Hurunui Sustainable Building Trust
Sustainability is our future.
Constructing and operating buildings requires vast amounts of energy, water and materials. When and how they are built has dramatic effects on both the eco-system and environment. As the environmental impact of buildings becomes increasingly apparent, a rapidly growing global pressure has created a requirement for sustainable design in our developments.
The Hurunui Sustainable Building Trust has initiated a Medals Of Sustainability Scheme (M.O.S.S.) It will employ a rating system where a house will "earn" credits for different sustainability features, such as double glazing, quality of insulation, passive solar energy design, rainwater collection tank, solar hot water heating, recycled grey water, dual flush toilets, energy rated appliances, and more. A mix of these sustainability features will earn sufficient points for either a Medal of Sustainability or a Medal of Distinction in Sustainability.
A "Green" certificate of compliance is going to be a selling feature and a point of difference in the future when you decide to sell your home. It does cost marginally more to build a "sustainable rated" house, however, a degree of these outlays are recovered over time. For example, some solar hot water systems have an eight year pay back period via the savings in power. High quality insulation and passive solar design reduces the need for additional heating.
The Trust will spearhead a movement of environmentally responsible planning/construction processes and outcomes in the Hurunui District, and also be responsible for the identification of a range of sustainable building product supplies.
