Energy for Offices
An existing office rated on measured energy: Base Building, Tenancy or Whole Building.
1 to 6 stars.Buildings · energy rating
NABERS UK
NABERS UK rates how much energy an office actually uses, from 1 to 6 stars.
It is owned by the NABERS programme of the New South Wales Government and run in the UK by CIBSE, which replaced BRE on 3 April 2024.
It is voluntary, and it rates offices only.
How it works
How does NABERS UK rate an office?
On measured energy over a year, as Base Building, Tenancy or Whole Building, from 1 to 6 stars.
A NABERS rating measures the building in use, while BREEAM and an EPC rate the design (NABERS).
NABERS UK currently rates offices only (CIBSE Certification).
A NABERS UK rating
Design for Performance
A new office or major refurbishment commits to a target of at least 4 stars.
Rated after 12 months of operation.One office
What does Design for Performance mean for one new office?
A target of at least 4 stars agreed in design, tested against a full year of measured energy.
The office is an illustration; the rules are CIBSE Certification’s.
A building rated below its target shows the gap between design and use that NABERS exists to expose.
- 1
Agree the target
The developer signs an agreement for 4.0 stars or more (CIBSE).
- 2
Design to it
The agreement runs through design and construction.
- 3
Operate for 12 months
The building is occupied and metered.
- 4
Get the rating
A NABERS Energy rating on the measured energy closes the agreement.
Your building
Which NABERS UK rating fits your building?
Choose the building and its stage; for a target, enter the stars.
The check applies the scheme’s published scope and its 4-star Design for Performance minimum.
NABERS UK · which rating, and is the target high enough?
Choose the building and its stage.
Rules: NABERS, NABERS UK; CIBSE Certification, About NABERS UK and Design for Performance fact sheet.
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Where it counts
Where does a NABERS UK rating count?
In GRESB as an energy rating; no UK law asks for it.
Whether NABERS UK counts as “substantially equivalent” for the IFRS S2 metric is the preparer’s judgement; the guidance does not name it.
The building certifications it is often confused with are BREEAM certification and LEED certification.
Where it countsExplore
Where it counts
GRESB
NABERS UK is a recognised energy rating for BC2, worth up to 2 points.
Where it counts
IFRS S2 real estate
IF-RE-130a.4 names NABERS (Australia) and NABERSNZ; NABERS UK only if “substantially equivalent”.
Order of work
Where should an office owner start?
Decide between rating an existing office and committing a new one to a target.
For a real-asset fund, the rating feeds the GRESB assessment.
- 1
Pick the product
Energy for Offices for a building in use; Design for Performance for a new one.
- 2
Pick the rating type
Base Building, Tenancy or Whole Building.
- 3
Collect a year of energy data
The rating is on measured use.
- 4
Apply through CIBSE Certification
The UK administrator since April 2024.
NABERS UK judges an office by the energy it actually uses, which is the one number a design certificate cannot promise.
- 1–6 stars
NABERS UK rates the measured energy of offices
Not their design. - 3 April 2024
CIBSE, not BRE, runs the scheme in the UK
BRE ran it from 2020 to 2024. - 4 stars
Design for Performance targets start at 4 stars
Checked after 12 months in use. - No UK duty
NABERS UK is voluntary
GRESB counts it as an energy rating.
Frequently asked
What else do people ask about NABERS UK?
What is NABERS UK?
NABERS UK rates the measured, in-use energy performance of UK offices on a scale of 1 to 6 stars.
It is owned by the NABERS programme, run by the New South Wales Government, and administered in the UK by CIBSE.
Who runs NABERS UK?
CIBSE, through CIBSE Certification, since April 2024, when it replaced BRE as the UK scheme administrator.
A steering committee of CIBSE, the Better Buildings Partnership and NABERS oversees it.
What is Design for Performance?
A route for a new office or major refurbishment: the developer commits to a target NABERS Energy rating of at least 4 stars, and the building is rated on its measured energy after 12 months of operation.
Is NABERS UK mandatory?
No. No UK instrument requiring it was found; it is voluntary.
Does NABERS UK rate homes or shops?
No. In the UK it rates offices only, as Base Building, Tenancy or Whole Building ratings.
Sources
Where does each figure come from?
Every figure, date and status on this page traces to the instrument’s owner.
Secondary commentary is never the source for a number.
Checked against 11 sources fromNABERS (NSW Government)CIBSE CertificationCIBSEGRESBIFRS FoundationBRE
- NABERS (NSW Government)NABERS UK
CIBSE administers the scheme; Design for Performance and Energy for Offices; offices only.
- NABERS (NSW Government)CIBSE appointed as new NABERS UK scheme administrator (3 April 2024)
CIBSE takes over from BRE.
- NABERS (NSW Government)NABERS launches in the UK (26 November 2020)
Measured operational energy of offices, 1–6 stars.
- CIBSE CertificationAbout NABERS UK
Base Building, Tenancy and Whole Building ratings; offices only.
- CIBSE CertificationNABERS UK Design for Performance fact sheet
Target of 4.0 stars or above, rated after 12 months of operation.
- CIBSENABERS UK partners with CIBSE as new UK scheme administrator
CIBSE’s announcement of the change.
- GRESB2026 Real Estate Assessment: BC2 energy ratings
Energy ratings worth up to 2 points.
- GRESB2026 Real Estate Assessment: scheme lists
NABERS UK recognised as an energy rating.
- IFRS FoundationExposure Draft IFRS S2, Volume B36 Real Estate, IF-RE-130a.4
Names NABERS for Australia and NABERSNZ, plus “substantially equivalent” schemes.
- BREHow does BREEAM work?
A design-and-construction certification, unlike NABERS.
- US Green Building CouncilAbout LEED
Points-based certification levels.