In New Zealand, the discussion around the new H1 insulation requirements has sparked concerns about whether it could lead to overheating in homes. While insulation is vital for energy efficiency and comfort, some believe it might cause homes to become uncomfortably warm. However, insulation and more of it is always a good thing.
Understanding the H1 Standards on Insulation
H1 refers to the insulation requirements you must follow according to the New Zealand Building Code. These standards were updated in 2023 to ensure homes are well-insulated and that our build quality is getting closer to the standards in places like the UK and the EU. However, the standards don’t mitigate against poor design. Many designers in New Zealand have very good technical training but some may lack the design education, or ability to make a home not only look great but provide a comfortable environment year-round.
The Overheating Myth
Insulation acts as a barrier that slows down the transfer of heat between the inside and outside of a home. In winter, it keeps heat inside, and in summer, it helps to keep heat out.
Overheating is typically caused by poor design such as inadequate shading, poor ventilation, or excessive glazing in the wrong areas. Homes with large windows that face the sun without proper shading can trap heat, leading to higher indoor temperatures. Similarly, a lack of proper ventilation prevents hot air from escaping, intensifying the problem.
The Solution: Thoughtful Design
To prevent overheating, it's essential to incorporate smart design into your home. A good understanding of passive design principles gives us a multitude of tools, so we can optimise the comfort level of your home.
At 27acres, we precisely model your site and its exact coordinates, enabling us to assess your home's performance using local climate data and then design elements to enhance the overall environment of your finished home. Not only does shading serve a very practical purpose, but it can look great too.
Currently, there is talk of winding back the standards, which if this is implemented may continue mask poor design. At the end of the day, poor design with less insulation may reduce overheating, but it won’t provide comfort, and that’s a key pillar that NZ homes have been trailing the rest of the developed world on.
Insulation is a critical component of building energy-efficient homes in New Zealand, but it's not responsible for overheating. What the new insulation standards have amplified is that to many homes are being designed poorly.
At 27acres we always consider your local conditions and allow time to get the details right. If you want a home that looks great and performs even better, leave your details in our contact form, after all, it’s such a big investment it's worth getting it right.
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