H1 reaches next milestone

1 May 2023 marks the next milestone in the staged transition for the H1 Energy Efficiency updates to the Building Code

All insulation requirements for residential buildings, apart from windows and doors for climate zones one and two, will need to be increased for new building work commencing from 1 May.

In climate zones three and four, windows and doors will require an R-value of R0.46. For climate zones five and six, the R-value must be R0.50.

Roofs in all climate zones will require an R-value of R6.6, while slab-on-ground floors in climate zones one to four require an R-value of R1.5. Those in climate zone five require an R-value of R1.6 and those in climate zone six require an R-value of R1.7.

Other floors in climate zones one, two and three require an R-value of R2.5. Other floors in climate zone four require an R-value of R2.8, and other floors in climate zones five and six require an R-value of R3.0.

In all climate zones, walls require an R-value of R2.0.

Skylights also require an increase in R-value from 1 May. In climate zone one and two, it will increase to R0.46. Climate zones three and four will increase to R0.54 and five and six will increase to R0.62.

When specifying the insulation for a new building, designers must demonstrate how it complies with H1 Energy Efficiency. They also need to:

• Confirm which compliance pathway is appropriate.
• Which construction R-values are required.
• Demonstrate how to meet both requirements.

For changes to existing buildings, the Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) states that “the performance of the building needs to be at least as good as it was before you altered it. The extent of the building envelope that is altered or replaced will influence how closely the repair/replacement should match the R-values specified for new buildings in the acceptable solutions.”

When calculating what thermal resistance is required for repaired or replaced building elements, builders need to consider:

• The existing performance of the building.
• The extent of the element being replaced.
• How the element contributes to the overall performance of the building.

PlaceMakers supports builders building H1 knowledge

To make it easier for builders to get up to speed with the changes to Clause H1 of the Building Code, which regulates the energy efficiency of buildings, PlaceMakers has collated all the information about the changes – and detailed supplier solutions and related products – in one place.

Whether you like doing online research, or reading hard copy information you can pick up and put down, PlaceMakers has an option for you. Find out everything you need to know online HERE, or head in-store to pick up the latest version of the H1 Guide. Both sources provide you with the information you should know, and the tools you can use to put that knowledge into practice.

As a trade merchant with several suppliers, PlaceMakers is well placed to provide options, ensuring there’s a product that suits the requirements of your build!