6 Star Energy Rating with Downlights

6 Star Energy Rating with Downlights (Recessed Lighting)

Nathers requirements for Energy Star ratings and recessed lighting are summarized below, based on Nathers Documentation Technical Note 2, Version 1.0, 2012.

Downlight Covers

Approved to AS/NZS 5110:2012, non-ventilated covers enable the insulation to be firmly installed around the LED luminaire, allowing for an R-value above the light via the material of the downlight cover itself. No ceiling penetration allowance needs to be made.

The use of downlight covers must be noted on the electrical plan; otherwise, insulation installers will assume the default values of insulation clearances apply. Where downlight covers have been allowed for in the rating, assessors cannot certify plans that do not explicitly show the use of approved downlight covers.

Further information on approved fireproof downlight covers can be obtained from your electrical wholesaler, supplier, or directly from Efficiency Matrix.

Air Infiltration through Downlights

Unless otherwise noted on the electrical plan, all downlights will be considered to be ventilated. However, this does not apply to downlights fitted with approved non-ventilated covers that allow for the ceiling insulation to tightly enclose the sides and top. This must be noted on the electrical plan; otherwise, the default values will apply.

Guidance for calculating ceiling penetrations

	Area weighted average R-value
Impact on R-value with 450x450mm clearance around recessed lighting.	Initial Ceiling R-value
Downlights per 10m2	1.5	2.0	2.5	3.0	3.5	4.0	4.5	5.0
1	1.25	1.58	1.88	2.16	2.42	2.65	2.86	3.06
2	1.06	1.3	1.5	1.67	1.83	1.96	2.08	2.18
3	.92	1.09	1.24	1.36	1.46	1.54	1.61	1.68
4	.80	.94	1.05	1.13	1.20	1.26	1.31	1.35
5	.71	.82	.90	.96	1.02	1.06	1.09	1.12