Are you considering the leap into building an Energy Efficient home but worried about the costs?
Building a home that not only meets but exceeds standard Energy Efficiency requirements is an investment in both your families health and future! It also has a positive environmental impact. We will walk you through the essentials of selecting the perfect site, understanding the nuances of specialised design and construction, and the overall cost implications compared to standard homes. We’ll break down the costs associated with designing and building an Energy Efficient or Passive House in New Zealand, and highlight the long-term benefits of reduced energy bills and increased comfort.
Site
The perfect site for an Energy Efficient Home is South – North facing, with living areas (Lounges, Kitchen and Dining) being to the North, with shelter from the East and West. These types of sites are very popular and disappear quickly.
Design
We save you costs on design fees. Compared to the ordinary NZ Building Code home, Energy Efficient and Passive House designs require a higher level of detail and knowledge around what prevents heat loss. Because of this, the drafting of Energy Efficient and Passive House plans requires more care. There is more time devoted to ensuring the elements are correct.
There are many benefits in using our design services. Having the Architect and builder together on any project especially Energy Efficient Passive house designs is a major bonus. To make it work correctly, it is really important to have the whole team on board with the project from day one. We employ our own in-house Architect and Designers who are passive house trained. When you are building with us we charge them out at cost, saving you thousands of dollars.
Build
The build time of your Energy Efficient Home takes slightly longer, but you would expect that with all the extra benefits you are getting e.g. ensuring insulation, is properly installed without gaps or creases takes time, however making sure your investment works is of primary importance. Our experience in installing airtight membranes and ventilation systems are second to none, after all, we have been doing it for over 10yrs.
The Passive House society will tell you that the biggest failing world wide of houses being built not meeting the standard is due to the builder/installer not understanding the products that are on the Architectural plans. That figure sits at a staggering 85%.
Passive House New Zealand’s’ biggest complaint? It is not from the end user! It is from companies. When it goes wrong the Architect blames the builder and the builder blames the Architect. The sad part for us about this, is it is you the client that gets left paying for something that doesn’t work as well as it should.
One of the biggest benefits of dealing with us is. We design it, we build it, we make sure it works. There is no one to blame and you can be reassured your investment will work.
To learn more about the build process, download our free E-Book “Your Home, our Planet”.
Systems
Additional Insulation
We increase the amount of insulation in your Floor, walls and ceilings. However, we select products that are economical to acquire, fast to install and most importantly that actually work! There is little point in increasing your insulation just to install it wrong.
Upgraded Windows
Tilt & Turn type joinery with Low E coatings and Argon filled are standard. We recommend based on your needs and budget a variety of uPVC and Timber Aluminium options with either Double or Triple Glazed. The windows are your weakest point though they are also (quite literally) your windows to the world. Investment here not only adds comfort but a light to your home, inside and out.
Fun Fact
The only difference between your Energy Efficient Home and a Passive Home with us is the Insulative elements. We use the same Ventilation system, the same Airtightness system, the same Design details and in many cases the same joinery. You get all of the comfort, all of the health benefits and almost the same energy bills for $1000s/m less. We aim to give every client value and undeniably an Energy Efficient Home with Affordable Performance.
The cost to build in Canterbury currently is $2,855/m2 (on average)
We can build you an Energy Efficient Home for $2,700/m2 and a certifiably Passive Home for $3,700/m2.
Don’t believe us? Book your free consultation today
https://www.canstar.co.nz/home-loans/how-much-to-build-a-new-house-in-nz
