Energy efficient homes pricier to build say architects

Architects are claiming proposed planning rules requiring all new homes in Christchurch to be energy and water efficient could add $15,000 to the cost of home building.

The new rules are included in the Christchurch City Council's Proposed Christchurch Replacement District Plan (PCRDP) and stipulate that all new residential dwellings in Christchurch should be built to a minimum HomeStar 6 rating.

The New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) is challenging the proposed rule change, saying it will add unnecessary costs to the building process. It is also questioning whether the council has the authority to require homes to be built to a higher standard than required under the Building Act.

Homes built strictly according to the standards of the Building Act would only achieve a HomeStar 4 rating.

''We do not consider introducing special rules just for new housing within the Christchurch city limits is the right way to go,'' the NZIA said in a written submission.

''We have had some of our highly experienced branch members . . . consider the potential cost implications associated with complying with the increased insulation Homestar requirements and based on a typical budget house we estimate the proposed District Plan requirements will add in order of $15,000 per dwelling.''

When another proposed rule change requiring new homes to include ''adaptive design'' features - features which make it safe and easy for older people and people with disabilities to live in the homes - was added into the equation, the additional costs could be as high as $25,000 for a typical budget house, the NZIA said.

Christchurch architect Andrew Evans has also lodged a submission against the proposed rule changes.

''They haven't been well though out and certainly no cost benefit analysis has been done. From rough estimates we calculate it would add around $26,000 to a budget house.

That's a good chunk of someone's house deposit. So much for housing affordability,'' Evans said.

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Energy efficient homes pricier to build say architects