Report: Policy options for a Home Energy Rating Scheme in New Zealand

In 2005 EECA contracted EnergyConsult to research, review and recommend policy options for a home energy rating scheme in New Zealand that would contribute to improved energy efficiency in the residential housing sector.

The goals of the research were to:

• Identify policy options – this included a review of residential building energy rating programmes internationally and locally;
• Analyse the options, select a preferred option and complete a cost benefit analysis for a preferred home energy rating scheme policy option.

Recommendations

After a review of similar programmes internationally and information available on the housing stock of New Zealand, along with the results of the cost-benefit analysis, EnergyConsult recommended that a home energy rating scheme programme be implemented in New Zealand, along with an energy efficiency incentive programme.

It was recommended to EECA that the home energy rating scheme be voluntary initially, and then move to mandatory with a requirement that a home energy rating be conducted and dosclosed when properties are sold. Further recommendations were made around the necessity of more detailed research into the housing stock and market research into what will move consumers to uptake the home energy rating scheme and influence them to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes.

>> Read the report [PDF 516 KB]

If you are unable to access the report, please email us at hers@eeca.govt.nz.