In the first month after the Green Building Council launched their HomeFit on-line check in November last year, 5000 Kiwis checked their homes. People are keen to learn how their houses can be made warm, safe and dry, and the Council is keen that checking eco- performance is as much a part of house hunters’ checklists as kitchen style or number of bedrooms.
Check whether your house is HomeFit
Green buildings are designed to be good for people, and also have a lower impact on the environment. We’ve not been good at this in New Zealand – homes built to the current building code would score an inadequate 3 or 4 Homestar rating, older homes a paltry 2 to 3. The goal is at least Homestar 5 or 6, which, as well as being more comfortable to live in would save $570 to nearly $730 a year on energy and water bills. Right now there are just under 930 houses around the country that have achieved 6 star, another 130 with 7, 99 with 8 and two with 9: an impressive 1037 new builds over Homestar 6.
The ultimate goal a Homestar 10, but that’s not cheap or easy. It has been achieved by 38 houses in the country.
Start your property search
We found some great houses, that while they don't declare Homestar ratings, would beautifully fit the eco-house bill.
Ian Cunliffe and Carol Wetzell of Barfoot & Thompson Devonport have a charming house on Wairoa Rd that ticks all the environment boxes: sunny and north west facing for passive solar gain, solar panels to run the heating, an HRV system for clean, cool air and even a 2000 litre water tank. Tender closes August 13.
Live the beach life in Narrow Neck
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Ian Cunliffe, along with Tracey Lawrence, has another eco house, this one built from scratch. Constructed of high performance Hebel block, it has insulation, energy efficient glazing, solar panelling and grey water rain tanks. The house is oriented for passive solar gain, has a wood burning stove and even vege beds and fruit trees for urban self-sufficiency.
Picture the good life in the city
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In Opaheke, the burgeoning new area between Papakura and Drury, Bayleys Papakura agent Ginny Cheyne has a striking property on hills looking back to the city and sunsets. Asking in the low one millions, the property has solar power, a metro fire with wetback, even a windmill. The decking is made from eco-wood, there are vege gardens and sheds (future chickens, perhaps?) but you’re only 10 minutes from the Papakura train station for the city.
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Eco living is not just about big spreads. Density is the most sustainable way to live – less housing spreading into valuable productive land, fewer roads, fewer cars sitting in long commutes, closer communities for public transport or biking.
The new Summer Gardens apartment development in Takapuna’s Campbell Road is bringing 37 apartments with sustainable focus. Think roof mounted solar panels for hot water, energy efficient heating and cooling, smart lighting and home automation, as well as native planting, fruit trees, composting and vege growing. Jim Liu and Coy Zhao of Barfoot & Thompson are marketing one beds from $579,000 and two bed plus carpark for $989,000.
See how density is eco-frendly
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In Pyes Pa, Tauranga, Tremains agents Pam Holley and Bob Tullock are asking $788,000 for a 183 sq m eco house. It includes 16 solar panels for power, extra insulation, rain water tanks and raised gardens for your vegetables and fruit. There’s even a consented power connection to park the camper van and power to charge the electric car. Tiny utility bills and stylish living for sure.
See modern eco in the Bay of Plenty
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In Napier, Kathie Davies and Mathew Sinclair of Harcourts Taradale are marketing a sustainable property by deadline treaty. The eight-year-old house has solar hot water, a wood fire, reverse cycle air conditioning and bamboo flooring. There are fruit trees, a bore for water supply and an environmental septic system so you save on both utility costs and council rates.
See Hawkes Bay sustainable style
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Corina Collins of LJ Hooker Matamata is asking $1.45 million for a 292 sq m eco-house on on 1.5 hectares . The four bed, four bath house has gas fire, wood burner, heat pump and, best of all, 20 solar panels for low low winter bill. There’s a landscaped pond and cute red barn.
Skip the city for Waikato charm
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And if you’d like to know what your household’s carbon foot print adds up to, Enviro-Mark has calculator for your home energy use, travel (that’s private car, public transport and air travel) plus household waste.
