Your Roof Could Be ‘Raining’ On The Inside – Here’s Why
Roof condensation can leave your insulation damp, and the damage can go far beyond your power bills. Find out why it happens and how better design can stop it. I had new roof insulation installed last summer, thanks to the Warmer Kiwi Homes scheme. My existing insulation looked ancient: I’d poked my head into […]
Why New Zealand Homes Aren’t Always Healthy
New Zealanders have a reputation for being a relatively health-conscious bunch. Many of us make a reasonable effort to eat well, stay active, and make the most of the outdoors. But there is one part of that picture we don’t always think about: The house we live in. Housing Is A Health Issue Most of us […]
The Draughty Truth About New Builds
Most new homes have never been tested for draughtiness. Here’s what a blower door test would tell you. Meet Tania. She’s our certified blower door test technician. But most people building a new home never hear about this test. That’s because NZ builders aren’t required to prove a home’s airtightness, and many buyers don’t […]
Is That New House Really Energy Efficient?
Apparently, everyone can build you an energy-efficient home. But are they as energy efficient as you think? ‘Energy efficient’ has become a buzzword. But what does it actually tell you about your future energy costs? You might be surprised to learn that there’s no single standard for what makes a home ‘energy efficient’. The term […]
Get More From Your Home Building Budget
When you’re planning a new home, the biggest budget decisions happen before you’ve chosen a single tap or tile. The shape and size of the house impact its energy efficiency as well as your bottom line. And the person who knows that best is not the architect but rather someone you may have never heard […]
How Thermal Bridging Creates Cold Spots in Your Home
You’re sitting in your warm living room with the heater on. As far as you’re concerned, the temperature is perfect. But your spouse is sitting in the corner, and they just pulled on a thick sweater. “It’s freezing. Turn up the heat, would you?” Do they just feel the cold more? Or is the temperature […]
Will A Bathroom Extractor Fan Alone Keep Your Bathroom Dry?
As a kid, I was constantly reminded by my mother to turn on the bathroom fan when I showered. I never thought about the steam I was producing; I just liked drawing on the condensation on the mirror. Now that I’m a homeowner myself, I’ve become my mother. I don’t like condensation. I can feel […]
Overheating In NZ Homes (Again)
Did you see it in the news again? Overheating in new homes is back in the headlines, AGAIN.And honestly, we’re not surprised. We talk about this issue every summer, because every summer, people are moving into brand new homes and finding them too hot to live in. They’re dealing with sweltering bedrooms, unbearable night […]
Why Is Your Winter Power Bill So High?
Have you ever looked at your winter power bill and wondered, why is it so much higher than usual? A common question is whether power companies charge more in the winter. Unfortunately, the answer is yes, they often do. Just when you need it the most, power becomes more expensive. Utility providers usually justify this […]
Cold, Damp & Expensive: Why It’s Time to Rethink Kiwi Homes
Do you wake up to condensation on your windows?Smell that faint mustiness in certain rooms?Run a dehumidifier every day, just trying to keep things dry?Or wonder why your power bill is so high, even though you’re constantly trying to save? If that sounds familiar, you’re not the only one. As winter rolls in, more and […]