H1 Building Code updates

In November 2021, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) released the biggest energy efficiency changes to the Building Code acceptable solutions and verification methods in more than a decade.

The H1 changes are the first step in reducing operational emissions from buildings, and aim to go as far as is achievable today, as we move towards introducing carbon emissions caps in the future. The changes to roof, window, and underfloor insulation requirements in the acceptable solutions and verification methods for new builds will have positive health impacts for New Zealanders and will lead to significant energy savings. These new Building Code requirements for new building work will allow people to heat their homes more easily and efficiently, making them more comfortable and healthier to live in. The updates aim to reduce energy needed to heat new homes by up to 40 per cent, and aim to reduce the energy needed to heat and cool larger commercial buildings by 23 per cent on average. There is a high level of public interest in improving energy efficiency. The consultation on the insulation H1 changes last year received more submissions than the last five years of updates combined, with over 98 per cent of responses supporting increases over the status quo in the shortest time possible. MBIE sought feedback as part of this process to ensure any changes would be readily achievable across the country.

MBIE is committed to working alongside the building and construction sector to ensure successful implementation of these important changes and will continue work with the sector to determine what further support is required. There is no doubt that the sector continues to face material shortages and price increases as a result of the pandemic, global shipping constraints, high commodity prices, and record demand for new houses.

However, achieving net zero 2050 is a long-term challenge that requires bold vision, commitment and perseverance and any changes we can make to reduce the climate impact of houses will have a lasting effect for future generations.

About the H1 changes: • Six new climate zones are being established to reflect the specific weather experienced in different parts of

New Zealand. Each zone has specific minimum insulation requirements, meaning homes will need to be designed and built for the climate they’re located in. • Minimum requirements for roof insulation levels are doubling across the country. This is because roof insulation is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to boost thermal performance. • Windows represent the largest source of heat loss in homes. The minimum insulation levels for windows are being increased across the country, with a focus on higher upgrades in those colder climate zones.

For underfloor insulation, higher floor insulation levels will be required generally, but further time has been allowed for slab-on-ground construction practices to change. • A new verification method for the energy efficiency of HVAC systems has been introduced to simplify the process for demonstrating compliance with the Building

Code. Creating this pathway will allow building owners to better monitor the performance of their HVAC system and know that the system is using energy optimally. • Suitable daylight solutions for buildings over three stories have been developed. New acceptable solutions and verification methods will ensure homes and buildings have sufficient amounts of daylight for the people who occupy them as outlined in the Building Code. • A test method for Verification Method E2/VM2 that can be used to demonstrate that cladding systems are sufficiently weathertight has been revised. The new version does not significantly change the minimum performance requirements and existing tested cladding systems will not need to be retested.

For more information on these changes to the Building Code, please visit www.building.govt.nz/ building-code-compliance/annual-building-codeupdates/2021-building-code-update/

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Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. MBIE is the over-arching regulator of New Zealand’s building system. Our Building System Performance (BSP) branch provides policy and technical advice on New Zealand’s building system, rules and standards, and implements building legislation and regulations to meet New Zealand’s current and future needs.