To meet the Performance Requirements of Section J, the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions and Performance Solutions via the Verification Pathways JV1: NABERS Energy for Offices, JV2: Green Star or JV3: Verification using a reference building are difficult to compare directly as to whether one is more onerous than the other.
Within the NCC 2016 – Vol 1, it has been easier to conclude that Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions were collectively more onerous than a Performance Solution. For example, a Performance Solution via a Verification Pathway such as JV3 would quickly tell you that a Deemed-to-Satisfy Provision would limit the allowable area for Glazing. When using a Performance Solution on the same design, this allowable area would increase and typically result in more design flexibility but reduced energy efficiency.
However, this is not necessarily the case in the NCC 2019 - Vol 1 for Energy Efficiency for highly glazed buildings as the area of glazing is significantly more influential and can result in very high-performance requirements in some climates and building types. It is also true, however, that NCC 2019 – Vol 1 is very flexible for low glazed buildings.