Building in Wanaka in 2024-2025? Why you should build a Passive Home.
Building in Wanaka in 2024-2025?
Why You Should Build a Passive Home
Rather than beating around the bush with all the fancy science and technology behind it, we’re going to come right out and say it.
If you’re building in Wanaka in 2024 or 2025, we reckon you should build a Passive Home. Are we biased because we build them? Perhaps, because we don’t have one ourselves and I wish we did! If we were to build again - it’s 100% what we would be doing.
This summer has highlighted to us the stark difference in comfort, energy consumption and general wellbeing you can experience in a Passive Home versus a ‘normal’ home in Wanaka. Its astounding. And quite frankly we can’t believe the majority of people are still building houses that just scrape by the new New Zealand building code.
With Scotland's initiative to mandate passive standards for all new homes by 2024, we’re seeing a global shift towards more responsible building practices.
As we look towards 2024/2025, let's delve into the world of passive homes – efficient, sustainable, and increasingly relevant in today's building landscape.
It’s what we wish we had known when we built our home just a few years ago…let’s get into it.
Got a question? Don’t overthink it. Reach out. You might be surprised at what’s possible.
But, in the meantime. Let’s explore why this is significant for us in Wanaka.
Passive Homes feel a lot more luxurious than you may think. Explore our Kelliher Drive Project for more insights.
Consistent Comfort in Wanaka’s Diverse Climate
In Wanaka, we experience a diverse range of weather conditions. Passive homes are designed to provide a consistently comfortable indoor environment, typically maintaining temperatures between 20-25°C throughout the year.
This is achieved without heavily relying on active heating or cooling, which is a testament to the efficiency of passive design, as endorsed by the Passivhaus Trust.
Our Kelliher Drive project is a prime example, where the homeowners enjoy a stable and comfortable climate indoors, irrespective of the seasonal extremes outside.
Significant Energy Savings
On the financial front, passive homes can reduce energy costs by up to 90% compared to conventional homes.
The Kelliher Drive project in Wanaka exemplifies this, where homeowners have reported substantially lower energy bills, thanks to the home's advanced insulation and energy-efficient design. This efficiency is not just beneficial; it's a vital consideration in our times of escalating energy costs.
Comfort and Health: The Heart of Passive Homes
The serene and quiet living environment of the Kelliher Drive home, where the sound insulation is so effective that owners sometimes need a white noise machine, speaks volumes about the comfort and health benefits. The consistent warmth underfoot, as if there is underfloor heating, is a testament to the passive home's ability to provide a healthier living environment without excessive heating.
Uncompromised Quality and Sustainability
A key aspect of passive homes is the rigorous testing they undergo to ensure quality. This includes tests for airtightness and overall build quality, ensuring that every passive home we build, meets the highest standards.
Furthermore, we prioritise the use of sustainable materials wherever possible, and follow a holistic approach to building. We work with suppliers that help us keep building waste to an absolute minimum and manage it effectively.
Sustainable Materials and Longevity
Each passive home we build, including our projects like Kelliher Drive, is more than just an energy-efficient structure; it's a commitment to sustainable living.
By incorporating eco-friendly materials and practices, we ensure that each home is not only energy-efficient but also has a reduced environmental impact, contributing to a healthier living environment.
Future-Proofing for Generations
Building a passive house in Wanaka means creating a legacy for future generations. The Kelliher Drive project, with its use of low VOC paints from Porter Paints and Tasmanian Oak from Genia Architectural Wood Products, illustrates how such homes are not only sustainable but also aesthetically luxurious, comparable to living in a "luxury hotel," as described by the homeowners.
As well as the aesthetics, you’re building a home that will stand the test of time, not only for the next generation but for the ever-evolving housing market. We know homes built in 2022 that would no longer meet New Zealand’s minimum building standards. The last thing you want when you come to sell a home in Wanaka is a home that’s considered ‘bottom of the barrel’ when it comes to building standards by the time you come to sell it.
In Summary
As we move into 2024/2025, embracing the passive home standard in Wanaka is a smart choice.
It’s about creating homes that are comfortable, energy-efficient, built to the highest quality, and sustainable, like our Kelliher Drive project.
Let's join the forward-thinking global community in adopting building practices that benefit us today and safeguard our environment for future generations.