These pages: The snug home
recently received a Six Homestar™
rating from the New Zealand Green
Building Council. It benefits from a
fully insulated MaxRaft foundation,
as well as increased insulation in
exterior walls (R4.2) and ceilings
(R5.2). The single storey home has
four bedrooms,
two bathrooms, a media room,
and laundry.
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spokesperson for the green-focussed build firm.
“This is seen in the home’s high Homestar
Six rating. Homestar is the New Zealand Green
Building Council independent rating tool that
certifies the health, efficiency and sustainability
of New Zealand homes,” says Numaguchi.
Several factors combine to achieve this green
rating, which translates in practical terms to a
snug, warm home and very low power bills.
A fully insulated concrete subfloor covered
in engineered wood amasses passive solar gain
when the sun shines and releases this back into
the interior at night. The floor is also warmed
through efficient hydronic underfloor heating.
Picture windows facing south on the shady
side of the home offer spectacular views of the
lake – but in an ordinary home could present
a potential loss of heat. However, thermally
broken aluminium joinery on this Evolution-
built home ensures that the warm air inside
does not escape, as no actual heat-conducting
element runs directly from inside to out. This
system also minimises condensation which has
its own health implications. At the same time,
argon-filled double-glazing keeps the interior
warm and dry, making it possible to capitalise