Technical Note: New Zealand H1 Energy Efficiency Requirement Updates
Overview & Purpose
All building work in New Zealand must comply with the Building Code to ensure safety, durability and efficiency for all users / occupants. As part of this, Section H1 of the Building Code sets out the energy efficiency requirements and Acceptable Solution (AS) / Verification Method (VM) assessment approach, depending on the size and use of the building.
Key Changes
R-Values
- Walls: wall R-Values now also apply to the doors located within them.
- Floors: new minimum values for both slabs on ground and other floors types.
- Window performance now considers the frame area, glass area and glass edge length. This means that larger windows are more affected by glass R-value and smaller windows are more affected by frame R-value.
In recent months some changes have been made to the requirements of H1 Energy Efficiency, which are now coming into mandatory effect. We have reviewed the changes as below:
Climate Zones
New Zealand has now been split into six climate zones, with associated R-value requirements aligned across windows, walls, roofs, floors, doors and skylights.
Compliance Pathways
The updated requirements have provided five categories in which to assess the energy efficiency of a building as follows:
- AS1: Acceptable Solution H1/AS1 Energy efficiency for all housing, and buildings up to 300 m²;
- AS2: Acceptable Solution H1/AS2 Energy efficiency for buildings > 300 m²;
- VM1: Verification Method H1/VM1 Energy efficiency for all housing, and buildings up to 300 m²;
- VM2: Verification Method H1/VM2 Energy efficiency for buildings > 300 m²;
- VM3: Verification Method H1/VM3 Energy efficiency of HVAC systems in commercial buildings.
The choice of Acceptable Solution or Verification Method classification is dependent on the attributes of your building, i.e. extent of glazing and location, R-values and wall / door area as detailed within the table below:
| Schedule Method (AS1) | Calculation Method (AS1) | Modelling Method (VM1) |
|---|---|---|
| Where total glazing is ≤30% of total wall area | Where total glazing is ≤40% of total wall area (previously 50%) | Where glazing extents falls outside the limits of the schedule or calculation methods |
| Where ≤30% glazing is on east, south and west walls | Where R-values are different to the standard, calculate/compare to a reference building | Where R-values are different to the standard |
| Where < 1.5m² skylight area or skylights is < 1.5% of total roof area | Model compared to a reference model (using the standard R-values) | |
| Where < 6.0m² door area, or doors < 6% of total wall area | ||
| Use R-value tables |
The ‘Scheduled Method’ method utilises schedules of tabulated minimum R-values for roofs, walls, floors, windows, doors and skylights.
The ‘Calculation Method’ uses a comparison methodology permitting different insulation combinations for roofs, walls, floors, windows, doors and skylights.
The ‘Verification Method’ enables the building to be modelled using appropriate modelling software and compared to a reference building with the standard R-values.
R-Values
The external fabric requirements for buildings have been reassessed, increasing minimum thermal performance requirements to improve building energy efficiency and reduce heat loss. Notable changes include:
- Increased minimum R-values for roofs, walls, floors, windows, doors and skylights
- Introduction of six climate zones across New Zealand
- Revised glazing assessment methodologies considering frame and glass performance
- Reduced glazing thresholds before more detailed assessment methods are required
- Increased insulation performance requirements for floor constructions
Next Steps
Ensure you understand the changes and their impact on your construction projects. You may need to alter some internal processes or outsource some elements to ensure compliance with the new requirements of the Building Code.
Author: Richard Gardner, Engineer – Dewick & Associates