The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) opened consultation on Friday 27 May to extend the date at which better insulation for new houses will be required by six months. The proposed delay applies only to new residential building work. MBIE is not proposing to change the implementation date for commercial construction.

The changes to insulation requirements aim to reduce the energy needed for heating residential homes by up to 40 per cent. The changes double the requirement for roof insulation, increase the performance requirements for windows, and raise requirements for underfloor insulation.

MBIE first consulted on the insulation changes in early 2021 as part of its annual Building Code update and the date for the new requirements was announced on 29 November 2021. General Manager Building System Performance at MBIE John Sneyd says the proposal to push out the date for the new requirements has been made following concerns raised by the sector about its readiness to deliver on the changes.

“We are aware that the sector is under significant pressure and want to manage the risk that delivering on these changes in the immediate short term will further impact the health of the building industry and those people working in it.”

Consultation on this proposed amendment runs for two weeks, until Monday 13 June, as is required by the Building Act. A final decision will be announced before 1 July 2022. For more information on this proposal, including how to make a submission, visit: Building Code update 2022 — Transition period for the energy efficiency of housing.