Homestar Designer

Course Overview

The delivery of this course follows an online format over 7 weeks, 10.00am - 12.00pm every Tuesday.

This course offers a comprehensive understanding of the Homestar rating tool and sustainable design principles, equipping you to design homes that meet the highest environmental standards. A core component of the course is learning how to use the Homestar Energy and Carbon Calculator for Homes (ECCHO), which is essential for assessing the energy efficiency and sustainability of your designs. As part of the course fee, you’ll receive a Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) licence—required to use ECCHO. If you already hold an active PHPP license, you can contact us for a discount on the course fee.

Who is this course for?

It is ideal for professionals involved in the design, planning, or consulting of residential buildings who want to create healthier, more energy-efficient homes.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

Use the Homestar Energy and Carbon Calculator (ECCHO) - an approved pathway for meeting the H1 section of the building code
Use modelling to consider a whole of house approach to delivering a healthy efficient home
Apply sustainable design principles to real-world projects, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and indoor environmental quality
If you choose to also complete Homestar Fundamentals, you will receive your Homestar Designer accreditation
Understand the certification process, preparing you to lead projects through the Homestar assessment with confidence

Please note: existing PHPP license discount will not apply if you access CGF funding.

Pricing (excl. GST)

$1,745 Member price
$2,615 Non Member price
$1,615 Future Thinkers

Timing

21/04/26
10.00am - 12.00pm

Where

Online via our training platform

NZRAB CPD Points

80 NZRAB points available

Send us your NZRAB profile number post course completion and we can allocate these points to you!

These are technical accreditations that require an understanding of how homes are designed and built in Aotearoa. Attendees must be able to read and interpret house plans and have a basic understanding of building science. Therefore, one of the following qualifications and/or experience is required to attend either of these courses:

Architectural designer, architect
Engineer
Building scientist/technologist
Quantity surveyor
Licensed Building Practitioner Level 2 and 3

If you feel you have an equivalent experience, please contact us.

Get to know the New Zealand Green Building Council

Meet and join our community

Our network for students and young professionals

Keep up to date

Getting started

Certify a commercial building project

Certify a community development

Certify a building's operational performance

Operate at Net Zero

Certify the design and construction of a new home

Improve your existing home

Upcoming events & training

Professional development

Search