NABERS upgrade with zero capex

Precise Air’s Building Performance Optimisation (BPO) team was engaged to review and enhance the performance of 1 Smith Street, Parramatta. At the time, the building was not maintained under a Precise Air contract, giving the team an opportunity to demonstrate the value of its optimisation expertise independently of the incumbent mechanical services arrangement. The engagement focused on identifying practical, low-cost operational improvements that could deliver measurable benefits without disrupting day-to-day building operations.

The challenge

The central question was whether Precise Air could materially improve a building that was already performing at a high level and remained under contract to another mechanical services provider. Success would depend on uncovering optimisation opportunities that conventional maintenance routines could overlook, while working collaboratively within the building’s existing operational and service-provider framework.

Success criteria

The Facility Manager established three clear requirements for the project:

• deliver significant and demonstrable energy savings;

• improve overall building performance and occupant comfort; and

• achieve these outcomes with no capital expenditure.

A different approach to optimisation

Precise Air’s approach is built around understanding how a building actually operates before recommending change. Rather than defaulting to equipment replacement or major upgrades, the BPO team analyses plant behaviour, controls and operating patterns to identify opportunities for better performance through targeted adjustments.

Collaborative delivery

The team invested time in learning the building, understanding its operational requirements and progressively fine-tuning its systems. Working closely with the building management team and BMS provider, Precise Air focused on optimising existing assets and controls while avoiding unnecessary and costly upgrades. This collaborative, evidence-led process enabled improvements to be introduced carefully and assessed against the Facility Manager’s performance objectives.

Measured results:

20% less electricity and 30% less gas.

Project outcome

The optimisation program achieved a NABERS 5 Star Energy rating and delivered substantial year-on-year reductions for the equivalent period: electricity consumption fell by 20% and gas consumption by 30%. These results were achieved with zero capital expenditure and without the use of GreenPower, demonstrating the impact of disciplined operational optimisation. The project also strengthened the client’s confidence in Precise Air’s capabilities, leading to the company subsequently being awarded the site’s maintenance contract.