Description

Changes to H1 will deliver the warmer, drier new homes the government requires and start the journey of building for climate change.

Increases in energy efficiency through better insulation will become the norm later this year. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) estimated that the updates to the Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods to Building Code clause H1 Energy efficiency will achieve an average of 23% energy use reduction in the heating and cooling of large non-residential buildings. A reduction of up to 40% in new residential buildings is also predicted.

This in turn will improve warmth, health and wellbeing of users of those new homes and buildings, theoretically resulting in a reduction in hospital and GP visits. It is also expected to support New Zealand’s efforts to cut carbon emissions.

Scope

This article includes:

• Changes from 3 November 2022
• Housing and smaller buildings
• Larger buildings
• Industry implications