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A Superhome design provides you a superior living environment for the life of the home and savings from day one. What makes a superior design and how to avoid faulty design.
SuperFloor... Slab fully insulated edge with no thermal bridging.
Suspended floors fully insulated floor systems, airtight and earthquake resilient.
SuperWall high-performance wall systems and Panels. EcoPanel and Cross Laminated timber (CLT) floors and roofs. Rapid construction, weather-tight, resilient and efficient
Windows are the greatest heat loss. SuperWindow recessed windows provide huge energy and comfort benefit and eliminate condensation causing weeping windows etc.
Super- insulation reduces heat loss (and gain) with higher levels of insulation and airtightness, along with minimising thermal bridging to create a superior thermal envelope.
Airtight construction and building materials to minimise heat loss and eliminate moisture and mold in the wall and roof assembies etc... Proper MHRV ventilation is required in airtight buildings.
Proper ventilation is critical for health, safety, and comfort but also for the durability and longevity and protection of the building from decay.
A whole building integrated design system thinking approach is required.
Energy efficient heating, such as hydronic underfloor that is solar powered and integrated with hot water heating is a super efficient option
All Superhomes have rainwater harvesting. Some also have greywater recycling. Use water efficient taps and fittings and energy recovery drains. Permeable landscape to reduce stormwater runoff
Use renewable energy sources with energy efficient fittings and appliances, and automated smart controls to restrict energy use to times when it is needed
Every two minutes the sun gives the earth more energy than is used annually. Solar works best when integrated into the design to either be used while generated or stored.
Use ethically sourced, natural materials that are environmentally certified. Avoid red-listed and toxic materials. Minimse waste and ensure the home is resilient and future focused
Minimise your carbon footprint by having food producing plants and native landscaping. Permeable paving and appropriate planting to reduce stormwater load
Design orientated for correct solar gain with shading optimised to prevent overheating. Planning and layout for sun and light access. Biophilic design
Homestar rates sustainability. Passive House models predicted thermal performance. Blower door tests verify the build quality airtightness. Monitoring confirms built performance.
A Superhome is a home that is roughly double the energy efficiency of the current NZ building code
The current NZ building code is roughly equivalent to a Homestar 3 rating. Superhomes are between 7 and 10 Homestar rated.
In general, Superhomes have good design - the home must be fit or purpose, functional, and it should be delightful and comfortable to live in as well as beautiful and something to pass on to generations. Superhomes must be resilient - the home must be built with the future in mind, durable enough to stand for more than 100 years, and resilient enough to withstand earthquakes and severe weather. Superhomes must be green - socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable to build and run.
Superhomes must be energy efficient - economical to run, and aim to be energy positive for the life of the building. Superhomes must promote good health of the people who live there.
DOWNLOAD guide to creating a SUPERHOME.PDF
NZ's first 10 star home
Church Square, Christchurch is the location of NZ's first 10 Homestar rated home. Designed by Bob Burnett Architecture.
