Build Connect supports the development of environmentally responsible, resilient homes that are energy efficient and use materials in a holistic manner. Your home should provide you with the comfortable, secure environment that you aspire to while not causing adverse impacts on the environment.

We support a range of initiatives including “Righthouse”, “Green Home Scheme” and “Eco Design Advisor” – we will work with you (and your budget) to establish the emphasis you wish to place on any or all of these schemes.

Below is a closer look at the key issues examined by the BRANZ Green Home Scheme. The percentage figures beside each category indicate its significance in terms of the number of credits associated with it. Note that only the key issues are included in this list.

Energy Use (34%):

...to reduce the rate at which fossil fuels are depleted by targeting both appliance and whole building energy efficiency.

SPECIFICS:

• Insulating the house at least 35% better than current requirements (equivalent to the 'Better insulation and better windows' category in Standards New Zealand publication SNZ PAS 4244).
• Positioning the living areas to face north.
• Including mass (i.e. concrete/stone) in the structure to be used as a heat sink.
• Utilising renewables (such as the sun or wind) for the home's hot water and space heating.

More Sustainable Materials (19%):

...to support the use of renewable resources and the careful management of non-renewables.

SPECIFICS:

• Specifying sustainably grown timbers for an integral part of the buildings structure.
• Using coating systems/carpets/thermal insulation which have a reduced environmental impact, compared to standard products.

Incorporating some major building items which are recycled products.

Water Economy (18%):

...to encourage the everyday and ongoing better management of a precious resource.

SPECIFICS:

• Sourcing of water from supplies which are independent of the town supply (e.g. harvesting rainwater, river water or ground-bore).
• Including water efficient devices in the home, such as AAA-rated products, black and grey-water recycling systems etc. (see http://www.watergurus.co.nz).

Health Related Issues (11%):

...to provide a healthy living environment for all.

SPECIFICS:

• Providing extract fans for minimising the spread of pollutants, odours and moisture from service areas.
• Providing extra methods for preventing injury and property damage caused by fire, above that required by the current Building Code e.g. hardwiring of smoke detectors.

Other Issues (18%):

...to ensure that the issues covered are comprehensive enough to provide an accurate indication of the house designs overall environmental performance.

SPECIFICS:

• Providing a recycling station for sorting household recyclables.
• Being in close proximity to public transport/key amenities.
• The development of an especially innovative measure or system which demonstrates good sustainable design.