Improved energy efficiency in homes and buildings
Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove recently announced a package of measures to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. This will make New Zealand homes warmer, healthier and more comfortable, and reduce energy bills. The package is part of the Government's increased focus on improving energy efficiency and combating the effects of climate change.
The Department of Building and Housing has released a public discussion document containing three specific proposals stemming from the Minister's announcement.
The proposals are to:
- require better insulation in new homes
- increase the efficiency of lighting in commercial buildings
- make it easier and cheaper to install solar hot water systems.
The Department is seeking feedback on these proposals from the public and from all Codewords readers with an interest in energy efficiency. If adopted, the proposals will have major implications for how New Zealand buildings are designed.
The first proposal is that new homes will need to be better insulated. This can be achieved by putting better insulation in the walls, ceiling and floor, and using double-glazed windows. With better insulation it's more economical to heat homes to a healthy level.
The cost savings in energy, coupled with the health and environmental benefits of warm homes, would more than offset the initial costs of using better insulation.
Homeowners throughout the country would benefit, particularly those in the South Island. This change would also help New Zealand catch up with inter-national best practice, and ensure that new homes can provide the benefits of energy efficiency to their owners for decades to come.
The second proposal is to increase the performance require-ments for lighting in commercial buildings. This would recognise what is already established as design best practice, and has the potential to save as much as 1.89 GWh of electricity every year - enough to power more than 3000 family-sized refrigerators.
The cost to building owners would be negligible, with substantial running-cost savings over time. This is because modern lighting technologies (such as lights that do not dim over time, and sensors that adjust artificial lights in accordance with natural lighting) have made it possible to achieve good lighting levels more efficiently.
The third proposal is for the Department to publish an Acceptable Solution for solar water heating installations. This non-mandatory document would make it easier and cheaper for homeowners to plan, design and install solar water heating systems, and to obtain building consents for them. Currently, the set-up costs are a barrier to the widespread adoption of solar water heating technology, which can easily halve the average household's water heating bill.
The Department is investigating other energy efficiency measures, including those for domestic hot water systems and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems in large buildings. Further proposals for change will be made in 2007.
You can find copies of the discussion document and advice on how to make a submission on the Department's website: www.dbh.govt.nz/energy-efficiency
Submissions close on 22 December 2006.