Eco-renovation

How to do an eco-reno 
without it costing the earth

Do eco-renovations cost more than regular renovations? And are they really worth it?
 
It depends on how you look at it. What price do you put on your family’s health and well-being? And on the future of our planet? The good news is that by thinking about sustainability, energy efficiency and your family’s health when you’re planning your renovations, you can make a difference without spending as much as you may have thought.

Bob Burnett had had enough. His children got sick “bouncing around substandard rentals” after the Christchurch earthquake. His three-year-old daughter developed asthma as a result. So Bob decided to do something about it. 


He founded the Superhome movement , a not-for-profit, industry-led initiative that aims to normalise energy-efficient, sustainable homes in New Zealand. And he built the home you see at right for his family. It’s New Zealand’s first 10-star Homestar rated home, and it has thick walls, triple-glazed windows, recycled rainwater and greywater, solar-power for both the house and an electric vehicle, and an energy drain in the shower.


“We took the heat energy out of the wastewater that goes down the shower, then we recycled the water,” Bob told Jesse Mulligan of Radio New Zealand .

Clearly this house cost Bob more than if he had designed a “normal” Kiwi house. But to him, it wasn’t about the money. 

 

“It’s a real serious health issue,” he says. “We've got preventable illnesses and diseases in New Zealand that other countries just don't have or they have in much smaller numbers.”


Other considerations in renovating your home in a healthier, more eco-friendly way include incorporating better natural lighting, passive solar heating, air-tightness and a stronger connection with the outdoor environment.

 

“The key to getting the best value from these improvements as well as all the other benefits they bring starts at the design stage,” says Pzazz Building’s Christchurch North and Central affiliate, Matt Coffey .

Despite being an experienced builder and Licensed Building Practitioner, Matt is one of Pzazz Building’s younger affiliates.


“I’ve lived in my share of draughty old rentals,” he says, “and recently I bought an older place to do up, so I understand the issues involved with many New Zealand homes. That’s given me a passion for good home design and efficient, healthy housing.”


“Obviously we at Pzazz Building can redesign and recreate your whole home to Homestar’s highest standards, but if your budget doesn’t stretch that far, there are many ways to incorporate cost-effective solutions into your overall renovation plan.

Most New Zealanders are interested in living and building sustainably, but moving away from our ‘quick bang for buck’ mindset is a challenge, according to Melinda Williams, author of Eco Home.


Melinda wrote the book after she couldn’t find all the information she needed about eco-renovating her 1970s Auckland house in one place. She sees sustainable building as an investment which more than pays for itself in terms of your family’s health, comfort and lifestyle, as well as adding value when you come to sell.


It may cost more, she says – Bob Burnett estimates 10%, depending on how far you want to go – but taking your home to a 6 or 7 Homestar rating will save you $800 to $1000 in bills every year after that. 

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