Building Green can be affordable

Use of rendered expanded polystyrene insulation can very cost effectively meet 7-star building requirements.

The South Australian Master Builders Association could have started helping their members design economical seven-star homes, three years ago when first mooted. Instead, they have fought to delay implementation every step of the way.

They claim costs will increase by $40,000 without stating the size and cost of the original home design.

A large six-star home, facing the wrong way (likely a four-star home design tweaked to become six stars) upgraded with the first solution thought of, could cost $40,000, although with optimisation I could significantly reduce the cost.

Starting from a blank sheet of paper and designing from the ground up as a seven-star home the cost increase would be less than the government’s estimate of $10,000. In many cases with changed material selections, a home can be built for the same cost as before.

Some features with high energy demands were cheap to build with the old code, but now are more expensive, while other attractive features cost the same now as before. The trick is to design with the attractive features that are inexpensive but avoid the expensive features.

There is even the opportunity to add some marketing features that will be exceptionally low cost, given the improved building performance.

To achieve this, costs must be considered at every stage, from ensuring the land development gives good north exposure for all blocks, consideration of the form of the house and building material selection.
​
Even with high interest rates, the savings in running costs will be less than the interest on the extra loan for an intelligently designed home. 

To find out how to cost effectively achieve a 7-star energy rating go to Architect and Builder Services.