The take-back effect
Folks are illogical. Including me. I think a fizzy drink should cost about $1 and don’t want to pay more—but $5 for a coffee is alright. Weird. Well it turns...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Mar 2026
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Energy-efficient builds increase sales price: Aus study
I’m often asked for data on the price premium a certified Passive House would command compared to the same house built to the legal minimum requirements of the New Zealand...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Mar 2026
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Passive House performance would fix the dry winter energy problem
The stumbling block to a fully renewable energy grid in New Zealand is what to do in a dry winter, when electrical demand peaks but there’s not enough water in...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Jun 2021
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Passive House Climate Files for NZ
As of 13 December 2017 there are six additional PHI certified climate files for NZ. These now cover all of NZ including the Chatham Islands. It is important to note...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Mar 2026
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Health burden of cold damp houses costs millions every year
I’ve often wondered in the past exactly what percentage of New Zealand’s health burden is due to our damp and cold homes. Well I obviously didn’t look in the right...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: May 2021
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Lessons from failed UK retrofit programmes
This excellent top-level round-up of multiple UK retrofit programmes sadly reveals how many were really poorly done. The most recent was a politically driven voucher system that lasted less than...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Mar 2026
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Ireland nails affordable Passive House
They won’t win points for style, but these semi-detached, two-storey Irish homes fit seamlessly amongst their neighbours. This is a very familiar UK building style, now made better: both Passive...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: May 2021
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MBIE responds to climate change consultation
MBIE has provided its initial feedback based on consultation with industry on its “Building for climate change”. There are some promising signs from industry as the snapshot below indicates. We...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Mar 2026
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Join US expert on marketing PH to homeowners
I’m looking forward to this seminar on how to effectively market Passive House and encourage those working on and designing Passive Houses to attend. This Zoom seminar is hosted by...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Mar 2026
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HPCD summaries released by BRANZ
If you haven’t already reviewed the technical draft of our High-Performance Construction Details (HPCD) Handbook, BRANZ has just published two great summaries that pull out the high-performance wall and roof...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Mar 2026
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Aus Passive House vs passive solar misses the point
If you haven’t heard about the Passive Solar versus Passive House bash up argument in Australia, you missed an entertaining example of people talking past each other. I am reminded...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Apr 2021
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Leaky buildings aren’t over: thermal bridges create moisture issues
PREDOS director Rory Crosbie’s article in BRANZ’s Build magazine mostly argues for a national home warranty scheme based on the Canadian model. He does briefly touch on the inadequacy of...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Apr 2021
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Does what it says on the tin
A study in the UK of 97 certified Passive House projects shows predicted heating demand was accurate in both flats and houses. Measurements were recorded for over a year of...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Apr 2021
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“Must do better”: Education Ministry sets new standards for school buildings
The Ministry of Education manages a huge property portfolio (>15,000 buildings, 2100 sites, >$31 billion replacement value). There are a lot of problem buildings, including some that are only a...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Apr 2021
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We can build Passive House quality for the same price as Code-minimum: here’s proof
Joe Lyth is an Auckland based architect and newly-minted Passive House designer. He’s also an UK import who looks on the crappy homes New Zealanders put up with through an...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Mar 2026
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NZ’s first Passive House subdivision
Bushland Park is a new subdivision south-west of the Christchurch city centre, at the foot of the Port Hills and all its 12 homes are targeting Passive House performance. Given...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Mar 2026
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Worthwhile training course: next week!
I highly recommend attending the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors’ training day in Auckland on 20 March. You’ll hear about Kāinga Ora moving to low carbon building at scale,...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Mar 2026
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First, use less energy: #EfficiencyFirst!
The International Passive House Association (iPHA) has launched a campaign called #EfficiencyFirst! It makes the case for focusing on energy efficiency first, before increasing renewable energy. This makes sense from...
by Jason Quinn
Updated: Mar 2021
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