BEO Science — H1 Energy Efficiency
H1 compliance has three pathways —
and one of them is going away in November
The Schedule Method is being withdrawn in November 2026. The Calculation Method is a free, entry-level tool. The Verification Method is full energy modelling — the most rigorous pathway and the one required for high-performance buildings.
Schedule Method — Nov 2026
Verification Method
Calculation Method
NZ Residential & Commercial
Book a consultation →
Free calculator →
Heads Up
The Schedule Method is being withdrawn in November 2026. If your practice is still defaulting to Schedule as the standard H1 pathway, now is the time to move. The Calculation Method is available as a free tool in the interim — but the Verification Method is where the industry is heading.
The Three Methods
Understanding your H1 compliance options
All three methods satisfy H1 — but they differ substantially in what they tell you about your building, what trade-offs they permit, and how long they'll remain valid.
01
Withdrawn November 2026
Schedule Method — H1/AS1 · H1/AS2
R-value lookup — no calculation required
The Schedule Method checks R-values against a prescriptive table. It's the simplest pathway — no calculation, no modelling, just confirm that each element meets the minimum R-value for your climate zone. It's also the least informative: it tells you nothing about energy demand, heating loads, or comfort. And it's being withdrawn in November 2026. If you're using it now, plan your transition.
- No calculation required — lookup R-values from H1/AS1 or H1/AS2 tables
- Climate zone determines minimum R-values per building element
- No trade-offs permitted — each element must meet its minimum independently
- Produces no energy demand data or performance information
- Being withdrawn — not a viable long-term pathway
02
Calculation Method — H1/AS1 · H1/AS2
Entry-level compliance with trade-off flexibility
The Calculation Method compares your building's heat loss against a reference building insulated to minimum standards. It allows limited trade-offs between building elements — lower R-value in one area compensated elsewhere. It's a step up from Schedule, and it's available as a free tool. But it's still a simplified check, not a model of how the building performs: no energy demand figures, no overheating assessment, no HVAC sizing data.
- Heat loss comparison against H1 reference building
- Trade-offs permitted between walls, roof, floor, and glazing
- Useful for non-standard construction or large glazing areas
- Free to use — no specialist required for straightforward projects
- Does not produce energy demand data or comfort analysis
03
Verification Method — H1/VM1
Full energy modelling — the most rigorous H1 pathway
The Verification Method uses whole-building energy modelling to demonstrate that your design meets or exceeds the H1 energy performance requirements. It models the complete building — envelope, glazing, mechanical systems, occupancy, and climate — and produces verified energy demand figures. It's required for Passive House projects and high-performance commercial buildings, and it's the only method that gives you data you can design and size systems around.
- Full whole-building energy simulation — H1/VM1 compliance
- Heating demand, cooling demand, DHW, and primary energy
- Unrestricted trade-offs across the entire building system
- Required for Passive House certification (PHPP aligns with VM1)
- Overheating risk, solar gain, and HVAC sizing outputs included
- Compliance report suitable for building consent submission
Method Comparison
Which method fits your project
| Schedule Method | Calculation Method | Verification Method | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Withdrawn Nov 2026 | Current — entry level | Current — most rigorous |
| Trade-offs | None | Limited — between elements | Unrestricted — whole building |
| Energy demand data | No | No | Yes — full output |
| Passive House | No | No | Yes — required |
| Cost | Free | Free — use our tool | Specialist required |
| Suitable for | Standard residential — while it lasts | Custom residential, large glazing | High-performance, commercial, PH |
Who We Help
H1 compliance support across the project team
Architects & Designers
H1/VM1 energy modelling at design stage gives you the data to make confident envelope decisions — glazing ratios, orientation, insulation trade-offs — before those decisions are locked. We work as a specialist input, not a consent-stage checkbox.
- Early-stage Verification Method modelling
- Trade-off analysis across the full envelope
- Consent-ready compliance reports
Builders & Developers
If you're still using the Schedule Method, November 2026 is closer than it looks. The Calculation Method is free and handles most standard projects. For anything non-standard or high-performance, the Verification Method is the right tool.
- Free Calculation Method tool for standard projects
- VM1 modelling for complex or high-performance builds
- Transition support from Schedule to current methods
Passive House Projects
The Verification Method and PHPP modelling are closely aligned — both model whole-building energy balance. A project being designed to Passive House standard will satisfy H1/VM1 as a natural output of the PHPP process.
- PHPP and H1/VM1 modelling in parallel
- Single model covers both compliance and certification
- See our Passive House design service →
Commercial Projects
Commercial buildings with complex HVAC systems, significant internal gains, or high-performance specifications need the Verification Method. The Schedule and Calculation methods don't cover the full building system at commercial scale.
- H1/VM1 compliance for commercial consent
- Green Star energy credit modelling
- See our energy modelling service →
FAQ
Common questions
The Schedule Method is going away — what do I use instead?
For most straightforward residential projects, the Calculation Method is the natural replacement — and it's free. Our H1 Calculation Method tool implements H1/AS1 and H1/AS2 and generates a compliance report. For more complex projects, non-standard construction, large glazing areas, or anything Passive House or high-performance, the Verification Method is the right pathway.
Can I use the Calculation Method for commercial buildings?
In limited cases, yes — but it doesn't cover the full building system at commercial scale. Commercial buildings with significant HVAC systems, internal heat gains, or complex occupancy profiles generally require the Verification Method. If you're not sure which applies, get in touch and we'll confirm before you invest time in a compliance approach that won't hold up at consent.
Does H1/VM1 Verification Method modelling cost more than the other methods?
Yes — it requires specialist energy modelling software and expertise. But it also delivers significantly more: verified energy demand figures, trade-off flexibility across the whole building, overheating assessment, and HVAC sizing data. For high-performance projects, the modelling cost is a small fraction of the value it delivers in design optimisation and system specification. Book a consultation to discuss scope and fee for your project.
Is H1 compliance the same as Passive House certification?
No — H1 is a minimum building code requirement; Passive House is a voluntary high-performance standard that significantly exceeds H1. A Passive House building will comfortably meet H1/VM1, but H1 compliance alone doesn't mean a building performs to Passive House standard. See our Passive House design service for the full picture.
Which climate zone applies to my project?
H1 divides New Zealand into climate zones by territorial authority — the zone determines the minimum R-values for each building element under the Schedule Method and the reference building assumptions under the Calculation and Verification Methods. Our free calculator includes full climate zone lookup by territorial authority. If you're unsure, enter your project location and it will confirm the zone automatically.