Description

MBIE recently released energy efficiency changes to the Building Code to help make new homes and buildings warmer, drier and healthier. These include increased minimum insulation requirements for roofs, windows and floors.

Updates to New Zealand Building Code Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods were announced on 29 November 2021. In some areas, the changes are the biggest in decades. There is a transition period of 1 year ending on 3 November 2022 (with one slight difference for construction R-values for windows).

The updates include changes to clauses H1 Energy efficiency, G7 Natural light, E2 External moisture and B1 Structure.

Scope

This article includes:

• H1 – Energy efficiency changes
  • Six climate zones
  • Construction R-values for housing and small buildings
  • Large buildings
• G7 – Natural light for higher-density housing
• E2 – Testing for higher-density housing
• B1 – Reference changes
• Less than expected by many