Build for warmer, drier more-efficient future
Future-proofing a home will increase its value, but many people are not aware of what they can do, experts say.
The building boom may be peaking, but consents for new homes remain at record levels, and demand for renovation work remains high.
Economist Tony Alexander’s latest spending survey shows plans for home renovations increased for the third consecutive month in September.
When such work is underway it is a good time to add features into a home which will make it more energy-efficient, or climate resilient, or better suited to another lockdown, or for an ageing homeowner.
But the drive to get people to future-proof their homes to address climate change issues often runs into a problem, Green Building Council chief executive Andrew Eagles says.
‘‘While people do not hesitate to splash out on a fancy kitchen makeover, they are reluctant to install a top-grade heat pump system or double-glazing, which will make their home warmer and drier, and reduce their carbon footprint.’’
It is not just unwillingness to forgo traditional home valueadds, many people are not aware of what they can do to make their home more energy-efficient, and how it will benefit them, he says.
‘‘The built environment is responsible for 20% of the country’s carbon footprint, so reducing the emissions associated has widespread value. But energy-efficient homes also save households money and have significant health benefits.’’
The best way to ensure an energy-efficient home is to ask for it to meet a high Homestar rating when it is built or undergoes an extensive renovation, but there are things people can do to improve a home’s performance on a smaller scale, he says.
‘‘It is all about getting warmer, drier homes which use less power, and have better air flow and quality. Insulation, ventilation and safe, efficient heating systems are key to that.
‘‘The healthy home standards for rental properties offer good guidance, but installing up-tostandard insulation, putting extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens, getting a heat pump and plugging up drafts all help.’’
More expensive options include installing whole house heating and ventilation systems, and double-glazing, which will further improve a home’s performance.
Increasing use of green energy means that another way people can future-proof their homes is by installing solar panels and charging docks for electric vehicles, Auckland developer David Whitburn says.
‘‘In many countries in Europe and Asia there has been a big move towards electric vehicles, and that has led to a lot of newbuild developments, which have home charging docks.
‘‘It is a trend that will only grow here too, and adding a charger and docking space to a home prepares it for when
New Zealand does start making greater use of electric vehicles.’’
The Covid lockdowns and the rise of remote working led to the repurposing of space within many homes. But creating more formal workspaces will help homeowners to be ready for any future pandemics, and support those who work from home, he says.
‘‘It requires putting in a proper home office, so people don’t have to work from a laptop at the kitchen table. A less obvious aspect is ensuring you have the right digital setup to successfully support remote work.’’
Wi-fi works well to a point, but for more efficient business networks greater capacity, via cables which support high data transfer rates, is needed, he says.
‘‘Installing them when building is better, as they can be a pain to retro-fit, but putting that sort of cabling into a home will ready it for the emerging new digital technology and internet standards.’’
Maintain to Profit Renovations director Mark Trafford says they received a huge number of inquiries about putting in separate home office space around each lockdown, but those requests have tailed off now.
Converting an unused space to an office, or putting a fold down desk behind wardrobe doors for a concealed option, gives people the ability to work from home easily, and that will always add value to a home, he says.
Since the lockdowns, there has been an upsurge in enquiries about work to improve lifestyle features of a home, such as building or extending decks and putting in pools.
‘‘That is about futureproofing too because people have been stuck at home for extended periods, and it has left them wanting to make sure their home can be as enjoyable as possible in case something similar happens again.’’
But those types of leisure features also add to a property’s resale value, he says.
People can also future-proof their homes by preparing for the changed requirements of older age.
This involves modifying properties to include features such as ramps, anti-slip floors, grab bars and handrails, and transfer benches.
Trafford says he does a fair bit of this work, and that it is increasing in popularity along with the country’s ageing population.
‘‘It enables people to stay in their own homes and communities safely for longer, and that is valuable to them, and important in a social sense. The problem is not enough people know about all the options available to them in this space.’’