Planning a new home provides an ideal opportunity to consider energy efficiency. With the right design and materials you could save hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs and make your home more comfortable and healthier.
It's a concept endorsed by the New Zealand Climate Change Office. Director Judy Lawrence says people building a new home are in a good position to make choices that will bring about such change.
"For the best results, it pays to start right at the design stage," she says. "This is the time to choose not only the layout, but also the materials, heating, lighting and even appliances, bearing in mind the energy efficiency of different products."
Your architect should be familiar with energy efficiency planning, but Robert Tromop of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) suggests a few points to consider.
The first, and most important, is to ensure your house is oriented to the sun, with living areas on the north side.
"We suggest you aim to get six hours of sunshine or bright daylight, in the main windows each day," says Tromop. "Extending your house along an east-west axis will maximise solar gain."
Tromop says your largest windows should be north-facing to make the best use of the sun's heat in winter. Shading or overhangs will help keep the sun at bay in summer, reducing overheating. East-facing windows are recommended, as they bring in heat from the morning sun. Conversely, Tromop suggests avoiding large west-facing windows, as these can cause your home to overheat. Similarly, avoid south-facing windows, as they will lose more heat than gain.
Double-glazing something that is taken for granted in colder countries is worth considering, especially if you live in colder parts of New Zealand or have views you don't want to block with curtains.