Standards: The EKOKIT Difference
When you choose an eco-friendly EKOKIT home, you are making a choice based on more than the lowest up-front cost and the lowest allowable standards.
Our sustainable home designers not only work hard to make EKOKIT homes affordable and ensure they exceed current NZ building standards, but they also aim to reduce the environmental impact of building your home and minimise its consumption of resources throughout its life – so that your home (and you, its owners) will leave a healthy and valuable legacy for future generations.
That is why every EKOKIT home is designed with the following five principles in mind:
- Take advantage of passive heating, cooling and ventilation
- Optimise energy efficiency
- Optimise water efficiency
- Minimise toxic building materials and waste
- Use locally made (Australasian) building materials where possible
The information on this page explains in detail how the unique features of every EKOKIT home support these principles – giving you confidence in that in choosing EKOKIT, you are making a responsible decision that you and your family will benefit from and feel proud of for many years to come.
EKOKIT standards vs NZ Building code standards
This table compares just some of the EKOKIT standards with features currently considered ‘standard’ under the NZ building code
| Design Features | EKOKIT standard | NZ Building Code |
|---|---|---|
| Passive heating, cooling & ventilation | Included | (no standard) |
| Foundation/Floor Insulation | R4 | R1.3 (Sth Island) |
| Ceiling Insulation | R5.8 | R3.3 (Sth Island) |
| Exterior wall Insulation | R3.6 | R2.0 (Sth Island) |
| Interior wall insulation | R2.5 | (no standard) |
| Exterior wall thickness | 150mm | 90mm |
| Timber framing materials | Naturally durable | Chemically treated |
| Energy and water efficient dishwasher | Included | (no standard) |
| Water efficient tapware & toilets | Included | (no standard) |
| Low or no VOC cabinetry and finishing materials | Included | (no standard) |
| Locally made (Australasian) building materials | Preferred | (no standard) |
