Simple tips for a more energy-efficient home
Nothing takes the shine off your new home quite like that first energy bill. The pictures are up, the grass is growing, and then the power man comes to collect on your new abode. Hot summers require air conditioning, cold winters require heat pumps, warmth is slipping through the cracks and sunlight is wasted on the driveway.
While many believe an energy efficient home is more expensive to build, we’re here to set the record straight with a few smart choices that will save you more than a pretty penny in the long run.
At CKH Construction, we’re not experts in passive home design. What we are is a local building company that cares deeply about crafting energy-efficient homes that are easy on the eye and pocket. We’re passionate about finding practical ways to do better, and while we’re still learning ourselves, we know that every home can perform better when built with care and intention.
What does being ‘energy efficient' really mean?
An energy-efficient home performs better in everyday life, working in harmony with its environment and using less power to heat, cool, and light the space. That might mean maximising natural light, making use of solar gain in winter, and thinking carefully about shade and ventilation for the warmer months. These choices make the home more comfortable to live in and cheaper to run, all the while reducing its environmental impact over time. Win, win, double win.
What is the difference between ‘energy-efficient homes' and ‘passive homes'?
Both ‘passive homes’ and ‘energy-efficient homes’ aim to reduce energy use - the difference is in how strictly they’re defined. A true passive home is measured to an international standard with specific performance targets for insulation, airtightness, and ventilation. It’s a science-led approach that demands thorough testing and certification - but this level of performance doesn’t come cheap, and isn’t realistic for every budget.
An energy-efficient home, by contrast, has no fixed standard. It simply uses less energy than an average build. That might mean better insulation, thoughtful window placement, efficient appliances, or mechanical ventilation to help your home breathe. However, even without being passive home certified, you can apply many of the same principles in affordable, attainable ways to build a more energy-efficient home. It’s about understanding what matters most, making smart trade-offs, and designing a home that works with the environment rather than against it.
“Often, people hear ‘passive home’ and think it’s all too hard and expensive,” says Kelly, co-founder of CKH Construction. “I did too, before I knew better. But even with a little thought in the design stage, you can really make a home perform much better.”
Building a fully energy-efficient home can be expensive - what can I do?
Building a new home always involves balancing priorities, and budget plays a big part in decision-making. It’s worth looking into Green Loans, which are low or even zero-interest loans offered by most banks that can be used to invest in sustainable features (such as solar panels, higher-quality insulation, or efficient heating systems) that may otherwise fall outside your budget.
However, improving energy efficiency doesn’t always mean spending more: it’s about being thoughtful in where you invest. Simple, strategic choices can have a big impact on how your home performs, making your home more comfortable and cost-effective without blowing the budget.
What are some ways I can be more energy-efficient on a budget?
Design: Work with an architect to consider environmental factors in the design phase, including positioning, orientation and layout. Take advantage of natural light and passive solar gain during the cooler months, and consider shading and ventilation to help your home stay cool in summer. Even the colour and material of your roof and cladding influence how much heat your home absorbs.
Top tip: We work with Sam Jones Designs, an architect who, like us, is on a journey to more energy-efficient home designs. Salmond Architecture, Rafe Maclean Architects, and Chaney & Norman Architects are also leading local architects doing well in this space.
Materials: Consider how materials perform. At CKH Construction, we work with you to find the best performance for your budget, collaborating with contractors and suppliers who keep your future energy bills in mind. We’ll make sure you understand the R-value of your double glazing, for example, and what that means for your long-term electricity costs.
Insulation: Good insulation, especially in the ceiling and under the floors, helps your home stay warm in winter and cool in summer and cut heating and cooling costs. In Wānaka, the building code demands very high insulation levels because it’s a cold climate, so we use thicker, high-performance materials. And because different insulation types (batts, rigid board, blown) last and perform differently, we work with you to choose durable products and make sure they’re installed properly so your home stays energy-efficient long-term.
Window placement: Think about how your windows are positioned to capture natural light and warmth (focus on North & West facing windows in Wānaka and Lake Hāwea), while avoiding too much direct summer sun that could lead to overheating. If your budget allows, thermally broken windows are a great long-term investment, helping reduce heat loss through the frames.
Appliances and finishings: Choose products with high energy ratings (Gen Less has the inside word) and consider switching to LED lighting. For your stovetop and hot water, there’s now a really strong case for going electric: gas prices in New Zealand have risen significantly, while efficient electric options like heat pump water heaters or induction cooktops are more cost-effective over time. According to EECA, a heat-pump hot water system has much lower running costs than a gas hot water system. On top of that, using electricity instead of gas generally means lower emissions - gas generates more CO₂ per kWh than New Zealand’s largely renewable electricity.
Solar: Installing rooftop solar panels is a smart way to make your home more energy efficient. Solar PV captures sunlight and turns it into electricity right at your home, cutting your power bill - and once it’s paid for itself, you’ve got almost ‘free’ electricity for decades. With power prices rising, now is a particularly good time to consider solar. Plus, recent changes from the government are making it easier to install panels, including quicker turnarounds on building consents for solar.
Choosing the right suppliers and partners
Building an energy-efficient home is a team effort - and nowadays, there are so many companies doing things better. Try to stick with local Wānaka suppliers and manufacturers who share the same values and passion for sustainable building. Many of our partners or suppliers already prioritise quality and longevity in both materials and craftsmanship, like Mitre 10 Mega Wānaka, Allied Concrete Wānaka, and Power On Point. Working with local experts not only supports the community but also reduces the emissions that come with transporting materials long distances.
Ready to build?
Energy efficiency doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Whether it’s making smarter design choices, maximising insulation, or simply choosing better-rated appliances, every decision adds up to a home that’s more comfortable, affordable, and better for the planet.
If you’d like to learn more about the practical steps you can take, check out the resources at Gen Less or the New Zealand Green Building Council. Both are great starting points for anyone wanting to dive deeper. And if you’re planning to build in Wānaka or Central Otago, we’d love to chat about how small, smart decisions can make a big difference on your next build. Go on, get in touch.
Get in touch
Ready to craft your next home a little more thoughtfully? Get in touch, and let’s get efficient.