Schedule Method Removed to Simplify H1 Compliance Requirements

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has announced significant changes to the Building Code Regulations – H1 Energy Efficiency clause - which will see the Schedule Method removed as an acceptable method for demonstrating H1 compliance in new homes.

Aimed at delivering greater flexibility and reducing the upfront costs commonly faced when using the Schedule Method, the removal will see the Calculation Method and Modelling Methods continue as the only accepted methods.

The Schedule Method involved picking R-Values that met or exceeded H1 requirements for each part of the building, often leading to less design freedom and higher costs. While simpler, it limited the ability to optimise energy efficiency across the entire building.

Unlike the Schedule Method, these approaches require designers to assess all parts of a building’s energy efficiency, increasing flexibility and empowering specifiers and architects to explore more efficient and cost-effective design solutions. It is estimated that using these methods compared to the Schedule Method can save as much as $15,000* on the cost a new home.

The MBIE has confirmed that no changes will be made to the overall H1 compliance energy efficiency and insulation requirements beyond the removal. Architects and Specifiers can expect the Schedule Method to be removed by the end of 2025, with a 12-month transition period implemented to support them in adjusting to the change.

At Knauf Insulation, we understand the critical importance of selecting the right insulation materials to achieve H1 compliance and deliver efficient, cost-effective solutions for your projects. To support New Zealand architects and specifiers in achieving compliance, we have developed a dedicated H1 calculator tool!

This free, user-friendly resource eliminates the complexities of manual calculations and spreadsheets. Users can easily input the required project details and generated a report consistent with the Calculation Method. This allows you test various design options and material choices, helping the evaluate the optimal building design that meets H1 compliance in the most cost-effective manner.

Get a head start on your next H1 compliant project with added peace of mind using our FREE H1 calculator!

Visit our dedicated H1 Centre on Knauf.com to discover how our range of H1 compliant products and solutions can help you meet requirements and complement your systems to achieve efficient, cost-effective solutions.

*MBIE