The Future of Passive House Construction in New Zealand

The future of Passive House construction in New Zealand looks promising, with continued growth and innovation driving the adoption of this sustainable building standard. Here are some key aspects of what the future holds:

Increased Adoption:

As awareness of the benefits of Passive House construction spreads, more architects, builders, and homeowners in New Zealand are likely to embrace this approach. Government initiatives, incentives, and regulations promoting energy efficiency and low-carbon construction will further encourage the adoption of Passive House principles across the country.

Integration with Local Contexts:

While Passive House originated in Europe, its principles are adaptable to diverse climates and contexts. In New Zealand, architects and builders are incorporating local materials, design elements, and construction techniques to optimize Passive House performance while addressing the country's unique climatic conditions, seismic risks, and historic building practices.

Technological Advancements:

Advancements in building materials, construction methods, and energy-efficient technologies will continue to drive innovation in Passive House construction. From high-performance insulation to smart ventilation systems and renewable energy solutions, new technologies will further enhance the energy efficiency, comfort, and resilience of Passive House buildings in New Zealand leading to improved cost efficiencies.

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing:

Collaboration among industry stakeholders, including architects, engineers, developers, and policymakers, will be crucial to the widespread adoption of Passive House construction. Knowledge sharing, training programs, and certification initiatives will empower professionals to design and build Passive House projects with confidence, ensuring quality and compliance with standards.

Demonstration Projects and Case Studies:

The success of early Passive House projects in New Zealand will serve as valuable examples and learning opportunities for future developments. Demonstration projects showcasing the economic, environmental, and social benefits of Passive House construction will inspire confidence and catalyze further investment in sustainable building practices.

Policy Support and Market Demand:

Government policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting energy efficiency, and improving building standards will create a supportive regulatory environment for Passive House construction in New Zealand. Meanwhile, growing consumer awareness and demand for sustainable, healthy homes will drive market forces towards Passive House solutions.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the future of Passive House construction in New Zealand is bright, characterized by increased adoption, technological innovation, collaboration, and policy support. By embracing this sustainable building standard, New Zealand can create healthier, more energy-efficient buildings that contribute to a greener, more resilient built environment for generations to come.

What is a blower door test, and do we need to use one?

High-performance buildings have more design and construction thought put into them than a typical New Zealand project. As discussed in one of our other articles, the designers and builders are trying to minimise the thermal losses from the project. This inherently means that the buildings become more air-tight with less or no thermal-bridging in the construction. So, the obvious questions arise, if we have spent all of this time and energy designing and constructing a high-performance home, how do we verify we are getting what we asked for?

The simple answer is to carry out a blower door test. This is an internationally recognised testing system that provides tangible results for the project team to use during the build. The blower door is fitted to a doorway or window opening in the building. It then pulls air into the building and monitors the amount of air that leaks or is lost out of the building envelope. It then provides a test result that is universal throughout the world and allows the owners to benchmark their project. There isn’t a better way to see where parts of the building may not have been built as well as others then using smoke inside the project and seeing it pour out of the home. It is a clear and simple tool for any high-performance building team.

We recommend that the blower door is used at two times during construction. The first time is before the project is lined, this is when issues can be amended and lessons learnt. The second is when the home is complete, this provides a final performance measurement for the owners to either use to assist in officially certifying their Passihaus, or knowing where their home is on the performance ladder.

TAWA has performed many blower door tests on client’s homes, and sometimes once the project has been completed to verify results. Once the home is completed there really is no way to amend the building envelope to increase its performance. So, we suggest you consider this approach early in your design phases.

We encourage you to get out there and start having conversations about blower door testing. If this is something you are interested in, give us a call or if you are not in the Waikato or the Bay of Plenty go to www.blower-door.co.nz to find a local blower door expert in your area. The test is completed within an hour, so we suggest you start the conversation with your build team for your next project and demand to know what you are paying for in terms of performance.