What is a High-Performance Home?
Fundamental features of Passive House as found in the Dunedin Cohousing project, which is currently under construction (diagram from “Passive House for New Zealand” by Jason Quinn, 2019).
A high performance home is one constructed in a way that maximises energy efficiency. When building this type of home, our focus is on delivering a comfortable and well-ventilated home that’s both energy efficient and very quiet. Homes of any size or style can be built to this high standard using a range of different techniques and materials.
Thermal Modelling
The energy efficiency of a high-performance home can be accurately predicted and verified prior to commencing construction. This is achieved using energy modelling software, which allows for any changes to be made at the design stage, rather than during construction, saving on costly changes to plans.
The energy efficiency of a high-performance home can be accurately predicted and verified prior to commencing construction. This is achieved using energy modelling software, which allows for any changes to be made at the design stage, rather than during construction, saving on costly changes to plans.
Image of a blower door test to assess for air tightness (image from “Passive House for New Zealand” by Jason Quinn, 2019).
How do you construct a High-Performance home?
The high standard of energy efficiency and comfort you can expect from a High-Performance home is achieved primarily through a focus on a high-performance building envelope or building shell. The following elements are crucial to achieving this.
Airtightness
The interior of the building is encased in an airtightness layer. This layer prevents the loss of heat and draughts, as well as preventing moisture damage to the building’s structure. The level of airtightness can be assessed using the blower door test, as shown in the image above.
High quality insulation
To prevent heat loss and to stabilise the internal temperature, floors, walls and ceilings are thoroughly insulated. The level of insulation is determined directly by the climate zone the home is being built in. This means that a home in Auckland will require a very different level of insulation to one built in Queenstown.
High performance windows and doors
To ensure optimum thermal performance and airtightness, windows and doors must meet strict criteria. Double glazing is a minimum standard, and triple glazing may be specified in certain parts of the country. The type of framing and the way it’s installed are also important considerations for achieving a high-performance home. Windows that meet these standards are available in a range of different frame materials.
Thermal bridge-free zone
Thermal bridges, also known as cold bridges or heat bridges, reduce the energy efficiency of a building by letting precious heat escape homes in winter and allowing unwelcome heat to penetrate homes in summer. In standard construction, thermal bridging can occur where the foundation meets the walls, the walls meet the ceiling, around window and door frames and where steel columns are used. The design of your high-performance home will include specific design details that prevent thermal bridging.
Mechanical ventilation
A continuous mechanical ventilation system to filter dust, pollen and pollution from incoming air is vital in a high-performance home. A heat exchange system then recovers around 90% of the warmth in the air before it’s removed from the home. Additional heating or cooling elements can also be added to manage temperatures.
These elements combine to deliver a world-leading home that is comfortable, well-ventilated and requires very little energy to run.
If you want to find out more about building a better home for your family, get in touch with the Craft Homes team today.
The high standard of energy efficiency and comfort you can expect from a High-Performance home is achieved primarily through a focus on a high-performance building envelope or building shell. The following elements are crucial to achieving this.
Airtightness
The interior of the building is encased in an airtightness layer. This layer prevents the loss of heat and draughts, as well as preventing moisture damage to the building’s structure. The level of airtightness can be assessed using the blower door test, as shown in the image above.
High quality insulation
To prevent heat loss and to stabilise the internal temperature, floors, walls and ceilings are thoroughly insulated. The level of insulation is determined directly by the climate zone the home is being built in. This means that a home in Auckland will require a very different level of insulation to one built in Queenstown.
High performance windows and doors
To ensure optimum thermal performance and airtightness, windows and doors must meet strict criteria. Double glazing is a minimum standard, and triple glazing may be specified in certain parts of the country. The type of framing and the way it’s installed are also important considerations for achieving a high-performance home. Windows that meet these standards are available in a range of different frame materials.
Thermal bridge-free zone
Thermal bridges, also known as cold bridges or heat bridges, reduce the energy efficiency of a building by letting precious heat escape homes in winter and allowing unwelcome heat to penetrate homes in summer. In standard construction, thermal bridging can occur where the foundation meets the walls, the walls meet the ceiling, around window and door frames and where steel columns are used. The design of your high-performance home will include specific design details that prevent thermal bridging.
Mechanical ventilation
A continuous mechanical ventilation system to filter dust, pollen and pollution from incoming air is vital in a high-performance home. A heat exchange system then recovers around 90% of the warmth in the air before it’s removed from the home. Additional heating or cooling elements can also be added to manage temperatures.
These elements combine to deliver a world-leading home that is comfortable, well-ventilated and requires very little energy to run.
If you want to find out more about building a better home for your family, get in touch with the Craft Homes team today.
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