Better Performing Homes For New Zealanders

Announcement by Association of Building Sustainability Assessors - 2nd of December 2008 - 9:04 AM

The Association of Building Sustainability Assessors today lent their public support to the recommendations in the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development's report, ``Better performing homes for New Zealanders.’’

ABSA New Zealand spokesperson GlennMurdoch commented, ``The Business Council's report outlineskey strategies that ABSA have been advocating for a longtime. We wholeheartedly endorse the report, and encouragenational and local Government's to act immediately. Theproblem of substandard housing in New Zealand is huge, andrequires strong leadership at all levels of Government toresolve. New Zealanders’ spend approximately 70% of theirtime indoors in homes that are contributing to the declinein the health, well-being and productivity of NewZealanders. Why would the Government not act to solve thisproblem?’’ 

The Business Council report recommends theintroduction of a mandatory rating system for homes, similarto a Warrant of Fitness check for your car. Mr Murdoch saidthat ABSA is currently supporting the development of arating tool that will achieve the outcomes outlined theBusiness Council's report. ``One of the key elements ofthis rating tool will be the amount of energy that yourhomes uses. The Home Energy Rating Scheme is a perfect toolto analyse the amount of energy your home uses, andrecommend improvements.’’

The Home Energy RatingScheme was developed by the Energy Efficiency andConservation Authority and launched late in 2007. It ratesthe energy efficiency of a home using a star rating, similarto that on an energy-efficient appliance.

One of thepotential adverse impacts of such a rating scheme is theadded cost to homeowners. Mr Murdoch said that it wasessential that the costs for any mandatory rating schemewere kept as low as possible, and that Government assistanceis made available both to undertake a rating and to upgradehomes to the minimum standard asrequired.