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Energy Efficiency Requirements for New Homes & Renovations
New energy efficiency requirements for investors building new homes or renovating existing properties, and for commercial landlords refitting properties, will be phased in from November this year. Prime Minister Helen Clark and Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove recently announced three energy efficiency changes.
First, new houses, and major extensions to existing houses, will need better insulation. The new requirements come into effect for South Island and North Island Central Plateau houses from November 2007. They take effect in the rest of the North Island up to Auckland from July 2008, and for Auckland and north from October 2008.
The Prime Minister and Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove said the changes would make Kiwi houses healthier, cheaper to heat and less damaging to the environment. Department of Building and Housing Building Standards Group Manager Mike Stannard says the changes mean new homes will use about 30 percent less energy to achieve healthy average indoor air temperatures.
“Depending on use and geographical area, annual energy bills could be cut by up to $760 in Auckland and up to $1340 in Christchurch. People will still have the flexibility to choose the insulation design that best meets their needs,” Mr Stannard says. Second, a new compliance document will be published covering solar water heating. This will make it easier to install solar water heating.
Third, energy efficient lighting will be required when building or refitting commercial property. Mr Stannard says commercial building users will save about $8 million per year nationally from the new energy efficient lighting requirements, and will be able to meet the requirements through smart design, which may include using natural light or energy efficient lighting systems.
“My prediction is that the push for energy efficient homes is only going to get stronger. More and more tenants will demand dry and easy to heat rentals. Better energy efficiency will also boost capital value.
“Aside from the financial benefit, a landlord with an energy efficient house will be doing their bit for the environment, and improving the health of their tenants,” Mr Stannard says. A recent study by the Wellington School of Medicine confirmed warmer homes are healthier. Mr Stannard says there are many ways to increase a property’s energy efficiency, ranging from free and cheap options through to more expensive ones that will give a return over a longer period. Some examples are:
When building, install large north-facing windows to make the most of sunlight; cut down trees blocking sunlight; fit a low-flow showerhead Replace appliances with energy-efficient models When replacing curtains, get thermal-backed versions Fit cheap draught strips on windows and external doors.
More ways to boost energy efficiency can be found on www.smarterhomes.org.nz. Other useful websites are:
www.dbh.govt.nz - for building and housing-related information, advice and services, including leaky homes claims, nationwide tenancy dispute resolution service, and guidance on complying with the law when building, renovating or maintaining buildings www.consumerbuild.org.nz - for advice on building, renovating and maintaining a home, and your rights, responsibilities and dispute resolution options if things go wrong www.consumer.org.nz - for Consumers’ Institute information on weathertightness, and other reports on home and DIY topics
Author: Sue McCabb June 2007
