New Zealand homes are slightly less cold in winter compared to 20 years ago. More New Zealanders appear to be heating at least some bedrooms, some of the time, to some extent. That’s the good news in the preliminary results from the HEEP2 study. It’s faint good news, given other findings. About a fifth of those surveyed said they could …
Useful advice on avoiding household mould
The prevalence of mould in New Zealand houses is a disgrace but it’s also not unique, as this American paper in the latest ASHRAE journal makes clear. The author claims about a third of older and newer single-family homes in the US north-west have visible mould, as these images graphically show. The article outlines causes but also proposes solutions, with …
Architects get hands on
I love it when architects are genuinely curious about construction, even more when they get hands on. Auckland architects Sophie Hermann and Julie Chrystall signed up for two days of installer training at Pro Clima’s training hub and were also onsite for the blower door testing at Seaward House in Auckland. That was Space Division’s first Passive House build. “We …
The underlay dilemma: getting it right under your metal roof
When it comes to constructing or renovating a roof with metal cladding in New Zealand, one crucial component often overlooked until problems arise is the underlay. An awesome overview document from metal roofing manufacturers (published in 2011) titled “The Underlay Dilemma” highlights the critical role underlays play in the long-term performance and durability of your roof. I especially loved the …
Air Sealing with sealant and backing rod – YES you need both
When it comes to keeping our buildings weathertight and preventing unwanted airflow, the humble air seal plays a vital role. The duo of sealant and backing rod are one option to achieving this around windows and doors. But how do they work together, and why bother with both? One of the primary reasons we meticulously install an air seal is …
Benchmarking a Path to Decarbonisation for Aged Care
EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) has launched a valuable resource (2023) to support the aged care and retirement living sector on its decarbonisation journey. The suite of tools and resources, developed with input from the Retirement Village Association of New Zealand (RVA), aims to help facilities reduce their emissions sector-wide. We’ve worked with several retirement community providers in the …
Understanding Our Energy Use: The RBS as a Foundation
When we talk about how much energy our homes in Australia and New Zealand consume, chances are the data underpinning those discussions comes from the Residential Baseline Study (RBS). As highlighted in the recent methodology report for the 2021 update (RBS2.0), this study is a bottom-up engineering, end-use energy model of our residential sectors. Essentially, it builds up a picture …
Canada tackles the massive task of greening its buildings
We often look to other countries for examples and lessons learned in the push towards sustainable buildings. A recent article in Canada’s National Observer (July 2024) highlights the significant challenge and opportunity facing Canada in transforming its building industry to meet net-zero targets by 2050. The built environment, including construction, materials, and operations, accounts for nearly 30% of Canada’s greenhouse …
Heat Pump Hot Water Heaters: They Move Heat, So Think About Where That Cold Air Goes!
We’re seeing more and more folks making the smart switch to heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) to slash those energy bills – and rightly so, especially if you’re a hot water fiend. But a recent Insight from the legendary Dr. Joseph Lstiburek serves as a crucial reminder: these aren’t your grandma’s resistance element heaters. Think about it: heat pumps pump …