We are members of the New Zealand Green Building Council, and Director Beth Chaney is a certified Practitioner and Assessor for the NZGBC Homestar rating scheme.
Homestar is a comprehensive, independent rating tool that measures the health, warmth and efficiency of New Zealand homes. Ratings can be undertaken at both the ‘Design’ and ‘Built’ stages. Ratings take into account energy use, water use, waste, ventilation, health and comfort, in addition to other environmental factors. Most new homes built to the current Building Code will only achieve half the score of the minimum Homestar 6 rating. A more considered design approach allows a much higher rating home to be achieved. A 6 Homestar rating or higher provides assurance that a home will be warmer, healthier and cost less to run than a typical new home.
Homestar ratings can only be assessed by qualified professionals and certified by the New Zealand Green Building Council. As a Homestar Practitioner and Homestar Assessor, Beth can advise you early in the design process what Homestar rating level is appropriate for your brief and budget, and how this can be best achieved. Beth can also formally assess your project for a Homestar ‘Design’ rating during the design process, and assess a Homestar ‘Built’ rating during construction on site.
Homestar assessment complements our key Architectural services. With our combined local experience and technical expertise, we are able to help our clients create a comfortable, durable, energy efficient home that maximises the potential of their site and budget.
With discounted mortgage rates available for lending on a home that achieves Homestar 6 or over, there are also significant financial incentives now available to building a healthier, warmer and more energy efficient home.
