11 minute read
Cold comfort
C LD COMFORT
Here in New Zealand, every winter, without fail, we hear horror stories about individuals living in horridly damp and mouldy conditions.
The government’s healthy homes standards, which set minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture, drainage and draught-stopping in rental properties, became law on July 1, 2019. However, according to an annual survey of renters and landlords by Colmar Brunton, in 2021, 57 percent of 1600 renters reported a problem with dampness or mould – a two percent increase since 2020.
Specifically, these issues included the presence of mould, poor insulation, gaps in floorboards, walls or windows, no heating in the main living area or bedrooms, or no hot water.
Condensation was also a recurring problem, with 37 percent reporting regular condensation on windows during winter and 29 percent needing to remove water from their windows daily. And the situation was markedly worse for young people and renters. Sixty-five percent of people under the age of 35 reported they were living in homes (many of which would likely be rental properties), which had issues with mould, heating and/or insulation. In addition to this, more than one in five of the 1,000 landlords surveyed admitted the main living room in their rental property did not have appropriate heating. With the coldest, wettest days of winter unfortunately still ahead of us, there are a few factors we can check on around the house to make winter pass more comfortably. Mustiness, mouldy walls and weeping windows are all hallmark signals that you may need to reduce moisture and increase ventilation or heating in your home. If you do happen to notice any of these signs, the first and most important place to start, is to reduce any sources of dampness. Indeed, you’d be surprised at how easily moisture can slip undetected into your home. One of the largest – yet sneakiest – sources of dampness, is moisture evaporating up from the ground through your floors. With this in mind, always check under your property and fix any drainage, guttering or plumbing issues — then consider installing a sealed moisture control sheet.
Now, once the primary sources of dampness have been dealt to, it’s time to consider ventilation. According to the World Health Organisation, 18°C is a healthy temperature for any room being used – higher for children, the elderly and people who are ill. Yet, Health Navigator NZ reports that many homes in Aotearoa sit at an average of 6°C below this guideline during the winter months.
As a general rule of thumb – if the indoor temperature is at least seven degrees C warmer than the outdoor temperature, it’ll prevent condensation forming on colder surfaces.
Keep in mind, if you’re using a heat pump it’s more costeffective to use low levels of heat consistently, rather than high levels in short bursts. This will also prevent condensation. Another handy trick to keep the draft out, is to use draught seal tape around windows and doors to keep the cold air out and reduce condensation.
If you’re renting, a good exercise is to always check existing insulation is in good condition. As a guide, insulation should fill up to the top of the roof/ceiling joists. Snug-fitting curtains are also useful in helping retain passive heat from the sun during the day.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, opening your windows on a chilly day can allow airflow and ventilation to remove any excess moisture that’s hanging around inside.
If you haven’t already, make a habit out of using extractor fans – especially in wet areas such as the bathroom and kitchen. A dehumidifier is also an efficient – albeit more costly – way to target parts of your home that don’t otherwise get enough airflow. New homes, if designed, insulated and ventilated well, can have little to no heating or cooling requirements in many parts of New Zealand. Conversely, older homes that were built with littleto-no insulation can often be quite expensive to heat.
5top home heating tips
If you want to help keep your whānau healthy this winter, make sure your home is kept wellventilated and warm.
Here are Health Navigator New Zealand’s top five tips to keep your home warm this winter season:
1. Insulate your house
Insulation in the roof and under the floor keeps your house warm and dry in winter. Some local or regional councils offer insulation deals and the Winter Energy Payment is available for some people. Insulation is also now compulsory in all rental homes.
2. Install snug-fitting curtains
Having snug-fitting curtains helps keep your house warm. There are several curtain banks that provide good quality, secondhand curtains. Make sure you open your curtains in the morning to let the sun’s heat in and close them just before sunset to keep the cold out.
3. Draught-proof windows and doors
Check there aren’t any draughts coming in through any windows or doors, as this will make your house cold. A draught stopper across the bottom of a door (or a rolled up dry towel) helps keep the cold out.
4. Purchase a good heater
Electric heaters are cheap to buy and safe to use. A heat pump with a thermostat is also a good option as it keeps the cost down. Portable or unflued indoor gas heaters release dangerous toxins and increase moisture.
5. Get rid of mould immediately
If you see mould, get rid of it as soon as possible. Mould grows in damp and wet places and can cause health problems. You can use a bleach solution or white vinegar to remove it.
The global pandemic has changed the face of the home market, instigating great opportunities in design and construction. Delivery times and access to products may be affected but the desire for the comforts of home and the ability to innovate far outweigh the negatives.
In the past year many international Kiwis have returned home and New Zealand Kiwis adjusted to life without travel. The result was a building boom in the domestic renovation and building market, with an emphasis on the most functional spaces: bathrooms. They are a place of relaxation and escape, a haven to pamper oneself and revitalise and are being paid increased attention during design phases. Bathroomware market leader Oakleys Plumbing Supplies reports that current customers are not shy about achieving the best results they can, with the demand for top-quality bathroomware and plumbing systems higher than ever. People are not only building for function, there is an aspect of comfort and pride in their projects, too. Oakleys’ commitment to both New Zealand manufacturers and the best of the European suppliers, ensures customers are never without choice of product. Popular amongst homeowners at the moment are tapware in living metals which patina with age, and concrete basins and baths with their raw beauty and anchoring effect. German designed thermostatically controlled shower systems are in demand so you never have to worry about consistency in water temperature again, as are intelligent toilets which incorporate bidet systems and therefore an environment of increased hygiene. Oakleys has a talented team of consultants amongst its four stores, who not only have encyclopaedic knowledge of bathroomware products, but also offer design services, spatial planning advice, colour consultancies and an architectural service for architects and designers. As a result of increased demand in the bathroom industry, the Oakleys Group is in the midst of a showroom rejuvenation programme. Both Nelson and Cromwell stores have their state-ofthe-art showrooms open with Dunedin’s renovation currently in design and Christchurch’s to follow.
Designed by award-winning designer Davinia Sutton, the showrooms introduce a standard rarely seen in New Zealand showrooms before.
Davinia has created a raft of concept bathrooms showcasing the company’s amazing product lines and teamed them with impressive lighting, and beautiful tile, wallpaper and paint choices to showcase exactly what is achievable in today’s bathroom design world. The showrooms also feature kitchen and laundry products, extensive tapware collections, and working displays where you can test products before you buy. Oakleys’ dedication to design, workmanship and service has been evident since the company was established in 1875. When Henry Oakley and John Morgan Taylor founded Taylor & Oakley Plumbers Iron and Tinplate Workers, Gasfitters and Bellhangers, Christchurch was a newly established city and their products were the preferred fittings by reputable plumbers. Now 145 years later the company proudly maintains its locally owned and operated status with the owner of each branch found on the shop floor every day. This dedication to locals helping locals is at the forefront of the exceptional Oakleys’ service.
A passion for construction
Max Zhao from NewTech Homes boasts an impressive resume which showcases his broad knowledge and expertise. • Director at Newtech Homes Ltd
Max Zhao from NewTech Homes has ample experience in the industry; experience which reveals itself in the company’s work.
His passion and love for construction is evident and after seven years in the industry, he knew it was time to begin the mission of starting his own construction company; this was how NewTech Homes was born.
Specialist foundations in Canterbury Every slab is special to us
027 702 1055 boxitfoundations.co.nz
He currently has his LBP design level 2 license, LBP carpentry license, is a registered master builder and is also New Zealand registered QS. His company provides design and build services, and Max has massive knowledge about design, building code, and cost control - that’s why clients come back to sign with them again and again. Clients of NewTech Homes know that Max and the team make the entire process stress-free and easy, all their clients have to do is sit back and watch their plans come to life.
They also have recently completed many multi units and have more lined up for the rest of 2022 and 2023. • Former Project Manager at
Mike Greer Homes 2013-2017
• Former Quantity Surveyor at
Switched On 2011-2013
• Studies BE (Hons) Civil at University of Southern Queensland – Australia
• Studied Bachelor’s Degree in Business Studies/
Administration/Management at Massey University • Studied Bachelor of
Engineering (Civil Engineering) at Open Polytechnic of New
Zealand
• Studied Bachelor of
Construction Quantity
Surveying & Project
Management at Massey
University • Studied Carpentry level 4 at
UCOL Universal College of
Learning - Palmerston North.
Their process usually begins before the client bids on a piece of land, so they can design to maximise the number of units to suit the land and provide the estimated cost to achieve maximum return for the client.
Developers are welcome to contact us for more details about subdividing and multi-build units.
What really sets Newtech Homes apart is they specialise in tailoring the design and build to your site and budget. No site is too difficult or unique for the team here to make tailor to exactly what you had in mind. Max is an advocate of this mantra from fabled architect Frank Lloyd Wright: “No house should ever be on any hill… It should be of the hill, belonging to it, so hill and house could live together each the happier for the other”. For a hill site, which is notorious for being costly and at times difficult, their goal is to sit the house within the landscape, as part of it, as opposed to dominating it. The hillside itself inspires the concept of the home. There are two ways to build a house on a sloped lot: using the “cut and fill” method or making use of stilts.
NewTech Homes have expertise in crafting wonderful homes on hill sites. They will always discuss the plan, cost and process to build your dream home at your budget. The process of bringing that picture to life is more complicated than it would be for the average dwelling however, with experienced builders, they are fully managing all the stages to the highest standards. They also carry out renovation jobs for your existing home. So, is 2022 finally the year that you are going to give your home the spruce up you’ve been wanting to do for years? NewTech Homes takes the stress out of the project, you really are in the best hands possible. Your home will look completely transformed without blowing the bank. Max has a lovely wife and daughter, who always supports him in his endeavours and is a large reason for his ongoing success. From renovations, high spec homes, lower-cost investment properties, and multi-units the crew at Newtech Homes really do have knowledge in every facet of the industry. Get in contact with them today, Max would love to hear from you.
NewTech Homes Christchurch 021 557 625 max@newtechhomes.co.nz
We provide repairs, installations, maintenance, top service, equipment, materials, and most importantly, a solution for all of your electrical needs.
New House Wiring Fibre Ready Data Security System Audio / Visual Heat Pumps
