The Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is removing the Schedule Method as a way to demonstrate compliance with the Building Code H1 insulation requirements as this method does not consider what insulation levels are most appropriate and cost-effective for a particular building.
Removing the Schedule Method from the H1 acceptable solutions is the first in a number of simple changes aimed at optimising H1 to better balance upfront building costs and longer-term benefits, and to improve consistency and certainty of compliance and consenting.
The Schedule Method shows exactly how much insulation must be used in different parts of the country to meet Building Code requirements for new buildings. MBIE says this one-size-fits-all approach can be more expensive than other ways of complying with the Building Code.
The Schedule Method will be removed from the Building Code acceptable solutions and verification methods for Energy Efficiency by the end of 2025. Designers will then have 12 months to adjust to the changes.
MBIE is also considering whether the Far North of Aotearoa New Zealand could be treated as a separate climate zone, as proposed in a submission to the recent H1 energy efficiency consultation. However, much of the detail is yet to be worked through before the area could be designated as a separate zone.
• Read more about the removal of the Schedule Method from H1 insulation requirements.
