Not sure I’d consider Wellington or Rotorua any more damp than Christchurch or Auckland in the winter. Much of NZ is nearly 100% RH in the winter for at least part of the day – which is why ventilation AND heating is required for health. https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/undoctored/bridging-gap-healthy-homes “It’s great to see the Ministries working on this,” says Letitia. “Our mission is …
23 July 2019 Yes, your brand new house could be cold and damp
An example of a legally code minimum compliant new house that is cold and damp. Look at the photo of the condensation dripping off of the new double glazed windows. They saved only a few percent off of a new building which could’ve been designed, built and then Certified as a quality Passive House. “To live with minimal natural light …
21 July 2019 Stuff’s Chris Hutching: New houses have cladding and joinery that lasts just 15 years
That title is a bit clickbaity but true. NZBC says the bits of house that are easily replaced only have to last 15 years. Twisted funny that this includes the entire cladding of the home but true. Now you can spec a cladding that will last 100 years or 40 years but it’ll usually cost more up front. If all …
11 July 2019 MBIE: R&D tax incentive: What’s eligible and how to claim
NZ Tax Credit for Research & Design uses designing to meet Passive House energy standard as an example of something that is known “and there is no scientific or technological uncertainty in” designing to meet the standard. “Case Study R&D eligibility” “Example ineligible R&D based on existing knowledge Mike and Fulia design and build houses. In response to market demand, …
Waikato (Taupiri) expoHaus is up for sale!
Announced in the eHaus winter 2019 newsletter: “We noted, with interest, the Waikato expoHaus today registered 19.5 degrees inside as the staff arrived for work, with an outside temperature of just 4 degrees. There was also no heating used over night! We get excited imagining when PassivHaus becomes the NZ minimum code, allowing all Kiwis to thrive in warm, healthy …
4 July 2019 NZ Herald: What it’s like living in a home with no insulation: Condensation, mould and large power bills
“Six months ago I moved house and didn’t think too much about the state of insulation and heating in our new rental home. It was the middle of summer in humid Auckland and the 1950’s weatherboard house seemed to retain heat well. The landlord enthusiastically pointed out the heat pump – while only briefly mentioning there was no insulation as …
02 July 2019 Scoop: Doctors welcome rules making insulation the norm in rentals
“Installing insulation in a house can have a 6:1 cost benefit ratio for the very young and the very old – these people are our most vulnerable, and they spend the most time indoors,” said Dr Jeff Brown, NZ President of the RACP and a paediatrician at Palmerston North Hospital. “I see young children ending up in hospital suffering from …
29 June 2019 Otago Daily Times’ Kim Dungey: Homely as it gets
Great article on the Hawera Passive House build that is the first in New Zealand to target the Passive House Premium build. We are looking forward to reviewing the final documentation and, if they meet the standard, awarding them the first Passive House Premium certification. Great team with a well designed home and we wish them well. View Case Study …
28 June 2019 RNZ: Family desperate to leave freezing HNZ home
“It just feels like you’re camping outside, that’s what it is,” she said. She said the small lounge heater provided by HNZ – the home’s only heat source – did nothing to warm it, and was too expensive to run. The family open the windows every morning to help air the house out – but that also means the cold …