Sustainable Home Checklist

Ticking the must-have boxes on the checklist for your next home’s features and benefits looks a little different these days.

Along with the usual questions on layout and section size, sustainability and energy consumption considerations are more important than ever - especially in a variable climate like we have in Aotearoa.

Buyers and tenants are asking important questions, and now there are companies that specialise in promoting and “scoring” your home’s energy efficiency.

If you’re making a move, you may want to know: How energy efficient is your new home?

Is your cabinetry built using sustainable materials? Is your kitchen fitted with environmentally friendly appliances designed to keep your power bills down?

Your appliances all come labelled with an energy efficiency score, but it pays to check online for the rating of the oven, dishwasher, refrigerator and any other power-hungry technology.

Those with higher star ratings operate more efficiently and are less of a drain on your power and pocket than older versions. Ageing dishwashers and sink mixers use far more hot water than need be, which can be costly.

The popular induction stove is great for cooking and is a more efficient and economical option. Paying close attention to performance and energy consumption should tick some more money-saving boxes.

Tackling the family’s dirty laundry has had some big upgrades since the washing machine was invented.

Once upon a time, Kiwi homes had a spartan wash house off the back porch or in a dark, bunker-like basement. The laundry has now thankfully migrated inside - whether that’s as a separate room, in your garage or tucked away in a hallway cupboard.

Check to see if the laundry comes with (or is configured for) a front-loading washing machine – these use less water and are more eco-friendly than top loaders.

Appliances with settings for lower water temperatures and shorter wash cycles can shave dollars off your power bill and help you do your bit for the planet too! Tumble dryers can be a big drain on power, so it helps to have the most environmentally friendly dryer of all – an outdoor clothesline. Or is there room for drying racks in sunny spots or that lines up with the warm air of a heat pump?

The mode of heating in your home will impact your running costs, so it’s vital you know what you’re in for. More New Zealand homes have heat pumps now as it’s the most economical and sustainable way to heat your home. How many does your new home have and are they ducted? A split system has multiple units and optional zoning settings for units mounted on the floor or wall throughout the home.

Other types of heating include freestanding log-burner fireboxes, hard-wired electric wall panels, freestanding pellet fires, bottle or mains connected gas heaters, and in older character homes, an open fire. All of these have pros and cons, so do your homework on what it'll mean for you and your family in the winter time.

A home already installed with solar power is a real drawcard in terms of sustainability and will certainly deliver some welcome household savings in the long term. If you‘re looking at moving into a home with solar, make sure your pre purchase inspection includes a check on the condition of the solar panels and battery.

Don’t forget to scan the terms and conditions of any solar buy-back plan with the current power company that may be in place. In terms of the equipment itself, find out when the system was installed and what, if any, warranties may be remaining on the panels and battery.

Newer homes and apartment buildings are increasingly built with an electric vehicle (EV) charger in the plan. These can be attached to a wall in the garage or adjacent to the house in a carport. A game-changer for those who have an EV or are thinking of buying one.

A well-insulated home has a warmer, more energy efficient atmosphere with flow on effects being lower power bills and healthier families.

New Zealand homes are notorious for being cold and drafty. It’s practically a badge of honour of how tough we are by sitting in front of the TV wearing a beanie, a Swannie, and ugg boots.

Under the Healthy Homes Standards introduced in 2019, all rental homes must now comply with compulsory regulations for insulation. If you’re buying a home that’s been tenanted, then by law it must already have the appropriate ceiling and underfloor insulation, and as a tenant your landlord must have this sorted.

Windows can cause up to 40% of a home’s heat loss.

If your home’s orientation captures maximum sun, it will make your home warmer. However, the benefits of a great spot and expansive glazing is lost if panes are not double glazed or getting adequate WEERS (Window Energy Efficiency Rating System) performance.

As cold winter air passes through windows, heaters get turned up or left on longer, so make sure thermal performance and condensation elimination is your ultimate goal.

The cheapest form of lighting is natural daylight. A sustainable home makes the most of this and should welcome it as much as possible.

An average home can use around 13% of its total power consumption on lighting, so to avoid being left in the dark, lighting needs to be in all the places that count. LED light bulbs are the most energy efficient ones available, contain no toxic materials and are often 100% recyclable. Robust, long lasting and better quality, using LED lights can help reduce your carbon footprint compared with incandescent bulbs.

If your family includes teenagers, then having an energy efficient bathroom won’t just lower your power bills, but probably also your blood pressure!

As bathroom companies focus on ways to go green and stay sustainable, your aim is to prioritise fixtures and fittings that save power, conserve water and deal with waste (dual flush systems in toilets, for example). Bathroom fans swiftly eliminate steamy air and can be timed to switch off. Heating needs to merge effectiveness with cost, including any heated floors or towel rails.

A home that isn’t adequately wired to manage the load from an average family is impractical, inconvenient and even a dangerous fire hazard.

These days, many small home appliances get added to the mix, creating further demand on your home’s electrical system. With strict regulations and standards for correct wiring and Worksafe offering some cautious advice about home rewiring, choosing a home with the safest and most energy efficient system is important.

“Location, location, location” used to be the postcode cliché, but in a world wanting a more sustainable lifestyle, it’s about living close to public transport links and hubs.

By using your car less or even doing away with one entirely and relying on public transport, you’ll be reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions entering the atmosphere. It’s not just about how your house is built, but its proximity to bus or train stations for your weekday commute that contributes to living more sustainably.