F.A.Q's
Is my data secure?
Using AWS Could Security, Speckel secures your data via a network architected to protect your personal information, identities, applications, and devices is provided. Speckel Support can access your private project or design data upon written request. We choose not to share any data or resell data in any form. Backups are performed daily, so the risk of data loss is very low.
Can Speckel see my project Information?
Only if you want us to. In a support capacity, we may ask to access your project information to check a design or offer further support. In these cases, we obtain your verbal consent and can access your project. Otherwise, your project data is well, your project data! Read more about our Privacy Policy.
Does Speckel support all browsers?
Our primary testing is undertaken within Chromium-based browsers. The Chromium codebase is widely used. Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Samsung Internet, Opera, and many other browsers are based on the code. Firefox and Safari are generally less supported but unlikely to cause any major performance or general experience issues.
Will my internet connection impact the use of Speckel?
If you are accessing Speckel from a remote location with slow connection speeds or are connecting to your phone for Wi-Fi, you may experience a reduction in performance. This would be no different for any other website. Otherwise, our Sydney-based servers are fast, and secure and should ensure a great experience while working within your browser!
What does Speckel do with my data?
While Speckel is a big supporter of correct specification and has many suppliers on our platform, your data related to your projects and design remains with you. We review broad analytics from time to time, such as how many walls have steel framing vs timber or the average thickness of a wall, but this is always anonymised. We do not sell data to any entity or intend to do so. Read more about our Privacy Policy.
What is Passive House?
A Passive House (Passivhaus in German) is a building design and construction standard that focuses on energy efficiency, comfort, and minimal environmental impact. The Passive House concept was developed in the early 1990s by Dr. Wolfgang Feist and has since gained popularity around the world.
The main principles of Passive House design are:
High-quality insulation: A well-insulated building envelope with minimal thermal bridges helps maintain a comfortable indoor temperature with reduced energy consumption.
Airtight construction: Passive Houses are built to minimize air leakage, ensuring that the building envelope is airtight. This reduces heat loss and improves energy efficiency.
High-performance windows: Triple-glazed windows with insulated frames help minimize heat transfer and ensure that the interior remains comfortable.
Ventilation with heat recovery: A mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery (MVHR) is used to provide fresh air and maintain a healthy indoor environment. The system extracts heat from the outgoing stale air and transfers it to the incoming fresh air, which reduces the energy needed for heating.
Passive solar gain and shading: Building orientation, window placement, and shading devices are used to maximize solar heat gain in winter and minimize it in summer. This helps reduce the need for active heating and cooling systems.
Passive Houses typically consume up to 90% less heating and cooling energy than traditional buildings, resulting in significantly lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint. These buildings are known for providing exceptional indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and a quiet, healthy living environment.
What is the Enterprise plan?
Launching in February 2023, the Enterprise plan has been created with larger, multi-location teams (up to 20 seats) in mind. It's intended for those integrating Speckel across the entire business and needing greater project management visibility. For those wanting to know more, please Book a Demo or keep an eye out for the launch.
Are the Australian and New Zealand Speckel platforms the same?
The Australian and New Zealand platforms are entirely separate, offering similar apps but differing local building code requirements calculations. For our New Zealand-based customers, we will transfer your account from the Australian platform to the New Zealand platform in early February 2022.
What's in a Demo?
Anything you like, really. Demos are provided for 20 minutes and can be booked at a time and date that suits you. They are intended as an open forum for new customers to ask questions or get further guidance on using our platform.
Are inductions included within my paid subscription level?
Once at the paid subscription level (annual), one of the team will arrange for an introduction to run through some of the great features on the platform after you have signed up. For the Essentials Plan, a 1.5-hour induction is included. For the Practice Plan, a 3-hour induction is included. For those on the Enterprise Plan, the induction is subject to the size of the team and the regions in which the team operates.
Do you offer CPD points?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certificates are issued for all attendees when required. A question and answer session is run at the end of each workshop, requiring CPD to access specific learning outcomes.
How much does it cost to create a project on Speckel?
As of February 2023, we provide four access levels, Community, Essentials, Practice and Enterprise. The community is free to create projects with limited features. Essentials are for smaller teams (>3 seats) focused on residential projects (< 300 m²). Practice is for larger teams (5 seats) with a focus on residential and commercial projects (< 30,000 m²). Enterprise is for national or multinational teams with project management and large computing requirements.
How does the 14-day trial work?
When you sign-up to use Speckel, everyone gets full access to our Essentials Level for the first 14 days. No questions asked.
Do I need to download Speckel to use it?
Nope. We are 100% in the cloud. So no downloading, sharing licences, VPN hacks, upgrade management or software bugs that remain for years. You only need an internet connection and a Chrome-based web browser to run.
Do I have to commit to a 12-month period?
Absolutely not. When we state a month-by-month cost, we mean it —no ongoing commitments to periods that may not include active usage. If you are working on other activities or want to turn it off over the summer when you are more interested in what’s happening at the beach, no problems! That being said, 12-month commitments are rewarded with 20% savings, so once you are comfortable with Speckel, consider committing to a more cost-efficient solution.
Is Speckel free to use?
Yes. We encourage you to enjoy our platform using the dozens of free features for general use. We ask for your name and email address to register you as a user, but that’s about it. While you will get great value, upgrading to our paid plans will only offer certain features and capabilities.
What is the Community Level subscription, and is it right for me?
Everyone starts on the Essentials Level for 14 days, but some users might only need some bells and whistles. This is where the Community Level comes, which allows life cycle and thermal bridging assessments to be undertaken for free.
Can we share paid subscriptions across different offices?
100%. A paid subscription is not tethered to an office environment. It is tethered to a Team created in the cloud. So we don't care where the members of that Team are. You could have two of your Melbourne team members and three of your Brisbane team on one Practice Level subscription.
Where and when do I pay for projects?
Payments are all made on the Speckel platform. Once you are signed in, you can upgrade to a paid plan.
How many people can be included in the Speckel Practice Level?
If you sign-up for the Practice Level, you can add up to 5 people to the Team, so everyone within the Team gets all the features on Speckel. If you need more, you might want to consider our Enterprise plan.
Is Speckel free for students?
Yes. 100% free. Sign up with your student account, and we will cover the rest.
Do I need to attend a Speckel Workshop to provide JV3 modelling as a service?
Subject to experience, but typically yes. Speckel Workshops focus on building knowledge and competence in the design and specification of buildings. Suppose you are already an experienced building simulation practitioner (+ 5 years). In that case, you should be able to use our Building Assessment App with enough confidence to produce JV3 outputs. The question then turns to, "How do I know it's correct?". This is where the workshops kick in.
Do Speckel Workshops provide certification for JV3 modelling?
Speckel Workshops focus on building knowledge and competence in building design and specification of buildings. Our workshops are not a formal recognition of knowledge delivered by a third party but aim to allow you to use our software confidently and accurately.
How are the Speckel Workshops delivered?
Speckel Workshops are typically online and delivered via Teams. We always take the opportunity to record the workshops, so attendees can revisit content after.
Are Speckel Workshops death by PowerPoint?
Never. All our workshops are dynamic, presented by one of the Speckel co-founders and delivered to enhance your knowledge of what is under the hood and its outputs. We use your project information to deliver the structure of the workshop, so it is immediately relevant and can be used for your next project.
How many people can attend a Speckel Workshop?
Simply put, as many as you like from within your company. Remember, more attendees often mean more questions, which can impact the workshop's outcome, and all material may not be covered.
What is a Speckel Workshop?
Speckel workshops are tailor-made workshops for teams. You could be an engineering company looking to learn more about using Speckel apps in your business or an architectural company building internal capacity. All workshops run for a maximum of 1.5 hours and are delivered online. If you are in Melbourne, we will provide small workshops in our office for at least 4 hours and at an hourly rate.
What are the Speckel supplier-side service options?
Through confidential discussions with building envelope suppliers, Speckel has created three opportunities for suppliers to promote products on the Speckel platform. Our Standard service offering enables suppliers to add products to the Speckel database and is the easiest way to engage our users. The process is quick, and the supplier provides the following:
1. Product description
2. Product technical or marketing material
3. Product technical information, tested to code requirements.
Once Speckel has completed a review of step three, products are published to Speckel.
Is Speckel a vendor-neutral service?
100%. While we support and work with trusted suppliers with proven product testing, we do not show any bias towards one supplier or product over another. We take out data integrity seriously. If you find a product you believe should not be on Speckel, please get in touch!
Why are some suppliers not on Speckel?
We encourage suppliers to add products to the Speckel database through a review process that audits specific information required by our calculations. There will always be suppliers not on Speckel as a small cost is associated with the platform, or they do not want to share data. However, some suppliers have also been unable to complete the auditing process and have either not made it to the platform or have been removed. We take out data integrity seriously. If you find a product you believe should not be on Speckel, please get in touch!
Can I control my billing account information?
Absolutely. Once at the paid plan level, you can view your billing history and invoicing and change your contact details. You can also update your payment methods and cancel anytime in Teams.
How do I cancel my monthly subscription?
You can cancel your subscription anytime by jumping into your Team on the Speckel platform.
Can I freeze or put my account on hold?
Absolutely. You can put your account on hold when projects go on hold, the summer construction break kicks in, or you don't need to use Speckel apps. We don't delete your Project data, so you can return to it when needed. To put your account on hold, jump into your billing area (under your Team) and click cancel. At this point, no payment will be taken from your account in the next monthly payment, and you will retain access on the Community level. To gain access to your Projects again and the Practice Level, you upgrade to the Practice Level in your Team.
Monthly billing on Speckel
We count a month as 30 days. So when committing to paying for a month, you get precisely that… 30 days of usage for that billing period. Suppose you decide to deactivate your billing after 10 days. You will continue on the paid plan for another 20 days before returning to our Community Level. Don’t worry… all project information continues to be retained. All you need to do is grab another 30 days at the paid plan level to continue working on your Projects when they are active again. This approach lets you control the billing and enables savings across the year!
Can I use the Building app reporting to meet H1 Energy Efficiency requirements?
100%. Users use all our apps to illustrate H1 Energy Efficiency requirements daily. Simply publish our reports and send them to your design team or building surveyor. Job done!
Can Speckel be used to meet Built Environment Score Card (BESS) requirements?
As of January 2022, Speckel can meet daylight modelling requirements for the Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS). 1.1 - Daylight Access - Living Areas, 1.2 - Daylight Access – Bedrooms. 1.3, and Daylight Access - Non-Residential. 1.5. These are undertaken in the Building Assessment app. Further features, including daylight autonomy, are currently in development.
Can I undertake daylight modelling using Speckel?
Yes, you can. Speckel is now running Radiance, the globally preferred simulation engine for solar control, lighting, and daylighting design. As such, you can now run daylight modelling assessments using daylight factors. This is perfect to meet the requirements of the National Construction Code or Built Environment Scope Card (BESS).
Can I report results from the Floor Systems App?
For those needing no-nonsense reporting, all Essentials level users (and above) can access 1-click, customisable reporting to send off to the wider design team or building surveyor.
Floor System App tutorials?
We have you covered. Jump onto The Guide and search for Floor System app tutorials and other related subjects.
What is a Floor System?
We use the term roof system to define all materials and control layers from the exterior to the floor's interior. By defining the properties of these elements, we can automatically run performance calculations, so all you need to do is specify.
What can I use the Floor System App for?
Our Floor System App has multiple applications, including thermal bridging, r-value calculations, lifecycle assessments, etc. Without prior knowledge, the Floor System App allows anyone to build and specify a floor system in seconds and verify the design with your team via or with our detailed yet customisable reporting.
Can I report results from the Glazing Systems App?
For those needing no-nonsense reporting, all Practice level users (and above) can access 1-click, customisable reporting to send off to the wider design team or building surveyor.
Glazing System App tutorials?
We have you covered. Jump onto The Guide and search for Glazing System app tutorials and other related subjects.
What is the impact of subframes?
Subframes are the supporting elements at the head and sill of a glazing system. As a component of the glazing system, the framing typically has high thermal losses. Thus sub sills must be assessed within the NCC 2019 – Vol 1 as per Schedule 3 – Definitions for Glazing and Total System U-Value requirements. The Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) do not include subframes and has other embedded modelling principles that fail to accurately represent glazing systems.
Is Speckel similar to WERS?
Our Glazing Systems App is a more advanced approach to glazing systems assessments.
The Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) provides a rating system for assessing glazing performance and states to be compliant with the NCC 2019 – Vol 1. To date, the commercial glazing industry has not traditionally used WERS values when considering the overall performance of glazing systems, as the market has identified multiple reasons that justify commercial glazing not adopting WERS values.
As the WERS rating system only aims to compare one glazing system at a specific size against another, it does not provide the performance values required for optimising a building envelope where calculation accuracy is required. In addition, WERS values typically exclude subframe thermal losses while its supporting AFRC methodology is not a recognised Standard. As such, published WERS data typically ignore subframe thermal losses, while suppliers are unlikely to include them as they create a lower performance value and an unfair comparison.
Total U-value calculations and NCC 2019?
To calculate glazing system performance values, the primary requirement within the NCC 2019 – Vol 1 is to meet the definitions within Schedule 3 through a recognised repeatable calculation methodology and provide evidence to support compliance with a relevant ABCB protocol. There is no ABCB protocol for this subject matter or stated Standard within the NCC 2019 – Vol 1.
What is a Total U-value calculation?
Our Glazing Systems app undertakes vision area System U-values and SHGC calculations in line with ISO 15099: 2003 - Thermal performance of windows, doors and shading devices — Detailed calculations.
The procedures within ISO 15099: 2003 give the actual thermal performance of fenestration products for use in building energy analysis and for evaluating products in specific building applications. These procedures are used to produce data to compare products by using standardised NFRC 100 boundary conditions. This International Standard is also intended as a reference document for describing models used in computer programs for a detailed calculation of the thermal and optical transmission properties of window and door systems.
What is a Glazing System?
We use the term glazing system to define all materials and control layers from the exterior to the interior of a glazing line. By defining the properties of these elements, we can automatically run performance calculations, so all you need to do is specify.
For those interested in Standards and specifics, our Glazing Systems App undertakes vision area System U-values and SHGC calculations in line with ISO 15099: 2003 - Thermal performance of windows, doors and shading devices — Detailed calculations.
What can I use the Glazing System App for?
Our Glazing Systems App has multiple applications, including system u-value calculations for vision and spandrel systems.
With no need for prior knowledge, the Glazing Systems App allows anyone to build and specify a wall system in seconds and verify the design with your team via or with our detailed yet customisable reporting.
Can I report results from the Roof Systems App?
For those needing no-nonsense reporting, all Practice level users (and above) can access 1-click, customisable reporting to send off to the wider design team or building surveyor.
Roof System App tutorials?
We have you covered. Simply jump onto The Guide and search for Roof System app tutorials and other related subjects.
What are the impacts of thermal bridging?
Thermal bridging describes a design or construction detail with a direct connection between the inside and outside through one or more elements that are more thermally conductive than the rest of the building envelope.
The heat transfer rate depends on the material's thermal conductivity and the temperature difference on either side of the thermal bridge. When a temperature difference is present, heat flow will follow the path of least resistance through the material with the highest thermal conductivity and lowest thermal resistance, creating the thermal bridge.
What is a thermal bridge?
External walls are often structurally supported by timber or steel partitions. Such partitions typically run through the thermal control layer and represent (the combination of frame plates and noggins) between 10 – 15% of the overall area of a standard full-height wall. These are known as construction thermal bridges.
As a result of this thermal bridging effect, they increase the overall thermal transmittance of the wall and need to be considered. Steel wall frames, with high thermal conductivity, are particularly poor-performing and may need to consider non-combustible thermal breaks to ensure a continuity of the thermal control layer.
Total R-value calculations and NZS 4214:2006?
Our Roof Systems app undertakes thermal resistance calculations in line with J 1.5 - Total System R-value for walls, roofs and floors based on AS/NZ 4859.2and NZS 4214:2006: 2006.
As there are two references within NCC 2019, a primary (AS/NZS 4859.2:2018) and a secondary (NZS 4214:2006: 2006:2006) reference, Speckel must undertake both as appropriate.
What is a Total R-value calculation?
A Total R-value calculation for roof systems involves the thermal performance of roof material and thermal bridges such as timber or steel framing. For more information, click here.
Our Roof System App takes the complexity out of this calculation to provide you with a simple and flexible R-value app that generates results in a matter of seconds.
What is a Roof System on Speckel?
We use the term roof system to define all materials and control layers from the exterior to the interior of a wall. By defining the properties of these elements, we can automatically run performance calculations, so all you need to do is specify.
What can I use the Roof System App for?
Our Roof System App has multiple applications, including thermal bridging, r-value calculations, lifecycle assessments, etc.
With no need for prior knowledge, the Roof Systems App allows anyone to build and specify a roof system in seconds and verify the design with your team via or with our detailed yet customisable reporting.
Can I customise my reports?
When using our apps, we allow Themes to be applied to reports so you can align your company branding with an output from Speckel. Reports are not available on the Community Level.
Creating Themes and applying them is a premium feature for Essentials. Practise and Enterprise Level users only. If you are a Community Level user, you can still have a play, but you will not be able to apply the Theme. Navigate to the Teams admin area to begin creating your Theme.
Can I use concept building envelope specifications in the Building Assessment App?
Sure. We allow you to pick some performance values related to the building envelope component, or you can bring in pre-built components from our other apps. Both options are super simple.
Are any tutorials available for the Building Assessment App?
Our Guide area is our home for all things support based, free and open to all. The easiest way to find tutorials is to use the search function. Jump on and search for 'Building App', and you can get going.
Is the Building App similar to the ABCB Facade tool?
The building app uses the methodologies outlined in Specification J1.5a Calculation of U-Value and solar admittance. The only difference between the ABCB Façade calculator and the building app is that we take a more detailed approach to the design process, allowing real, verified specifications to be used instead of simply putting numbers into a spreadsheet.
Can I use the Building app reporting to meet National Construction Code requirements
100%. Users use all our apps to illustrate National Construction Code requirements daily. Publish our reports and send them to your design team or building surveyor. Job done!
What can I use the Thermal Comfort App for?
Our building app is currently focused on National Construction Code requirements. With no need for prior knowledge or calculation insights, the Building app allows anyone to build and specify a building rapidly. Once achieved, you can verify the design with your team via or publish detailed, customisable reports.
Can I undertake VURB modelling on Speckel for NCC 2019 Energy Efficiency requirements?
VURB represents an alternative approach to National Construction Code compliance than the typically adopted NatHERS rating system. It is often adopted where flexibility is being sought for building envelope compliance.
While we have sought confirmation and built a prototype for the Energy Efficiency requirements for Vol 2 of the National Construction Code, we have yet to implement it. As a result of apparent conflicts and unintended outcomes embedded within the VURB modelling process, we do not support its application in energy-efficient design. Still, we are always looking to change our view if better results can be sought.
Does Speckel meet Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) requirements for daylight modelling?
Yes, Speckel uses the open-source lighting engine, Radiance (version 5.2) for our Daylight Factor simulations. Customers can use our Building Assessment App to assess 1.1 - Daylight Access - Living Areas, 1.2 - Daylight Access – Bedrooms, and 1.4 - Daylight Access - Non-Residential.
Does Speckel meet and undertake the new New Zealand H1 Energy Efficiency requirements?
Yes. Launching in February 2022, Speckel will be available to assess Acceptable Solutions H1/AS1 + H1/AS2 and Verification Method H1/VM1 + H1/VM2 in our Building Assessment Apps.
Does the Building Assessment App automate the National Construction Code DTS provisions?
100%. We have automated the process to improve productivity and the headache of creating a DTS reference building when undertaking JV3 assessments. So when designing in the Building Assessment App, the DTS reference building is created via the same geometry you would need to define for the proposed building.
What Is a Project on Speckel?
A project is a unique building type and location on Speckel. Once created, a project location and building type can be updated. However, the building code that a project is initially created against cannot be changed.
Can Speckel see my project Information?
Only if you want us to. In a support capacity, we may ask to access your project information to check a design or offer further support. In these cases, we obtain your verbal consent and can access your project. Otherwise, your project data is well, your project data! Read more about our Privacy Policy.
Where are Speckel's Terms and Conditions?
You can find out the terms and conditions outlined here.
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