Queenstown company Rilean Construction has received a six-star Homestar rating for its latest eco-friendly evolution series home.
Situated at Arthur’s Point, the Mark Gray-designed house is the second in the district to achieve the rating. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home was completed in late 2013 and includes energy efficiency as well as attractive design.
The six stars was awarded after an independent evaluator certified all areas of the home for efficiencies in the areas of water, waste, materials, energy health and comfort, and management of the site.
The first Rilean home to win the high rating is in Speargrass Flat Road.
Most homes in New Zealand are three to four stars at best, according to Rilean Construction director and shareholder Mick Moffatt.
The Homestar rating agency is a joint venture between BRANZ and the New Zealand Green Building Council, developed to give a single accreditation rating to New Zealand homes.
Features include thermal breaks, solar hot water, LED lighting, 150mm thick insulated airtight walls and argon filled double glazed aluminium windows.
Mr Moffat says he expects electricity and heating costs will be just $1300 a year. This house was designed and positioned to harness passive solar gain, so the garage is on the southwest to maximise north orientation for living and bedroom spaces. A feature concrete block wall divides the kitchen and lounge area, while adding thermal mass for heating and cooling. Mr Moffatt expects Rilean to come up with even higher performing features in future.
The company is looking to Christchurch as a big market over the next 18 months as people re-build there.