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Homestar for home buyers

All the information you need when building or buying a Homestar home.

Find a Homestar professional
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Looking for a better, healthier home?

A Homestar certification should give you the confidence that your home will be more sustainable, easier to keep warm and, depending on how you choose to live and use its features, have lower running-costs. 

Homestar provides a clear framework for home sustainability and performance. It’s a comprehensive, independent tool that awards points across various credits to rate a home’s performance and environmental impact. There are mandatory minimum requirements around keeping the home, warm, dry, well-ventilated and resource efficient. 

Homestar is only available for new homes or major home renovations. So, if you're working with an architect or a group home builder, be sure to let them know your intention to build a Homestar rated home from the outset. This will ensure that your house design incorporates the key criteria required for the build, eliminating the need to make changes along the way. 

To achieve a Homestar rating, a home is independently assessed against strict health, efficiency and sustainability criteria. That assessment is then audited by the New Zealand Green Building Council, so you can trust the rating

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Little to no additional cost

A study by consultants Aurecon, with costings by quantity surveyors Kwanto, found the cost of meeting a 6 Homestar v5 rating compared to the latest Building Code energy efficiency requirements was between 0-1.3% depending on where you are in the country.

The report found the cost, excluding fees, of building to Homestar 6 varied from no additional cost for a 2 bedroom terrace in Christchurch and Wellington, to a maximum of 1.3% extra for a 4 bedroom standalone home in Christchurch.

 

 

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Help reduce emissions

The average new New Zealand home produces more than five times too much pollution for our planet to avoid catastrophic climate change. Homestar promotes and incentivises the use of more sustainable materials, less waste, and supports projects to embed more sustainable design and construction practices.

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Make cold, damp homes a thing of the past 

Everyone deserves to live in a warm, dry, comfortable home that doesn't cost the earth to run. Unfortunately, the majority of New Zealand homes fail to deliver the homes we deserve. Homestar sets a higher standard for vital things like insulation, heating, and ventilation, to help keep you and your whānau happy and healthy.

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Use less water and energy

Homestar promotes and incentivises homes that are designed and built in way that reduce emissions and keep your operating costs down. From basic steps such as installing LED lighting and efficient water heating, to major decisions such as installing heat-recovery mechanical ventilation systems or solar. Homestar awards and recognises efforts to keep energy and water use to a minimum.

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Access green finance

Sustainable building and Homestar can help open up your build to sustainable finance offers. Ask your bank what financial incentives they can offer as you create a more sustainable home.

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How to get a Homestar certification

Homestar was developed for new homes and helps guide project teams to build above the Building Code, creating a more comfortable home that is warmer, drier and well ventilated. To ensure your home is designed and built to Homestar, work with a Homestar Professional right from the outset.

Homestar ratings are possible for major renovations of existing homes. Get in touch with one of our Homestar professionals to discuss whether this is right for you. 

Step 1: Registration
Your Homestar Assessor will help you register your project (check out our professional directory for an assessor near you).

You can register via the form below

 

Step 2: Design and build
Use the Homestar tools and calculators to find what will work best for your home.
Step 3: Assessment
Your Homestar Assessor gathers the relevant documentation and submits it on your behalf.
Step 4: Quality Assurance
Assessments are checked through a quality assurance process.
Step 5: Certification
Once the final assessment is complete and your home is deemed as meeting the criteria, you will receive a Homestar certificate. Congratulations!

 

Exemplary New Zealand homes

Explore our growing library of remarkable New Zealand homes, and find out what it takes to build a Homestar home

Homestar case studies

Find a Homestar professional

Find a professional trained in the latest sustainable building practices to guide you through the Homestar certification process, and get your project on track for a rating.

Professionals directory