New ratings system makes energy efficiency visible in homes
17 Dec 2007Home Energy Ratings will for the first time make the energy efficiency of a home visible and measurable.
The Home Energy Ratings now available to New Zealand homeowners will for the first time make the energy efficiency of a home easily visible and measurable, says Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority Chief Executive Mike Underhill.
Home Energy Ratings were officially launched today by the Government Spokesperson on Energy Efficiency and Conservation Jeanette Fitzsimons.
A home energy rating is an independent assessment of the energy performance of a home, expressed as a star rating. The assessment also includes expert recommendations about the most cost-effective ways to improve the home’s energy efficiency and reduce energy costs.
Mike Underhill gave two examples of assessments - a renovated 1930’s house rated three and a half stars, and a new home rated five stars.
“These show how the home energy ratings will give home owners, and home buyers, an easy to understand measure of energy efficiency.”
The older house is a 1930’s stucco brick bungalow in Point Chevalier, Auckland with a recent extension. The home’s extension has many good features that bring the home’s rating above average compared to houses of a similar era. The assessment process identified some areas for further improvement, particularly in the older part of the house where insulation levels could be improved.
The assessment report gives a list of recommendations that would increase the star rating, with the potential to reach six and a half stars with full insulation and double glazing on all windows.
The home owners, Matt and Megan, say the assessment has been a useful process.
“It’s been really good to sit down with someone who knows what they’re talking about and can tell you which things make the best sense cost-wise and are actually going to make a real difference to your power bills.”
A sample assessment of a new home rated a timber-framed two story show home, with wood and plaster cladding, at five stars.
“The five star rating is good. To get an extra star, the house would have to be better oriented on the section, to maximize passive heating from the sun. To get to seven stars, the house would need double glazing and fewer and smaller windows on the east and west. This highlights the value of getting an assessment at the design stage, while it’s still possible to adapt the plans”, says Mike Underhill.
Registered Master Builders Federation Chief Executive Pieter Burghout says the Federation supports this programme because it will help builders validate to their clients that they build quality homes that meet consumer demand.
“New Zealanders need to know how their homes stack up energy wise – and once they know, they will also need to know how to redesign their proposed new home or fix their existing home, should they want to do so.”
Mike Underhill says over the next few months, more assessors will be trained and start delivering assessments for homeowners across the country, and EECA will be working with some groups to rate properties, as it monitors the effectiveness of the programme.
For further information contact:
EECA Senior Communications Advisor - 04 4958269 or 027 222 2943
EECA Communications Advisor - 09 3743810 or 027 4061863
Where do I get a rating?
Select a qualified, independent assessor in your area, from the list on the website of the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (www.absa.net.nz).
What will it tell me?
You will receive an independent assessment of the energy performance of the home including how well the building’s design, construction and orientation enables it to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, and how efficient the space heating and water heating are.
You’ll get a star rating that will guide you in comparing one house to another.
And you’ll get expert recommendations about the most cost-effective ways to improve the home’s energy efficiency and reduce your energy costs.
What’s an average star rating?
An average old house will always rate lower than an average new home because building code standards have changed, materials have changed, and awareness of the value of building more efficient homes has increased. Individual houses of any particular age will vary but the following scale gives an indication of potential averages.
Older house (pre-1930’s) | 0-2 stars |
Pre 1978 home with ceiling insulation | 2-3 stars |
Post 1978 (after insulation became mandatory) | 3-4 stars |
New (current building code) | 4-6 stars |
The scale goes up to 10 stars to allow for future developments in energy efficiency.
Will I have to spend money to upgrade my house?
The information provided will help you make better decisions, but it’s up to you what you decide to do.
There is no “pass” or “fail” for Home Energy Ratings.
Why should I do this?
Getting a Home Energy Rating is voluntary, but it will help you if you’re thinking about building, renovating, or buying a home. The rating will help you see how your house is performing compared with other houses of its type, and enable you to prioritise any improvements. Doing it at the design stage of a new home is a great way to see how energy efficiency features can be incorporated into the final design. And improving your home’s energy performance ultimately means you stop wasting money on your energy bills and you enjoy a warmer, healthier home.
How much will it cost?
The cost is set by the assessor, and may vary depending on things like the size, location and complexity of the home. It is recommended you get quotes from more than one assessor, as you would with any service.
Where do I find out more?
Visit the energywise website of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) www.energywise.govt.nz or the independent Association of Building Sustainability Assessors www.absa.net.nz.
Does it rate the house itself, or the people who live in the house?
It is an assessment of the energy performance of the house itself, not how the people in the house choose to use energy. We all use our homes in different ways – how much heating we use, how long we shower for etc. Some average assumptions for how people use energy go into the rating calculations. This ensures every home is assessed on the same basis and ratings are consistent and comparable across the country.
What will it do to the value of my home?
If your home gets a good rating, it may command a premium in the market – having a warm, dry house that’s cheap to run is a good selling point. This is one of the aspects the Government wants more information about before making any decisions on whether the scheme becomes compulsory. At the moment, market values don’t clearly reflect the energy efficiency of a house, because that information’s not easily available.
