Ensuring that medium-density low-rise apartment complexes comply with NZBC-H1 (Energy Efficiency) is more involved than for stand-alone dwellings.

Heating a house is not as simple as just fitting a heat pump to a convenient wall. The most important first step is to develop a heating and cooling Performance Brief for the residence.

A new edition (Fourth) of the New Zealand Building Code Clause H1 (Energy Efficiency) has been published. It became effective on 1st January 2017.

Perhaps neither when it comes to attempting to control climate change. Perhaps it will only be by the sum of the small actions of individuals that there may be some hope of progress.

The New Zealand Building Code clause H1 (Energy Efficiency) requires minimum levels of insulation only to the exterior of the inhabited areas of a house. Is this enough?

The original WERS (Energy Efficiency Rating Scheme) for windows has been supplemented with WEERS — a more targeted system which considers, in more detail, the factors which influence the performance of the 'window element' of an exterior wall.

When the thermal mass of a concrete floor is being used to assist with the heating (or cooling) of a house, in my opinion there are two distinct approaches to designing the insulation of the slab.

Will the aspirational global temperature rise targets agreed to at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference have any implications for the future, or will it just be 'business as usual'?

Apartments and terrace buildings are now included in this comprehensive residential sustainability rating scheme which is rapidly being adopted throughout the country. 

Thermal Mass is often presented as the magic ingredient to ensure that the passive solar gain within a building is maximised, but the importance and usefulness of Thermal Mass can vary depending on the purpose and location of a space, along with glazing and insulation.