About this asset

This New Zealand Building Code H1/AS1 document defines energy efficiency compliance for housing and buildings up to 300 square metres. The H1/AS1 Acceptable Solution serves as a primary regulatory manual for achieving energy efficiency in residential construction within New Zealand. This sixth edition, effective from November 2025, outlines the mandatory performance criteria for thermal insulation, glazing, and building envelope design. It provides specific pathways for compliance, detailing the required R-values for roofs, walls, and floors to meet national standards. The document is structured to assist designers and architects in navigating the requirements for new builds and alterations, ensuring that all small-scale projects adhere to the latest energy performance mandates set by the Ministry.

The download is a 1.5 MB file containing .PDF files.

Professionals should integrate this PDF into their project documentation phase to ensure all design specifications align with current national regulations. The document acts as a reference for verifying thermal performance calculations during the building consent process. Architects and engineers can use the provided tables and methods to determine compliant insulation levels and glazing specifications for residential developments, ensuring that project documentation remains accurate and legally defensible during local council reviews, inspections, and final certification of the building envelope.

This regulatory document is essential for architects, building designers, and energy consultants working on residential projects throughout New Zealand. It is a critical resource during the design, specification, and consent stages for houses, townhouses, and light commercial buildings under 300 square metres. Professionals frequently reference these standards when detailing wall assemblies, roof systems, and window schedules to guarantee thermal compliance. It pairs with other building code documents to provide a comprehensive framework for creating energy-efficient, high-performance homes in diverse climate zones.