Insulation, Overheating & Designing Better
In New Zealand, H1 insulation requirements have raised questions about whether homes could become too warm. Insulation is essential for energy efficiency and comfort, but it is not the cause of overheating. The real factor is design, especially design that responds to the climate of your location.
H1 sets the insulation requirements in the New Zealand Building Code. The 2023 updates aim to improve home performance and bring New Zealand closer to international standards. While insulation is important, it cannot fix poor design. A home can meet the code but still feel uncomfortable if orientation, shading, ventilation, and window placement are not carefully considered.
Why Overheating Happens
Insulation helps keep heat in during winter and out during summer. Overheating usually occurs because of design choices such as large sun-facing windows without shading, lack of cross ventilation, or too much glass in the wrong areas. Without thoughtful design, heat can build up inside.
How We Design Thoughtfully
At Candela Architecture, we design homes across Southland, Central Otago & beyond which have very different climates. What works in Central Otago, with its dry, hot summers and cold winters, may not suit the milder, wetter conditions of Southland. That is why every home we design is tailored to its site and climate, considering shading, cross ventilation, glazing, and materials to keep your home comfortable all year round.
At Candela, we have the right tools and knowledge to analyse your design using local climate data to truly understand your homes comfort, and energy performance. We can then adjust your design to maximise it’s performance.
Get Your Home Right
Insulation is important, but good design is essential. By considering local conditions and focusing on the details, Candela Architecture creates homes that look great and perform even better. Your home is a huge investment and getting it right ensures you will enjoy lasting comfort no matter where you are across the country.
