H1 AS1 & VM1

This 50-minute course offers a comprehensive understanding of 'New Zealand H1 Energy Efficiency Compliance,' a complete regulatory assessment methodology for demonstrating thermal performance compliance within New Zealand's Building Code framework. Through detailed technical instruction using a residential building model, participants will learn to configure, execute, and document Schedule Method, Calculation Method, and VM1 Modelling Method assessments using Better Building's integrated compliance platform.

Key Course Content

This course provides you with a comprehensive understanding of New Zealand's H1 energy efficiency framework within the Building Code, focusing on three distinct compliance pathways that offer different levels of complexity and design flexibility. You'll explore the Schedule Method for simplified prescriptive compliance, the Calculation Method for heat loss equation analysis, and the VM1 Modelling Method for sophisticated dynamic simulation, whilst understanding when each pathway provides optimal compliance demonstration for residential building applications.

You'll start by mastering sophisticated building model setup including zone configuration for conditioned versus unconditioned spaces, advanced tagging system implementation for efficient specification of windows, doors, and wall systems, and critical thermal boundary definition for accurate envelope performance assessment. The course covers Schedule Method assessment with automated glazing area verification (30% maximum total wall area), construction thermal resistance validation against climate zone requirements, and comprehensive performance value lookup across ceiling, wall, and floor systems. You'll also dive into Calculation Method implementation including automated heat loss equation execution for reference and proposed building configurations, thermal envelope analysis with detailed R-value verification, and the strategic 50% performance improvement pathway for enhanced design flexibility.

The course extensively covers VM1 verification method implementation using ASHRAE Standard 140 equivalent simulation processes, annual space heating and cooling load analysis comparing reference and proposed building performance, and zone-by-zone assessment including HVAC sizing and thermal comfort evaluation. You'll learn advanced results interpretation including solar load analysis for overheating risk identification and operative temperature distribution assessment. The final component focuses on comprehensive report generation with customised branding, strategic presentation of multi-method compliance results for optimal regulatory acceptance, and quality assurance workflows that ensure input accuracy whilst demonstrating professional competency through detailed simulation reports and concise technical summaries for building consent applications.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be thoroughly equipped to execute comprehensive H1 energy efficiency assessments across all three compliance methods, interpret complex thermal performance results accurately, and provide professional documentation suitable for New Zealand Building Code compliance demonstration whilst understanding the strategic advantages of each compliance pathway.

Course Completion

A Certificate of Completion will be awarded upon achieving an 80% pass mark on the final quiz.

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