Building Green can be affordable

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

Claims by the South Australian Housing Industry Association that costs of 7-star homes are $40,000 more than 6-star are simply untrue with appropriate 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. The Australian Glass & Window Association has shown the cost averages $4,300. In many cases with careful consideration, starting at the purchase of the block, considering window orientation, form of the building and 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.

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.