A Breath of Fresh Air: Our Certified Passive Home Project
You know that feeling in winter when the windows fog up, the corners of the house feel a bit damp, and you’re layering up indoors just to stay warm? Or those sticky summer nights where you’re tossing and turning, windows wide open but no relief in sight? We’ve all been there - and even new homes aren’t always immune.
At Mōhua Ventures, we’ve always aimed to do better. Every home we build is designed with comfort, warmth and energy performance in mind. But lately, we’ve been asking ourselves - what’s next? What’s the gold standard for healthy, future-focused homes?
That’s why we’re so excited to share this: we’re building our very first certified Passive House, right here in Tākaka, in collaboration with Signature Homes.
What exactly is a Passive House?
Simply put, it's a home designed to be incredibly energy efficient. Think of it as a really well-insulated home with clever ventilation, that holds onto heat in the cooler months and stays comfortably cool when it's warmer, all while using very little energy for heating and cooling. This is achieved through things like super thick insulation, high-quality windows, and making sure the house is really airtight. A special ventilation system is incorporated that brings in fresh air while keeping the warmth (or coolness) inside – it’s pretty clever!
Now, a common misconception is that Passive Houses are off-grid. While they are super energy efficient, the main idea is to use as little energy as possible in the first place. A Passive House can still be connected to the electricity grid, but the energy bills for heating and cooling will be significantly lower.
Why are we so excited about building a Passive House?
Real Comfort: Imagine a home that feels just right all year round, without that constant need to turn on the heater or air conditioner. It creates a really comfortable living space.
Healthy Air: The ventilation system constantly brings in fresh, filtered air, which is so important for our wellbeing. It helps keep things feeling clean and fresh inside. No more damp corners or weeping windows.
Saving Energy (and Money!): By using so little energy for heating and cooling, you’re not only helping the environment but also saving money on your power bills over time.
Good for Our Place: Building homes that are energy efficient feels like the right thing to do for our community and for the planet we all share.
At Mōhua Ventures, we’re really looking forward to bringing this way of building to Tākaka. We see Passive Houses as a way to create homes that are not only even more wonderful to live in but also tread more lightly on our land.
We’ll keep you updated on our progress!
