Keeping the house warm
It may be colder here than you expected
Many new migrants are surprised at how cold houses in New Zealand can be, particularly in the winter.
The historical reasons for this are often debated, but the reality is many older houses were poorly insulated, sometimes drafty, and not built to face the sun.
Leaky buildings
Newer homes are generally better, but not always. A spate of rapid building of low cost homes in recent decades resulted in what has become known as ‘leaky building syndrome’, which affected several thousand New Zealand homes and their owners.
More information about this event and how to ensure you are not unknowingly involved in any further occurrence is available from both the Department of Building and Housing, and from ConsumerBuild - a site created specifically to provide information around the issue.
Energy conservation
Improved awareness of the advantages of well insulated homes in health, comfort and energy cost savings has greatly improved attention to this aspect of New Zealand’s homes.
There are now several excellent websites, including the government run Energy Efficiency Conservation authority (EECA) that provide information on how to best assess your home’s insulation efficiency - and steps that may be taken to improve it.
The government is also providing subsidies to qualifying properties for under-floor insulation. You can check eligibility and locate registered installers at the EECA website.
Heating
New Zealand once relied heavily on open wood fires - and coal fires in some regions - but this is now rapidly changing in response to both energy and climate change policy.
Most urban homes in New Zealand are stand-alone/detached and built of wood. Although many do have insulation, lack of proper ventilation can be a problem. Most do not have central heating or double-glazed windows meaning they cool down quickly and take longer to reheat.
Whether you are planning to buy or rent a house, make sure there is proper heating available, and consider having it checked for signs of dampness and check the roof space and under the floors if you can to see if there is proper insulation.
Further information
http://www.sustainableliving.org.nz
http://www.eeca.govt.nz
What to look for in an energy efficient home
Types of heating
Energy saving tips
