Jonathan Holmes
Wānaka · 2 people, 164 m² · Battery, EV, Heat pump, Hot water heat pump, Induction cooking, Solar
The house is maintained at a comfortable 20ºC every day of the year.
$10,800 saved per year
What's in your electric home?
Everything in our home is electric. We utilise an induction cooktop and electric/part steam oven, integrated heat pump hot water cylinder with direct hot water connection to the dishwasher. Both showers have wastewater heat recovery systems. Heating/cooling is via an air-to-air wall mounted heat pump and the home also incorporates whole house mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.
When did you start, and why?
When the opportunity arose to build a new house we pursued a standard of building developed in Germany called Passive House. When we completed the dwelling it was the 15th building worldwide to be built to this standard and the first in New Zealand, potentially being the most energy efficient building of any type in New Zealand.
How much have you saved?
The use of a ground mounted solar system with battery has saved over $30,000 in the last 6-7 years. However, avoiding the use of fossil fuels to power the home and not needing the additional tradesmen onsite during construction would also have reduced construction costs.
What do you love most about it?
The house is maintained at a comfortable 20ºC every day of the year. There is never any condensation on the window frames or glass and everything pretty much runs on the electricity we generate on-site.
Any advice?
When building a new house, make it electric from the beginning and prioritise the installation of rooftop solar as part of the build budget.
Solar: 13.6 kW, 38 panels
Battery: 13.5 kWh
Vehicles: 2x EVs