the MEES rules are a separate legal regime.
Does a NABERS rating count in GRESB?
GRESB scores operational certifications and energy ratings on floor-area coverage in its building certifications indicator.
Sources
Primary sources
Every figure, date and status on this page traces to the instrument’s owner.
Secondary commentary is never the source for a number.
- NABERSNABERS UK
- NABERSCIBSE appointed NABERS UK scheme administrator
- GRESB2026 Real Estate Assessment: operational building certifications
- GRESB2026 Real Estate Assessment: design and construction certifications
- IFRS FoundationIndustry-based guidance (Real Estate)
- LegislationEnergy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) Regulations 2015
- DESNZGreenhouse gas conversion factors 2026
- BREBREEAM standards
- Environment AgencyHow to comply with ESOS Phase 4
- ISOISO 50001:2018