Beacon

Based on our HomeSmart Home procedures

Beacon’s HomeSmart Home procedures are being tested in the design and construction of a new home as part of a New Zealand Housing Foundation’s subdivision. These guidelines provide advice and instruction on creating a new home which will meet the benchmarks of the HSS High Standard of Sustainability®.

The Housing Foundation have built a HomeSmart Home as a pilot project to see how energy, water and waste efficiencies can be made, to create a comfortable and healthy home, and to test the use of such features in future Foundation housing projects.

As well as incorporating our learning into the house design, Beacon will be monitoring the home’s performance and the experience of the homeowners.

 

The first HomeSmart Home

This home is situated in the New Zealand Housing Foundation’s West Coast Rd subdivision in Glen Eden.  Planned using ‘zipper lot boundaries,‘ the subdivision optimises solar gain by placing houses on southern boundaries for maximum northern outdoor space. The site comprises 77 lots ranging in size from 280m2 to 1247m2 and will contain housing in eight different styles when fully complete. Key components of the planned development include stream restoration, an extensive linked open space network, storm water treatment and attenuation wetlands, and extensive use of sustainable design features at an individual site level.

 

 

Beacon worked with the Housing Foundation to change the specifications on their standard type 4a design in line with the guidelines of the HomeSmart Homes procedures.  The Tindall Foundation is funding the cost of the additional interventions for this house which are estimated at $43,500, including a $20,000 photovoltaic grid.

 

Features for better performance

Energy generation

• Photovoltaic energy production system, linked to the grid and capable of producing 2100kWh per annum

 

Energy efficiency

• Insulated concrete slab foundation for thermal mass
• R4.6 ceiling insulation
• R2.6 external wall insulation
• PVC-framed double glazing
• External heat pump for hot water heating
• 4 star energy efficient washing machine
• 3.5 star energy efficient dishwasher
• 4 star energy efficient fridge/freezer
• LED and compact fluorescent lighting
• Stand-by easy reach switches or wireless controlled switches for appliances
• Window coverings

 

Water efficiency

• Low flow shower heads and taps
• Dual flush toilets
• 4500 litre rainwater tank for external use
• Greywater recycling system for re-use of bathroom and laundry water in toilets
• 4 star water efficient washing machine
• 4 star water efficient dishwasher
• Rain garden to reduce stormwater run-off

 

Indoor environment quality

• Enviro-friendly paint
• Linoleum used in bathrooms rather than vinyl
• Extraction fans vented to outside in bathroom
• Opening windows for good ventilation
• Low profile, roof-mounted, solar powered ventilation vent

 

Waste

• Good construction waste management practices
• Multiple waste bins in the kitchen
• Recycled plastic carpet

 

HERS rating

The house was assessed under EECA’s Home Energy Rating Scheme.  With comparatively modest changes, the rating increased from 4.5 stars in a standard Foundation home to a very commendable 8.0 stars.

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  31-May-2010 (Report HN2800/5)

  The NZHF HomeSmart Home: Occupants experience of the home and comparison with NOW Homes (PDF 308KB)

  Rachael Trotman

  In 2009, Beacon partnered with the New Zealand Housing Foundation  to develop and monitor a sustainable HomeSmart Home in Waitakere. This report presents feedback from a face to face interview in May 2010 of the adult male occupant of the HomeSmart Home on how the family is experiencing the home, and compares this feedback with that from the Rotorua and Waitakere NOW Home® occupants.