Designing to Homestar

Homestar is a points based qualifying tool Homes (new builds and renovations) which has 4 main categories to provide the best thermally performing home within your budget:

• Efficient: Rewards smaller dwellings and smaller footprints
• Health and Comfort: These points reward attributes for occupant thermal comfort by way of whole house thermal performance, ventilation, moisture control and lighting. It also recognises interior finishes that minimise the detrimental impact on occupant health from products that emit pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOC’s)
• Liveable: Rewards safe, secure and adaptable dwellings
• Environmentally Responsible

Homestar ranges from Homestar 6 rating (60 points minimum) upto 10 Homestar rating (100+ points).  There are mandatory minimum requirements within each rating.

We work with you during the concept stage of your home to apply all the aspects of Homestar and sustainable design into the project knowing with the expert knowledge knowing where exactly you can improve the thermal envelope.

Assessing the built rating 

We work with you and the builder to provide evidence required by NZGBC to determine Homestar design rating information had been adhered to including verifying construction timber members sizing and spacings and insulation R values.  Will also include verification of windows sizes and openings, materials and fixtures etc to validate the design rating evidence.  Site visits would be required in the determining the evidence but also receipts, invoices and photos may be accepted to assist the evaluation of the rating.