Building Code insulation requirement changes
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) is making it easier to follow insulation rules by removing the Schedule Method from the H1 standards.
This method used fixed insulation levels for different regions, but it turned out to be more expensive and less flexible than other options. Getting rid of it helps balance building costs with long-term energy savings and makes the rules clearer and more consistent.
Even with this change, the Building Code’s energy efficiency standards stay the same. Designers will now use the Calculation and Modelling methods, which look at the whole building’s energy use and can be adjusted for each project. These methods are more flexible and can cut building costs by up to $15,000 per home. MBIE has easy-to-use online tools to help designers adjust to the changes.
The Schedule Method will be removed by the end of 2025, with a year-long transition period to help the industry adjust. More updates to the H1 insulation rules will be shared later.