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

  • Certification Guidance
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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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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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More Passive House certifiers in NZ

Jason Quinn of Sustainable Engineering Ltd has been New Zealand’s sole Passive House certifier for five years but he’s no longer alone in the job. Toby Brooke and Sara Wareing...

by Rachel Rose

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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