Energy Efficiency
The energy efficiency requirements for new building work have been changing.
Hot Water and HVAC provisions now in force
New Building Code (NZBC) provisions for hot water and HVAC systems come into force on 1 February 2009. There are currently no acceptable solutions or verification methods published for the new Building Code provisions, however guidance is available using the links below:
Insulation for Housing
In October 2007, Clause H1 of the New Zealand Building Code was changed to require improved thermal performance (insulation) in all new houses, non-residential buildings smaller than 300m2, and in alterations to both. New houses and major extensions to existing houses need to use 30% less heating energy to achieve healthy indoor temperatures than previously. The required R-values for thermal insulation for housing components increase.
The changes have become effective progressively throughout New Zealand since that time. The last area for them to become effective was in the northern parts of the North Island (i.e., climate zone 1) and this occurred on 30 September 2008.
Solar Water Heating
The Department published a new Acceptable Solution for installing solar water heaters, G12/AS2. It became effective on 1 December 2007.
The Acceptable Solution clarifies the system and installation features needed to meet Building Code requirements.
The Acceptable Solution provides a benchmark for the quality of solar water heater installations.
G12/AS2 compliance document [PDF 1.50 MB, 68 pages]
Commercial Lighting
Improvement requirements for the energy efficiency of commercial lighting in new and refitted buildings became effective on 31 October 2007. Details are provided in New Zealand Standard NZS 4243.2 2007 which is cited in Compliance Document H1 Energy Efficiency [PDF 205 KB, 32 pages].