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A New Zealand Herald Commercial Publication

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

warm up for winter

HEATING OPTIONS EXPLAINED

Take charge of your power bill

INTELLIGENT DESIGN

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The New Zealand Herald | Wednesday, May 10, 2017

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The New Zealand Herald | Wednesday, May 10, 2017

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Heating your home

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The New Zealand Herald | Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Get energy savvy Get in an energysaving mind-set

There are many ways to save on your power consumption during the cooler months, writes Louise Richardson

here are many reasons to save power by using electricity wisely. A prime one is the fact that gas, coal and oil are limited and could be completely used up at some point. Put another way: we’re using these resources faster than they are being replenished naturally. What’s more, in processing them, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change. We need to acknowledge this and do our bit to help slow this progression down. Of course, there’s the issue of money too. With winter looming and the prospect of sky-rocketing power bills as we heat our homes and dry our washing, maybe it’s time to take a critical look at energy requirements and try to pare them down. Start by checking around your local energy providers to make sure that you’re on the most economical plan. After that, read on for some starting measures for you and your family to consider. It’s always easier when everyone gets involved in making positive changes. Start with the simple stuff Many of us have a casual attitude to household lighting and often leave bulbs blazing away, even during the day, which is something older generations simply can’t understand.

They were brought up to be thrifty; flicking the switch to ‘off’ when leaving a particular room. It’s worth counting the number of lights in a room and asking yourself whether they are all necessary. And buying energy-efficient LED light bulbs is a no-brainer as they use much less energy than the old-style light bulbs which get very hot, very quickly. Another very simple method when it comes to saving energy is waiting until appliances are full before turning them on. We’re talking about washing machines, which should be set to cold wash versus hot wherever possible, and dishwashers too. Avoid using the half-load option on either because it can actually use almost as much water and electricity as a full load does. If you’re wondering if washing dishes by hand might be preferable, it seems not. Studies have found that hand washing often requires much more hot water than a full dishwasher on an economy cycle. The heat goes on Heating is generally one of the most expensive bills householders face but the good news is, there are a number of ways to reduce that cost significantly. Installing insulation in the ceiling, walls and under the floors can make a huge difference — especially when partnered with an energy-

● Your heated towel rail doesn’t

need to be operating all day and night. Install a timer switch which turns it on a couple of hours before you shower.

● Minimise condensation and

energy loss in the kitchen by always using an extractor fan when cooking.

● Use the clothesline outside as

often as possible and never try to dry washing on drying frames inside as this causes moisture build-up. It might not look great but try and use covered decks or verandas instead.

● Open windows during the day to Extractor fans can minimise energy loss when cooking.

Studies have found that hand washing often requires much more hot water than a full dishwasher on an economy cycle

efficient form of heating. Modern heat pumps are quiet and stylish and produce much more heat, more cheaply, than an electric heater. They use a small amount of energy to move heat from one location to another. Simply set the timer to ensure heat when you need it. Wood burners have come a long way too and are very good if you have access to free or cheap firewood. Wood pellet burners are good for large spaces and also have a low emission output. Both types of burners can be complemented by transfer or ducting systems that move heat around your home. Gas fireplaces are great, using mains gas or gas bottles. EECA’s Energy Star rating system can help you

help keep your property dry and reduce the risk of mould developing.

choose the right products for your needs, bearing in mind they must be installed by a registered gas fitter, which adds to the initial cost. Unflued gas heaters are expensive to run and bring a whole raft of health and safety problems. They can ultimately lead to heavier power use when a dehumidifier is needed in order to get rid of condensation. Other measures to reduce heating costs include hanging heavy, thermal-backed curtains to help retain the heat in a room, having wool rugs on polished floorboards, and using draught excluders to stop heat escaping under doors. Double glazing is worthy of consideration in the rooms you use most often.

The New Zealand Herald | Wednesday, May 10, 2017

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The New Zealand Herald | Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Efficiency and environmental friendliness should be considered when heating your home, writes Raewyn Court

Heating your home

n this era of climate volatility, the lazy, hazy days of summer often seem to be replaced overnight by the chill of winter. Jandals are swapped for socks, and winter-weight duvets hauled out of storage. Commuters leaving work are caught in torrential rain, cold wind

and even snow flurries, but somehow the trip home doesn’t seem so bad if you know you’re heading to a warm, cosy house. Options for heating homes are many and varied, but factors to consider are cost, efficiency and environmental friendliness.

For those building a new home, there’s the luxury of starting with a “clean slate” and being able to design a system that combines efficiency and cleanliness with the right look and feel. Aspects to consider are room size and how they will be used.

Fixed heaters are a good idea for rooms used regularly because they provide cheap and effective heating. These include modern wood and wood-pellet burners, Energy Star qualified heat pumps and high-starrated, flued gas heaters. In rooms that are used only oc-

casionally or for short periods of time, electric heaters — which are cheap to buy but more expensive to run — can be sufficient. With the exception of heat pumps, all electric heaters are equally efficient, so don’t believe claims that one type is more efficient than the

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Pictures / Getty Images

other. However, choosing the right type of heat is key to getting the full benefit of the heat you’re paying for. Radiant, fan, convection and night store heaters all distribute heat differently. Radiant panel heaters which attach to the wall are suitable for bedrooms

and study areas as they don’t take up much space, can be thermostatically controlled, and are silent. Fan heaters are good for heating a small space for a short period of time. They’re noisy, but great for flicking on to get dressed in the morning as they give a blast of instant heat.

Choosing the right type of heat for your home is key to getting the full benefits of what you pay for.

Choosing the right type of heat is key to getting the full benefit of the heat you’re paying for

Oil filled heaters are a popular example of convection heaters, where a heating element at the base of the heater heats up the oil, which then flows around the cavities or fins of the heater by convection. They’re good for smaller spaces such as bedrooms, as they’re thermostatically controlled and are silent apart from a slight clicking noise as they heat up and cool down. Night store heaters can take advantage of lower electricity prices (where this applies) at night, storing the heat in a ‘bank’ of clay or ceramic bricks and releasing it during the day. Heat pumps are increasing in popularity over more traditional forms of heating, because of their low running costs and ability to produce instant heat. However, they must be sized correctly for the space and climate to work well. Those living in colder areas should ask their supplier to size the heat pump based on its “H2” performance, a ranking introduced by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), which rates heat pump outputs at 2C outdoor ambient condition. Not all heat pumps are created equally — look for the Energy Star mark to find the most efficient model. Heat pumps allow convenient temperature control with thermostat and timer, but they won’t work during a power cut. Modern woodburners, on the other hand, provide heat and a certain amount of light during power cuts.

Many can even be used to cook on and to heat water through a wetback system, both of which are welcome features during a power outage. Running costs are relatively low, especially if you have access to free or cheap firewood — preferably renewable — but wood must be dry to burn efficiently and this can require planning ahead. Wood should be stored undercover, to ‘season’, for at least a year before burning. Woodburners produce very little pollution and have the advantage of being able to heat a large space, but building consent is required for installation and, unless your property is larger than two hectares, you need to use a woodburner that is on the Ministry for the Environment’s approved list. Wood pellet burners are a more efficient version of the woodburner, but they have the disadvantage of not working during a power cut as they use a small amount of electricity. They’re good for the environment because the pellets are made from waste products and burn very cleanly. However, in areas with air quality issues, only authorised burners can be installed (see the Ministry for Environment’s list of approved wood pellet burners) and again, building consent is needed for installation. Wood pellet burners can heat large spaces, have better heat control than a woodburner, and can heat water through a wetback system.

Unflued gas (natural or LPG) heaters are another option for heating during power cuts, if you normally rely on electricity for heating. However, apart from some open fires, they’re the most expensive form of heating and they carry health risks. Unflued gas heaters pollute the air with toxic gases and large amounts of water vapour, so they must be used with at least one window open, and never in bedrooms. They can make your home damp, and are a fire risk as anything too close can catch fire quickly. Flued gas (natural or LPG) heaters or fireplaces must be installed by a registered gas fitter and you may have to pay a fixed charge for reticulated gas supply, but they offer great convenience as temperature and timing are easily controlled. They’re good for heating large areas for long periods, but the EECA recommends choosing an Energy Star-qualified model for best efficiency. Central heating is a good option for whole-of-house heating, but can be very expensive to run if your house isn’t well insulated or is draughty. It’s easy to control temperature and timing with central heating, and many are zone-controlled so you can control the temperature in different parts of the house. With so many efficient heating options available, winter will surely pass comfortably and we’ll be dusting off the jandals before we know it.

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The New Zealand Herald | Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Picture / Hybrid Homes

Intelligent design Homes need the right ingredients to withstand cold New Zealand winters, discovers Joanna Mathers

ew Zealand is a country typified by unpredictable weather and filled with houses that aren’t designed to deal with it. Power bills over the colder months reflect this — it’s not uncommon for households to be paying $300-plus a month in electricity costs. Insulation and heat pumps do some good, but don’t address the problems caused by cold air coming through cracks in the window frames and under doors. For homes to be truly energy efficient, they need to be designed

accordingly. Natalia Harrington from Hybrid Homes (who specialises in energyefficient eco homes) likens good design to cooking. She says that the ingredients need to be right if you are to strike to perfect balance. “Too much of one thing and not enough of the other can spoil the end result. Preparation is key — so orientation and design are at the top of the list,” she says. She says that a correctly oriented house will let sun in during the winter, and keep it out in the summer — this

way you will at least use nature’s free resource. Long hallways and open spaces can be problematic; she encourages people to opt for quality rather than quantity when it comes to space. “Thereafter you can layer it with building product choices that will meet your budget and end goal of how far you would like to take your energy efficient home.” Darren Jessop from Jessop Architects agrees that for a home to be energy efficient, it needs to be designed as such. Older homes, while character-

filled and charming, can never be truly energy efficient. “There are between 17 and 22 air changes an hour in an old building,” he explains. “You can bring the houses up to a relatively comfortable state, but you can never make an old house truly energy efficient.” Jessop Architects are responsible for the design and project management of the first house to be certified “passive” in Australasia. It’s a house that can heat and cool itself without any other devices — representing an extremely low level

of energy consumption. Jessop also developed a range of energy efficient homes called Cool Houses — these are modular homes that use passive house innovations and sustainable technology to create homes that are extremely kind to the environment. He says that air tight homes are becoming more popular in New Zealand and represent the highest level of efficiency. Very common in Europe where temperatures regularly drop below freezing, air tight homes are created through sealing of any gaps and the

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The New Zealand Herald | Wednesday, May 10, 2017

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Exterior shutters and aluminium joinery can be used to open up and shut Pictures / Jessop Architects down the house and control the temperature within.

use of HRV systems to reticulate the air. The upshot of this is a regular temperature and a huge reduction in power bills. “One of the clients we created an energy efficient, air tight home for has power bills of around $20 a month in winter,” says Jessop. Air tight homes use what Jessop calls “a kind of building paper that doesn’t breathe” — no heat escapes and there is no need to regulate temperature with heaters or cooling devices. These homes have no dust — therefor no dust mites — and they are ideal for people who suffer from asthma or allergies. He says that another key element that needs to be addressed when designing an energy-efficient home is the issue of thermal bridging. Thermal bridging refers to an object having much higher heat transfer than the materials that adjoin it; this leads to the reduction of thermal insulation through the entire space. This is rectified by thermal breaks: materials with low thermal conductivity that are placed between materials such as panes of glass to reduce the flow of energy. Jessop says his company utilised a unique thermal break in a home he

designed in St Heliers. “The home was designed so it didn’t touch the earth,” he says. “Polystyrene was used as a base, with file piles penetrating. While there was a little leakage, the energy transfer was minimal.” Thermal breaks can also be used in joinery, windows and between framing and cladding.

Picture / Hybrid Homes

Jessop estimates that a truly energy efficient build will cost 20 per cent more than a conventional home. He says that some people find this off putting, but his advice is ‘just make your home 20 per cent smaller’

Tilt and turn windows are an excellent example of how clever design can reduce heat loss and allow for good ventilation. Conceptualised in Germany, they have a multipoint locking system and their design allows air to circulate without a draft. They “tilt” or “turn” according to your requirements; if they are tilted fresh air can flow in and hot air at

ceiling height can flow out, if they are turned air comes in freely and you can maximise any views. Solar panels and other forms of heating that use natural resources can also be used to reduce the cost of electricity over the cold months. If you are generating your own electricity you can also sell the extra energy back to the grid and make

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money from your investment. There are other options as well for people who live in rural areas. “While solar is a very popular choice, especially in urban environments, wind and hydro can be used if there is a bit of land available,” says Harrington. People are often put off energyefficient homes because of what is seen as prohibitive costs. Jessop estimates that a truly energy-efficient build will cost 20 per cent more than a conventional home. He says that some people find this off-putting, but his advice is “just make your home 20 per cent smaller”. There is also the option of making only part of your home fully energy efficient. “We designed a home recently that had energy efficient bedrooms and bathrooms, but the rest of the home wasn’t,” he says. While New Zealand is a bit behind the times when it comes to truly energy-efficient homes, both Harrington and Jessop say times are changing. Harrington enthuses: “We have been building for over 10 years, and it has been and incredible journey while also having the privilege to be a part of the movement towards energy-efficient, sustainable homes.”

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The New Zealand Herald | Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Oasis of calm

Technology that can diagnose your health and a wellness retreat atmosphere will characterise the bathrooms of the future, discovers Dani Wright

hen Sonya Cotter followed her passion to become an interior designer, she says she “found her home in life”. Her previous careers were in the fashion industry; she also worked as a chef. She works with her clients — who are often confused by the choices and different ideas they have for their interiors — to create a cohesive design that will create a sense of calmness and tone they will love and enjoy. She says bathrooms offer untapped potential in a home. “The most important consideration for me when I think of bathroom design is whether there’s enough storage and enough light to make the most of the space,” says Cotter. “So often, bathrooms have become lost opportunities, but they don’t need to be.” Clever storage solutions, such as recessed mirror cabinetry or for children’s bathrooms, her favourite Philippe Starck ‘Bubu’ stool with builtin storage, are must-have items for hiding the clutter. The storage stool also provides parents with a place to sit while the children have a bath. “Over-sized mirrors in bathrooms are also a great way to pass as much light around as possible and give the impression of a larger space,” says Cotter. “I’d also suggest investing in a more expensive tile, so the mirror can showcase it twice.” She takes her clients’ shower glass up higher than standard height to elevate the look and feel of the bathroom. “Designers are starting to call bathrooms ‘wellness spaces’ and they’re starting to take on more importance in the home,” says Cotter. “Open-plan living has reduced the spaces you can take time out from the rest of the family, so the bathrooms of tomorrow will replicate the feel of a day-spa to help you relax.” To turn your bathroom into a wellness space, think about finishes — such as using textures, layering surfaces and using more timber to add warmth. There are also now tiles that are made to look like timber. Audio is another important consideration to give a natural spa-like atmosphere, so include music in the bathroom design. “Think about spaces in the bathroom you might be able to rest a glass

TOP TIPS

● Multi-task your spaces. For

example, a mirror can hide a power unit and storage cabinet.

● Create a wellness feel to the room through the use of timber for warmth and layering of textures.

● Add music, candles and soft

lighting to increase the appeal.

● Research the most economical

and up-to-date water systems and sanitary ware and buy the best you can afford.

● Call in the experts: Everyone

deserves to live in a home they love, so interior designers often work on one room at a time to provide a more affordable option.

of wine, cup of tea, your iPad or a book,” says Cotter. “Seating in bathrooms is also becoming more popular as a way to create more of a wellness space.” Current trends include the use of colour in sanitary ware, such as toilet bowls and bathroom sinks. “Blacks and charcoals, as well as a new blush tone, are coming through in sanitary ware,” says Cotter. “There’s also a use of mixed metal, rather than just bright shiny chrome, in tapware. For example, stainless steel, black, copper and brass finishes.” Bathrooms are being seen less as utility spaces and elevated with items such as decorative tiles — often on the floor to create the look of a rug — all with the aim of creating a space you want to sit in and enjoy. Technology is also advancing in

A mirror can hide a power unit and cabinet (left); finer porcelain creates a more sophisticated feel.

bathroom design, with finer porcelain being produced that has a more sophisticated feel. There’s a trend towards streamlined design rather than heavy, chunky items. “I like the idea of doing the unexpected in a bathroom,” says Cotter. “For example, a tile supplier is bringing out a tile that looks like woven fabric, that could be really interesting in a bathroom — it’s a ceramic tile that looks like linen and is stunning.” There’s also tapware with jets to create a steam room in the shower and a bathroom that can analyse your health, including your weight and temperature. “You’ll be able to brush your teeth and the toothbrush will take samples to make sure you’re healthy,” says Cotter. “Health monitoring is the grand plan for future bathrooms.”

To give your bathroom the spa-like feel, lighting is important and can include strip lighting under vanity cabinets. There’s a trend that people want to drop down the lighting at various stages of the day, so different lighting options are increasing in importance. “LED lighting has also opened up the way we light a bathroom so that we can now incorporate darker colour schemes,” says Cotter. “I really love the idea that bathrooms are a bit more of a secluded sanctuary than the bright light clinical bathrooms of the past.” There’s also a trend towards having green elements incorporated in bathroom designs, for example, a small courtyard big enough only for a wall of bamboo or a small tree that forms one side of the shower, or using

Pictures / Getty Images

photographic wallpaper featuring green elements, such as a rainforest, along one wall. In more practical terms, Cotter advises hiding away items such as electric toothbrushes by placing power sockets inside mirrored cabinets. She says having tapware coming out from the wall is a way to make the vanity top easier to clean. “People used to say that a bathroom should last the life of your house, but we’re all updating our homes more often than ever before so now it’s about every 8-10 years,” says Cotter. “The bathroom is a really hard-working space and items can’t easily be replaced, so buy the best products you can afford.” Create an oasis of calm in your bathroom and it may do you and your home a world of good.

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A well-insulated home is healthier, more durable and cheaper to heat and cool. Picture / Getty Images

Insulation is the way forward for warmer, healthier homes, writes Louise Richardson

hile warm homes are the rule rather than the exception in Scandinavia, where coming home in winter means peeling off cold weather clothing and relaxing in a cosy welcoming interior, in New Zealand that hasn’t always been the case. Those of us who are a certain age, will remember being told to simply put on another jumper and a woolly hat if we felt cold. Although basic insulation was first introduced here around the 1940s, the materials used were imported, expensive, and often out of the reach of most local householders. As a result, it wasn’t until the ’70s that installing anything other than very rudimentary protection in new houses became common. It’s estimated that up to 40 per cent of heat in homes without insulation was lost through the ceiling and, as a result, health problems caused by the dynamic that occurs when human breath — or steam from cooking and bathing — meets cold air, with the consequent build-up of mould being commonplace. Once the New Zealand government caught on to the virtues of insulation in terms of energy-saving, the drive to promote it was taken very seriously, with interest-free loans available to help homeowners with installation. In 1977, insulation became mandatory in new houses and minimum levels have risen since. Under 2004’s Building Act all new builds must have a certain level of

Insulation key thermal resistance (R-value), which is determined by their location. EECA says that even now, around 600,000 New Zealand homes are still under-insulated and various programmes have been employed over the past few years to remedy that problem — particularly in relation to rental properties, where tenants can be especially prone to health issues related to cold and damp conditions. In 2015, Nick Smith, Minister of Building and Construction, announced that by July 1, 2019 all rental properties must be fitted with under-floor and ceiling insulation and

that landlords will be ordered to specify what level they have provided. The minimum will be the 1978 standard for already-insulated dwellings, while properties that haven’t had any insulation up until now must meet current standards for new-builds. Homestar/realestate.co.nz does an annual survey of homeowners and recent results suggest insulation is considered important by 90 per cent of respondents. Advertising by authorities such as EECA are no doubt one aspect of this heightened

awareness but, overall, home owners are more tuned into getting optimal performances from their properties and taking health effects into account in a way never seen in the past. If you’re considering putting insulation into an existing house or a new one, there are many different types available. Pink Fibreglass — Made from recycled glass, this material works well at containing heat and is a reasonably priced option to boot. It’s clean, sustainable and easy to install. You are advised to avoid inhaling any dust while putting it in place and

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excessive contact with skin is also inadvisable. Wool — This much-loved Kiwi product operates in two ways: effectively retaining heat in winter, and keeping things cool in summer. It usually needs added preservatives such as polyester or resin to achieve optimum effectiveness and its ‘R’ value is lower than that for fibreglass. Polystyrene — A man-made material formulated using a liquid petrochemical, polystyrene provides good insulation but because it comes in blocks, it’s essential to cut it accurately in order to fit into ceiling, wall or underfloor spaces. If the cut isn’t perfect, significant energy escape can occur. Rock Wool — Its name is intriguing and the method used to produce it is fascinating. Natural rocks and minerals are heated to 1600C in a furnace, then spun in a way that imitates the making of candyfloss. The finished product has excellent thermal and acoustic properties Reflective foil — This is most-suited for under-floor insulation being installed retrospectively. With the risk of electrocution it can be dangerous to apply and must be cut perfectly to size in order to work effectively. EECA isn’t a fan of this material because of those issues. Polyester — Made as a by-product of the petrochemical industry, polyester insulation is increasingly popular in New Zealand. It’s made from plastic bags and bottles bound together by means of high heat. Effective at doing its job in keeping a dwelling warm and dry, it resists moisture, fire, mould and vermin. Paper-based insulation — Cellulosic insulation is made from paper and because the resultant mix needs to be blown into place it’s generally not a job for the DIYer. When it’s being manufactured, fire and pest retardants are included in the mix and in terms of sustainability, it gets good marks as long as New Zealand wood and paper materials are used.

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The New Zealand Herald | Wednesday, May 10, 2017

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