Design and refurbishing
When you’re building new, or refurbishing an existing building, factor energy efficiency into your plan right from the start, and enjoy energy and cost savings over the long term.
Field studies have shown there can be a significant difference in energy consumption between similar buildings and that construction-related issues are the single biggest contributor to the differences. Clearly, there is plenty of scope to reduce energy consumption through energy-aware design.
Energy efficient buildings do more for business than just save money. Research has indicated that well designed, healthy workplace environments can result in self-reported productivity gains of up to 5%. [1]
Case study: Selwyn's award-winning HQ a model for efficiency
Selwyn District Council’s new building was designed to be future-proof and energy efficient. A review before construction managed to find even more efficiencies – more than halving the estimated annual energy spend. Read about Selwyn's design, build and results.
Help from EECA
Grants and funding:
Design audits
If your building project is in its early stages, you would probably benefit from a design audit. Design audits check that your plans include the latest energy management best practice. They may even provide information on how you can reduce construction costs.
An EECA commercial building design grant may help fund energy efficiency advice for new commercial building projects and refurbishments. Energy expertise will be funded at four stages:
- initial concept
- design process
- commissioning stage
- post-occupation audit
Find out more about building design grants.
Related links:
- New Zealand Green Building Council
- Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment - Building and housing information. (formerly Department of Building and Housing)
Notes:
[1] "Users Perceptions of Health in Sustainable Buildings - Worldwide", George Baird and Hedda Oosterhoff, Presented at the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction, CIB W70 International Conference in Facilities Management, Heriot-Watt University, 16-18 June 2008, Edinburgh
