Building a high performance, energy efficient home
With increasing awareness of the environmental impacts of building, along with rising construction and energy costs, there is a shifting trend towards building homes that are smaller & smarter. We endorse this thinking, and work closely with our clients to create homes that are functional, well designed, and highly energy efficient.
Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes Districts have challenging climates, with high outdoor temperatures in summer and very low outdoor temperatures in winter. To create a home that is comfortable throughout the year, we need to carefully consider a number of design considerations. While our architectural style to each project is different, all our high performing homes have common themes including:
- careful consideration of layout, home orientation and glazing
- a high quality continuous thermal envelope, including high levels of insulation in the walls and roof (e.g SIPs panels), a fully insulated slab, and thermally broken windows.
- a vapour control layer to the inside of the insulation creating an airtight construction assembly
- a good moisture management and ventilation system.
We will discuss each of these items in detail in a series of upcoming blogs.
Benefits for you and the environment
Homes constructed in this way have reduced heating and cooling requirements, which significantly decrease energy consumption. Energy efficient homes provide economic benefits to homeowners with decreased running costs (power bills), and importantly also have a wider ecological benefit. The built environment currently contributes to 20% of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions, so building smarter plays a critical role in minimising the impact on our environment.
Completed energy efficient homes
Well designed, energy efficient homes are amazing to spaces to live in. Examples of completed energy efficient homes can be viewed on our portfolio.
