RP0016: Report: The Bottom Line: The household impacts of delaying improved energy requirements in the Building Code

The National Construction Code is a ready-made policy instrument to influence the energy efficiency of new buildings and major renovations. Improved building energy efficiency presents a win-win-win solution, reducing stress on the electricity network and supporting a least-cost pathway to decarbonisation while also delivering cost savings and improved comfort to households and businesses. Improvements to the Code can have a large impact because new construction adds up fast: More than half of the buildings expected to be standing in 2050 will be built after the next update of the Code in 2019. The Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory Project is an industry-led initiative seeking improvements to the energy requirements in the Code. This Interim Report presents preliminary results, focusing on short-term improvements to residential requirements. A Final Report will be published in mid-2018 focused on the establishment of a long-term trajectory for Code energy requirements for both residential and non-residential buildings.