This week MBIE seek your feedback on whether the industry needs a further six months to implement the proposed insulation changes to new residential housing. They cite strong industry feedback stating more time is needed in order to:

• Enable the building sector to ready itself for the change
• Allow constrained supply chains to become more stable and reliable, and
• Lessen the likely economic impact — and consequent mental health impact — on the sector and those in it

As a recap in November 2021, MBIE issued the Acceptable Solution H1/AS1 5th Edition and Verification Method H1/VM1 5th Edition, outlining the compliance pathways to meet minimum insulation requirements for new housing set out in clause H1 Energy Efficiency of the New Zealand Building Code.

At present, both the 4th edition and the 5th Edition of H1/AS1 and H1/VM1 can be used to establish compliance with clause H1 of the Building Code until 2 November this year. After this date, only the 5th Edition documents will be deemed to comply with the Building Code.

So, do you agree? Should we put off increasing the insulation standards for another year, or do you feel that we need to stick with a commitment to increase which is well overdue?

This MBIE has opened a two-week consultation on a proposed six month extension of the transition period for the insulation requirements in new housing. The proposed transition period would last to 1 May 2023 and apply to the Acceptable Solution H1/AS1 and Verification Method H1/VM1.

Make sure you have your say — submit your feedback here. 

Deadline for feedback is 5pm Monday 13 June 2022.