December 20, 2021
Buildings and Thermal Performance - sweeping changes to NZBC H1.
The Building Code Update 2021 is in motion already, from 29 Nov this year to full effect 02 Nov 2022 - you have less than 12 months to get up to speed. ⏳
In the following days we'll be covering the major differences and how they effect buildings. Right now you need to be aware of the following major changes:
✅ 3 climate zones becomes 6.
✅ Minimum R-values for housing have a HUGE increase (eg R6.6 for roofs, 0.37-0.5 for glazing 👍🏻)
✅ Minimum R-values for large buildings have a HUGE increase (eg R3.5-7 for roofs, 033-0.42 for glazing 👍🏻)
✅ Housing + small buildings (<300m2) and Large buildings (300m2+)
✅ Higher requirements around floor and ceiling insulation
❌ See ya later BRANZ R-value guide 👋🏻
Commercial buildings HVAC - for the first time, mandatory stringent design requirements are required for:
✅ Air conditioning and mechanical ventilation controls.
✅ Fan and pump selection.
✅ Ductwork and pipework design and insulation.
✅ Space heating.
✅ Plant selection, e.g., heaters, VRF systems, chillers etc.
✅ Energy monitoring requirements
✅ Maintenance access
These changes are radical (for NZ!) and long awaited. They will provide a fantastic lift in energy efficiency 🌿. HVAC consultants will be kept busy as the validation of HVAC design is complex and requires professional experience. We will be issuing further guidance and help. If you need assistance in the meantime, our nationwide team are on hand to help.
Some other important notes:
💡 Schedule method can only be used if the building has a WWR of less than 30%.
💡 Calculation method can only be used if the building has a WWR of less than 40%.
💡 Window requirements can be found in Appendix E for housing.
💡 Floor slabs requirements can be found in Appendix F (do not use BRANZ housing insulation guide anymore)
💡 H1/AS1 5th Edition – Housing and communal residential basically replace NZS4218 (Buildings less than 300m2).
💡 H1/AS2 1st Edition – Communal nonresidential and commercial buildings replacing NZS4243.1.2007 (Buildings greater than 300m2).
Spot Laura's blooper 13.49s haha - treating engineering seriously, but life in general...a little less so 🤣
