Passive House Concept Creates Healthier Homes and Reduces Electricity Costs
Growing in popularity worldwide, energy efficient “passive homes” have made it to New Zealand now, too. Matamata has the first certified “passive home” and the second in the Waikato.
A German Technique Used to Create Energy Efficiency
Made of triple-glazed windows, extra thick walls, plenty of insulation and other technologies, a PassivHaus (Passive House) is a German technique used to create an airtight, energy-efficient building.
Using climate data collected from Niwa and NASA, architects design a home that’s suitable to the exact climate and building site.
In passive homes, the heat lost and gained from sunlight and insulation is controlled to reach the optimum year-round temperature of about 20 degrees. The homes regulate their own temperature regardless of outside temperatures, with little or no active heating or cooling.
As a result, the home’s interior is consistently comfortable, healthy and dry.
Reduce Electricity Costs
In addition to creating a healthier living environment, passive houses reduce electricity costs, too.
The owner of the Passive House in Matamata has seen energy costs in his 1920s refurbished home decrease over $200 each month!
Building Industry Benefits from Passive Builds
A passive home performs three or four times better than newly built homes.
Compared to an average home build, there are many different elements involved when building a passive home.
Although more challenging than building a traditional home, the end results are more than worthwhile!
Passive Homes Provide Long-Term Value
Since building costs in New Zealand are already expensive, many people do not even consider building a passive home – which costs even more.
A homeowner considering building a passive home needs to realize that although it initially costs more to build, a healthier, more comfortable home with lower running costs will be enjoyed over the long-term.
Once homeowners realize the long-term value, the higher cost associated with designing and building a passive home becomes easier to absorb.
Switchme Can Save You on Energy Costs!
Looking for a less cost-intensive way than building a passive home to lower your home’s energy costs? If so, have you considered using Switchme’s services?
By using an online system that easily compares alternate energy suppliers, easily see what switching energy companies can do to your monthly energy bill!
Contact us today to learn more about why we’re the largest, non-government funded energy switching site!