Rilean Construction's evolution energy efficient homes success prompts first permanent show home

Award-winning Rilean Construction has started work on its first permanent evolution series show home at Jack’s Point Queenstown to help educate people on eco-friendly building methods.

Designed by Queenstown architect Mark Gray, the four bedroom two bathroom home at 9 McKellar Drive spans 225sq m and is located in a north-west facing position at sunny Jack’s Point.

It will open in April 2014 and will have a consultant on site five days a week to show people around the home and answer questions on building energy efficient homes.

The Queenstown-based company pioneered sustainable and energy efficient home building in the South Island when it launched the evolution home series in December 2010.

The evolution philosophy is simple; to design and construct healthier, warmer, more energy efficient and sustainable homes while reducing CO2 emissions.

Since its launch the series has exceeded expectations with a total of 10 contracts underway this year alone.

One home on Speargrass Flat Road, completed last year, achieved a highly-rated six-star Homestar rating for excellence in eco-friendly building, making it the first in Queenstown to receive the accolade.

Rilean Construction director/shareholder Mick Moffatt said over the last two years people had become a lot more interested in building environmentally-responsible homes for not only environmental but also financial reasons.

“We’re increasingly being asked questions about building energy efficiency homes and how they can save people money in the long run, be healthier and protect the environment for future generations,” said Mr Moffatt.

“People have a genuine interest and desire to be better educated about their options and want to understand the value of building an eco-friendly home.

“We monitor all of our homes for energy efficiency post construction and all of our homes are performing way better than we expected at design and modelling stage,” said Mr Moffatt.

“One home in particular is using approximately $1,200 per year for electricity including heating and hot water use.”

Earlier this year the company ran six days of open homes at a St Andrews Park evolution home in Queenstown which attracted over 80 visitors, which is “quite a significant number in a short time”.

“The numbers through the temporary open home, and increased enquiry through our website, gave us the confidence to open up a dedicated show home at Jacks Point.”

Mr Moffatt recently returned from a trip to UK where it’s compulsory for all houses to have an energy rating to build, sell or rent.

“Much like we’re seeing cars, household appliances and electrical equipment rated for its energy efficiency.

“I’m pretty sure we’ll see something similar for homes within the next few years in New Zealand,” said Mr Moffatt.

“Investors and new home owners that invest in their home now will see the benefits when selling and renting in the future.

“House A that is minimum code and has a low scoring energy rating will be a lot less attractive than House B that has a higher energy rating, is energy efficient, warmer, and healthier and could save people upwards of $2,000 per year in running costs.”

Rilean Construction’s evolution series has become something of ‘a revolution’ in just three years and will account for 25% of the company’s turnover this financial year.

With planned expansion into key areas such as Christchurch this figure is expected to grow exponentially within the next five years as people become better educated about the benefits.

“The opening of the permanent Jack’s Point show home is just the beginning for the future of evolution. We’re actively involved in Christchurch’s residential re-build and have already had a number of enquiries from people interested in building evolution homes there.

“It’s just a matter of time before we build Christchurch’s first evolution home and a show home wouldn’t be too far behind,” said Mr Moffatt.

However the company’s eco-friendly options don’t stop with the evolution series. In preparation for the “future of housing”, Rilean will offer ‘Passive House’ options to clients sometime in 2014.

“The Passive House Standard is a building performance standard developed in Germany in the late 1980's and is widely known as the world‘s leading standard in energy efficient construction.”

“It’s subsequently been implemented in over 30,000 buildings worldwide and has been proven to work, through rigorous monitoring and testing.”

“We’ll be working on these designs very shortly and offering it to New Zealand clients from April next year.”

“Even in the harsh Central Otago climate you can achieve a comfortable temperature year round, using very little energy, by incorporating the Passive House standard,” said Mr Moffatt.

For more information on evolution homes visit www.evolutionseries.co.nz

About Rilean Construction
Rilean Construction, established 18 years ago, has won several Master Builders Association awards for its residential and commercial works. Most recent work includes the Kawarau Falls/Hilton apartments, the new Queenstown Airport Corporation departures lounge extension and Queenstown Motor Group’s new car showroom.
 

Rilean has offices in Queenstown and Christchurch and in 2011 launched the evolution series of homes which are sustainable and energy efficient homes.
In 2012, Rilean won the coveted Trade and Construction category at the Westpac Queenstown Chamber of Commerce awards.

About The Passive House Standard
The Passive House Standard stands for quality, comfort and energy efficiency. Certified Passive Houses require very little energy to achieve a comfortable temperature year round, making conventional heating and air conditioning systems obsolete.
While delivering superior levels of comfort, the Passive House Standard also protects the building structure. Houses must meet certain criteria to receive certification.

More details can be found online at www.passivehouse-international.org.