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ABOUT H1 ENERGY EFFICIENCY NEW ZEALAND

Selecting your best route to compliance

H1 ENERGY EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has updated the Energy Efficiency (H1) requirements for insulating new homes and commercial buildings in the New Zealand Building code. Now all new building projects must adhere to the updated performance criteria for wall, floor, and roof insulation.

The purpose of the new H1 requirements is to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat new buildings and help make them warmer, drier & healthier, with less impact on the environment. The targeted reduction of energy for residential buildings is approximately 40% and for non-residential buildings the targeted reduction of the energy use is 23%.  

REQUIREMENTS ARE TAILORED TO SIX CLIMATE ZONES

MBIE has divided New Zealand into six climate zones, taking into account climate data and territorial authority boundaries.

Residential or Commercial Building Compliance

Previously, both residential and commercial buildings were covered in the same H1 compliance documents. The latest guidance has been divided into two separate pairs of documents.

SELECTING YOUR BEST ROUTE TO COMPLIANCE

Before November 2025, there were three compliance pathways: the Schedule, Calculation, and Modelling methods. All three can continue to be used until November 2026, after which the Schedule Method will be discontinued.

Simplifying H1 Compliance with our H1 Calculator

Now available to calculate using the 5th or 6th edition.

Get your report now

FOUR BENEFITS OF CHOOSING THE CALCULATION METHOD

The Calculation method allows for innovative and practical solutions. Here are just four of the ways you can use that design flexibility to benefit your build and the eventual occupants.

Living room with big windows

1. Optimise glazing

Larger windows and glass doors can enhance natural lighting, aesthetics and views of the outdoors, improving the day-to-day experience of the occupant

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2. SAVE ON GLAZING COSTS

Adhering strictly to the H1 R-values can lead to higher construction costs, especially when considering premium glazing materials or expensive solutions. Selecting higher R-values in other building elements will give you the flexibility to lower the R-value of your windows and doors.

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3. OPTIMISE THE SPACE

Building designs often encounter space constraints, particularly those with skillion roofs or compact floor plans. In such scenarios, exceeding the H1 R-values in other parts of the building envelope enables insulation to remain tailored to the available space without compromising on the building's overall energy efficiency.

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4. REDUCE SLAB-ON GROUND INSULATION

Exceeding H1 R-values in other building elements can reduce the need for high levels of slab-on-ground floor insulation. This in turn can simplify construction, reduce material costs and contribute to a more efficient use of space, particularly in areas with limited foundation depth.

Naked batts and certifications

Knauf Insulation Solutions

Our state-of the art manufacturing facility for Asia Pacific has the capacity to confidently supply the New Zealand market through our key distributors and partners following the new requirements. We have a wide range of high performing non-combustible glasswool insulation solutions for roof, wall and floor applications to help achieve compliance with the new requirements. All of our products sold in New Zealand are manufactured using DriTherm® Technology which provides improved moisture resistance making them suitable for use in applications for residential and commercial buildings.

H1 Compliant Insulation Solutions

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