Building a high performance house
|
If, as legendary Swiss architect Le Corbusier once said, a house is simply a machine for living in, doesn't it make sense to develop your new house into a high performance one? These days there are many ways to build improved efficiencies into your new home or renovation. Some well-considered decisions at the beginning of the building process can pay off immeasurably in the long term. The concept of the high performance house is compatible with the current trend towards future-proofing. Future-proofing is a notion that is gathering increased momentum as more people become aware of its impact on the eventual re-sale value of their house. It's a fact that the new, better educated homeowner of tomorrow will expect more bang for their buck. Anyone who believes that cutting corners and skimping on the details won't affect them when it comes time to sell has another thing coming. According to Lester Haycock of Auckland company Construction Marketing Services it's vital to build with a sharp eye on the re-sale value. “Millions of dollars are currently being spent on marketing to and educating the new consumer. Anyone building a house today, whether they are the owners or the builder, needs to think from the head not the hip-pocket. It's all about building a better mousetrap to catch a far smarter mouse.” Future-proofing basically covers seven discrete areas. These are:
Energy efficiency is key because it's becoming clear that the traditional forms of energy such as gas and electricity are unlikely to get any cheaper in the future. Therefore, it's wise to consider different, more efficient methods of heating, lighting and insulating your new home. Areas to consider include insulation, glazing, passive solar heating and alternative energy, efficient hot water systems, window treatments, lighting and ventilation. Building health and safety is another important consideration. Given New Zealand's high incidence of asthma and allergy, better air-flow systems, healthy air conditioning, passive ventilation and products that control moisture are increasingly vital, along with anti-allergenic carpets and furnishings.
Space management, driven by the fact that the average section is considerably smaller on average than it once was, is becoming a priority. There is a requirement for better and more flexible use of space and home designs that work harder to deliver maximum storage and area utilisation. Efficient storage is almost a mandatory in today's more streamlined homes. Sound control is no longer simply a matter of shutting the front door and locking out the world. Today's homes generate more sources of noise than in the past and closer proximity to neighbours demands smarter noise-proofing solutions. Suitable noise control through insulation, building methods and materials is crucial. Building automation and security is becoming more affordable as the cost of digital technology falls. Future homes will include voice activation systems and central electronic ‘brains' to manage lighting, heating, security and access. Quality assurance will be a must in the eyes of the consumer and product compliance in relation to the requirements of BIA/BRANZ and ISO quality control will be considered the only acceptable standard. Life cycle costing allows for the consideration that building the cheapest home for your money is very seldom the most economical approach in the long run. Inferior products result in sub-standard homes, so products need to be costed on the basis of their durability. So, as you can see, the high performance house of tomorrow need not seem out of your reach. It's an investment in your own quality of life that will undoubtedly pay dividends when the time comes to move on to another home. At TV Showhomes we'll be keeping a keen eye on just how the whole future-proofing movement takes shape and we'll no doubt help you stay informed with news from Lester Haycock and his team at CMS as time goes on. |
