First emissions reduction plan heading in right direction on buildings

The long-awaited first Emissions Reduction Plan was published yesterday and media commentators are rushing to dissect it. I liked that the foreword describes the problem as also an opportunity: “a...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Jul 2022

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QuickSet all set for updated H1 requirements

Here’s a great summary from QuickSet outlining its practical formwork/insulation solutions that fit with the increased H1 requirements. This includes heated slabs. We’re proud to have helped with these developments,...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Jul 2022

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Stärke makes recessed window install clear

It’s great to see the data from our work on the High-Performance Construction Details Handbook being used to improve the industry. Starke is a window fabricator that has got on...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Jul 2022

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BRANZ edition of HPCD out now

It’s great to finally pin a bow on this project and call it done. The final version of the HPCD (the High Performance Construction Details Handbook) has now been fully reviewed...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: May 2022

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Be a certification pro

Passive House certification offers many benefits and the cost is tiny relative to the whole budget for a new home. As a Passive House designer, you can make the process...

by Sara Wareing

Updated: Apr 2022

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Lazy overglazing is causing expensive problems

What is it with glass? Buildings in Australia and New Zealand tend to be over-glazed. Is it because huge windows look good in the renders and are a quick go-to...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Apr 2022

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Carbon budget modelled for NZ new builds and existing stock

This is an excellent paper on modelling the carbon emitted by New Zealand homes during construction and use against the IPCC 1.5 degree emission targets. The authors follow population weighting...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

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Fuel poverty harms mental health too

Living in a cold house you can’t afford to heat causes physical health problems, up to and including premature death. There’s plenty of evidence supporting this and I’m grateful to...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

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Why Passive House costs more

If you’ve met Christchurch Passive House builder Peter Bielski, you’ll know he’s a man of few and well-chosen words, not minced. His company is involved in an ambitious project to...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

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Healthy Homes Standard tweaked

A December 3 announcement on changes to the Healthy Homes Standard solves one of the issues caused by this well intentioned legislation. We were designing absolutely best practice apartments, which...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

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New thermal performance data for NZ timber window profiles

Consulting with building component manufacturers to help them make good products even better is a favourite activity for the Sustainable Engineering team. Lunds Joinery, a highly-regarded family-owned company in Timaru,...

by Rachel Rose

Updated: Dec 2021

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Loopholes in H1 changes?

To be clear folks: H1/AS1 housing changes apply to all housing, even apartment buildings of any size**. BPI (Building Performance Index) is no longer a permitted compliance method. Curtain walls...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: May 2022

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NZ “outsulation” guide now available

Now available: the Outsulation Guide for High Performance Walls, brought to you by Outright, suppliers of continuous insulation. Sustainable Engineering provided the thermal modelling calculations and I enjoyed the discussions...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

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Energy efficiency will improve

Today we have it: the new H1 has been released. I no longer need to keep it all secret and can finally talk about the new energy efficiency requirements. Note...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Nov 2021

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Airtight building resources

Here’s an excellent resource on planning, training, mocking-up and doing QA on an airtight building project. It’s very graphical and has great links to even more resources.  There’s video as...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2021

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Homestar V5 a huge improvement

The just-released Homestar V5 tool is going to lift the performance of homes using the NZ Green Building Council (NZGBC) rating system because the PHPP software is now the engine...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

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Generic slab edges default should be B’/2=2m

A slab edge is one of the most common thermal bridges we see in New Zealand. In a traditional timber framed building on a concrete slab, the perimeter thermal bridge...

by Toby Brooke

Updated: May 2021

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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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