Low-Cost Solutions for Improving the Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings in New Zealand
Aavril Anna Jose1, V. Vishnupriya1
- Massey University
Published in Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024), edited by Ali GhaffarianHoseini, Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, Farzad Rahimian and Mahesh Babu Purushothaman. Springer Nature, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, volume 591, 2025, pages 1172 to 1186. DOI 10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_112.
Abstract
Over the past two decades, the residential building sector has emerged as one of New Zealand’s highest energy consumers due to economic development, social improvement, and population growth. This expansion has led to increased energy inefficiencies, characterised by larger housing sizes and suboptimal construction standards, resulting in higher energy use, elevated living costs, and reduced comfort levels. This research addresses the urgent need for affordable and environmentally friendly retrofitting solutions to enhance the energy efficiency of New Zealand homes. By examining successful global retrofitting strategies and assessing their suitability for the New Zealand context, this study aims to identify low-cost options that can significantly reduce energy usage and contribute to the country’s zero-carbon targets.A qualitative study was employed, starting with a comprehensive literature review, followed by an online survey of NZ homeowners to gauge their preferences and readiness to adopt sustainable retrofitting solutions. The thematic analysis of the literature identified key areas such as sunlight and heat regulation, natural ventilation, thermal insulation, and space utilisation. Statistical analysis of survey responses highlighted a strong preference for cost-effective solutions like soft furnishings, sliding mesh windows, roof canopies, and strategic landscaping with trees and bushes.The study underscores the necessity for supportive policies and incentives from the government to encourage the adoption of energy-efficient retrofitting methods and innovation in new materials and technologies to reduce residential energy consumption. The findings offer valuable insights for homeowners, policymakers, and the academic community, advocating for practical, economical, and sustainable retrofitting solutions to help NZ achieve its zero-carbon aspirations.
Keywords
Session
Presented in Track I, Saturday 9 November 2024, 11:00 to 13:00, room WA 224 A, Auckland University of Technology. Session chair Dr Mathias Valenzuela.
How to Cite
Jose, A. A., & Vishnupriya, V. (2025). Low-Cost Solutions for Improving the Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings in New Zealand. In A. GhaffarianHoseini, A. GhaffarianHoseini, F. Rahimian, & M. B. Purushothaman (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024) (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Vol. 591, pp. 1172–1186). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_112
About the Conference
Presented at SASBE 2024, the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, held in Auckland from 7 to 9 November 2024 and chaired by Professors Ali and Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, founders of GDI Academy. The version of record is published by Springer Nature; this page is the conference archive record kept by GDI Academy.