[The Hodges]

I'm not going to pass comment, but for those that are interested "A new website, designed to help New Zealanders live in healthier, cosier and more cost-effective homes, was launched today [21 June 2007] by Energy Minister David Parker.

"Mr Parker says the Smarter Homes website (www.smarterhomes.org.nz) offers advice on how to have a home that’s more sustainable, both environmentally and financially."

The press release is at the government website (http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=29819) and the website it at Smarter Homes (www.smarterhomes.org.nz).

[kanatakiwi]

We recently met some people at the Canada Day breakfast who are doing energy efficient homes. They are from Alberta Canada and know a thing or two about building a warm dry home in NZ using techniques and standards from North America such as double glazing, heat pumps, proper insulation etc.
their names are Ron and Joy and website is www.eehnz.co.nz
have a look.
G

[KerryS]

We recently met some people at the Canada Day breakfast who are doing energy efficient homes. They are from Alberta Canada and know a thing or two about building a warm dry home in NZ using techniques and standards from North America such as double glazing, heat pumps, proper insulation etc.
their names are Ron and Joy and website is www.eehnz.co.nz
have a look.
G


I think it was SamB who looked at using this company to build a house. (I bookmarked it from someone here, I'm sure.)
I'm still in two minds over whether to bowl our current place (a 1950s pre-fab villa-esque type affair!) or do a really decent conversion. I'm hedging for the conversion, but the cost is pretty similar whichever we opt for.

I'm going to have a good look through the new smarter homes website and see if there is anything we have missed that we should incorporate into our plans.

[swissmissdesigner]

Excellent websites!:nice1
Thanks for both of you!!

cheers:

anna

[Super_BQ]

I would be curious to see how much it would cost to build a Canadian energy efficient home in NZ? I'm sure those workers at www.eehnz.co.nz would know about R2000 techniques.

My guess would be double the cost of the typical new kiwi home.

[John Z]

I'm not going to pass comment, but for those that are interested "A new website, designed to help New Zealanders live in healthier, cosier and more cost-effective homes, was launched today [21 June 2007] by Energy Minister David Parker.

"Mr Parker says the Smarter Homes website (www.smarterhomes.org.nz) offers advice on how to have a home that’s more sustainable, both environmentally and financially."

The press release is at the government website (http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=29819) and the website it at Smarter Homes (www.smarterhomes.org.nz).

Thanks a lot for sharing! :cheers
And a great NZ governmental initiative. :clap
Can't wait to start building, but hm, first things first...

John Z

[kanatakiwi]

I would be curious to see how much it would cost to build a Canadian energy efficient home in NZ? I'm sure those workers at www.eehnz.co.nz would know about R2000 techniques.

My guess would be double the cost of the typical new kiwi home.

some of the prices seem quite reasonable.
G

[John Z]

........

My guess would be double the cost of the typical new kiwi home.

Depends on what you think is the typical new kiwi home and all the other variables related to the costs of building a house. A smart house IMO, does also include "low cost" (and even that is relative :) ), meaning more than just "cost-effective". It makes a huge difference whether you think of typical kiwi-houses doing 100K or 300K or ... And why would you compare to a "Canadian house", does it have the same climate? For some places maybe, but surely not for most.

(As you know it's easy to build an energyefficient house with an open budget. It becomes challenging, interesting when you make it affordable for most people.)

:cheers John Z

[John Z]

Well, I'm a bit amazed...

Nowhere in the "Smarter Homes" website is mentioned that most stonelike buildingmaterials give of "radon" (a daughter product of radium). Radon particles are the cause of about 800 deaths (related to lungcancer) per year in the Netherlands only! Even the Dutch government admits it, not by spreading the word, but they do research and have public reports.

So why is it that this is not mentioned? (No, they're not stupid)

John Z

Estimates of Ra-226 concentration in building materials
Material Ra-226 Concentration (pCi/gram)

Wood 0.03
Concrete 0.43-1.65
Brick 1.1-2.6
Tile 2.1
Wall Board
-- Natural gypsum 0.11-0.27
-- Phosphogypsum 0.73
Insulating Material (glass wool) (a) 0.35-1.1

[Nathan]

"A new website, designed to help New Zealanders live in healthier, cosier and more cost-effective homes, was launched today [21 June 2007] by Energy Minister David Parker....
"

Thanks! :cheers