A basic, but vital step is for our industry to measuring our impact, and the performance of the homes we create. In the latest iteration of Homestar, version 5, we introduced new carbon accountability requirements for homes aiming for certification. Alongside these requirements, we created the Energy and Carbon Calculator for Homes (ECCHO) which draws on some of the robust methodology and science of the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) calculator for designers and assessors.
Just over two years on from its launch, we’re now celebrating the 7000th home going through the modelling system. ECCHO has seen fantastic uptake and is being used by hundreds of designers throughout Aotearoa. It’s indicative of the increasing awareness and demand for healthier, more efficient and low-carbon homes in Aotearoa. Modelling homes can help deliver on these goals.
Brilliantly, we have seen the use of ECCHO expanding beyond Homestar assessments, with the tool increasingly recognised and being used for building consent submissions too. ECCHO now meets ASHRAE requirements and we’ve seen Auckland, Queenstown Lakes and Christchurch City councils signing off on consent submissions that have used ECCHO for H1. For those familiar with this process, you’ll be interested to know that a PS1 is not necessary because ECCHO has met the rigorous ASHRAE testing requirements. Christchurch City Council has received, accepted, and granted consents with ECCHO H1 reports since early 2023 without the need of a PS1.
We are seeing strong signals that modelling is likely to be required under the building code changes in the next two years, as the building code does not currently factor:
Just over two years on from its launch, we’re now celebrating the 7000th home going through the modelling system. ECCHO has seen fantastic uptake and is being used by hundreds of designers throughout Aotearoa. It’s indicative of the increasing awareness and demand for healthier, more efficient and low-carbon homes in Aotearoa. Modelling homes can help deliver on these goals.
Brilliantly, we have seen the use of ECCHO expanding beyond Homestar assessments, with the tool increasingly recognised and being used for building consent submissions too. ECCHO now meets ASHRAE requirements and we’ve seen Auckland, Queenstown Lakes and Christchurch City councils signing off on consent submissions that have used ECCHO for H1. For those familiar with this process, you’ll be interested to know that a PS1 is not necessary because ECCHO has met the rigorous ASHRAE testing requirements. Christchurch City Council has received, accepted, and granted consents with ECCHO H1 reports since early 2023 without the need of a PS1.
We are seeing strong signals that modelling is likely to be required under the building code changes in the next two years, as the building code does not currently factor:
- embodied carbon
- waste
- resilience to climate change
- health and well being
- adequate ventilation
- preventing overheating.
For those keen to get up to speed, we’ll be hosting ECCHO training sessions around March next year so keep an eye on our events page and emails for more details to come.
Image sourced from Dan Freeman on Unsplash.