What is a high Performing Home

Mindful Builder

Today’s topic is one we’re really passionate about: high-performance homes. This term gets thrown around a lot these days, and while it’s a fantastic concept. there needs to be some context around what actually makes a home high-performance. And no, just wrapping a building doesn’t cut it. So, let's break it down.

Here are some of the most important things for what we consider a high-performance home:

1. Thermal Modelling: High-performance homes start with rigorous thermal modelling. This isn't about eliminating bits and pieces to get a budget-friendly build; it’s about making intelligent decisions based on data. Whether it’s opting for double or triple glazing, every choice has a calculated basis.

2. Passive Solar Design: Architects and designers must incorporate passive solar design, utilising the sun’s heat in winter and proper shading in summer.

3. Water Management: Water is a building’s worst enemy. We ensure complete water-tightness by wrapping the roof, walls, and subfloors. Air brings moisture so we also need to ensure the house is airtight.

4. Mechanical Ventilation: With an airtight home, you need mechanical ventilation to manage air quality. Expecting windows to suffice for natural ventilation is impractical – who opens windows on cold mornings while running the heater?

5. Quality Materials: High-performance homes don’t cut corners on materials. Quality windows, doors, and insulation are non-negotiable if we are to deliver on our promises of energy efficiency and durability.

6. All-Electric Homes: A true high-performance home cannot rely on fossil fuels like gas. All-electric homes, ideally with solar panels, are the way forward.

7. Testing, Testing, Testing: How can you claim a house is airtight without testing it? We use blower door tests and thermal imaging to confirm the performance. This step is non-negotiable for us. This is a huge shortfall in the broader building industry where many claim to build high-performance homes but skip the key step of verification.

You might wonder why we go to such lengths. Simply put, we want to provide homes that are not only energy-efficient but also comfortable, healthy, and durable. We're talking about homes with low energy bills that stand the test of time without requiring frequent renovations.

No high-performance home can be built without collaboration. It requires everyone to be involved and on the same page from the very start to the final touches. And yes, that includes clients, which is why we vet our clients carefully. We always advise our clients to be actively involved in the process, even if they’re overseas or interstate. Their involvement ensures that we align on expectations and deliver the promised performance.

Here in Australia, the standard for building isn’t as high as it should be. Too much focus is placed on keeping things cheap, and we end up with homes that need constant renovations or that aren’t suited for their environment. So, while our standards for high-performance homes might seem strict we firmly believe that the long-term benefits in comfort, energy savings, and durability are well worth it.

Thanks for tuning in!