Energy Step Code Aotearoa with Primary Energy (ESCAPE) is a network of New Zealand’s built environment professionals who are working together to put New Zealand on the path to a zero carbon future.

NZ living conditions

The health of New Zealanders is being jeopardised by the current living conditions.

40,000 kids a year are hospitalised because of the house the live in, and1,600 people a year die because of the house they live in.

Energy consumption

New Zealand homeowners are using up to 60% less power than predicted to heat and cool their homes, and while reducing energy use is a positive step in our efforts to mitigate CO2 emissions, the way in which Kiwis are operating their homes has created unhealthy indoor living conditions.

These conditions are not only impacting on the building itself, but also the health of its inhabitants.

Proposal for change

In 2020 ESCAPE will develop a technical guidance roadmap which will set out the targets and the building performance measurements needed to achieve for New Zealand to reach a net zero ready building code, leading to carbon zero.

The change is proposed to happen over a period of time starting with a measuring phase followed by a 3-year cycle of incremental change thereafter.

Alongside the existing Zero Code Roadmap provided from the NZGBC, the addition of building performance targets will provide the industry with regulatory building performance measurements.

Timeline

Buildings should be designed and built so that the required internal air quality performance is clearly defined, and the heating and cooling energy calculated to achieve this performance.

Following the measuring phase, the below graphs show carbon emission reduction over a 3-year cycle period to achieve healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient buildings.

Solution

TUI – a measurement of total usage intensity 1 kWh / sqm*yr = 1 TUI

Solution

TEDI – a measurement of thermal energy demand intensity

Define a minimum performance requirement for indoor air quality: 18-25 Degrees C | 40-60% Relative Humidity | <1000ppm CO2

Solution

Key dates and starting points outlined as a projection for the industry to identify what action is planned, and when it should be achieved by

What has been achieved so far

British Columbia’s ongoing experiment with their step code is demonstrating that if builders are given a long lead time for a high-performance level and interim thresholds, and given adequate supports, they will step up to the task. They will investigate techniques, materials, and
strategies, and will innovate practices, optimizing costs so they will be ready to deliver on the requirements before they come into force.

Meanwhile, local manufacturers will begin delivering higher performance products and materials to meet the demand.

Unlike the prescriptive approach to energy efficiency in the Building Code, the Energy Step Code does not oblige builders to follow prescribed combinations of materials and wall assemblies. Instead, it sets requirements across a range of metrics, and then leaves it up to the design team to figure out the most cost-effective way to meet them. It also establishes a long-term goal, instead of incremental improvements.

Process

1. Design – Model the building
2. Built – Build the building
3. Verified – Test/confirm (energy bill/monitored evidence of internal air quality)