The True Cost and Value of Building a High-Performance Home with Zelena Homes
When it comes to building your dream home, understanding the cost—and what you’re truly investing in—is essential. At Zelena Homes, we know that building a high-performance home isn’t just about the initial price per square metre; it’s about creating an eco-friendly home design that’s efficient, comfortable, and built to last. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the costs and core principles of a high-performance home, so you can make informed decisions about your future.
Understanding the Cost Spectrum of Home Builds
The cost of building a home can vary significantly depending on the type of construction and level of customization involved. Here’s a quick overview of average building costs per square metre across different home types:
Typical Volume Home Builder: $1,500 – $1,900 per sqm
Custom Home Build: $2,650 – $4,000 per sqm
High-Performance Home: $4,500 per sqm
Architecturally Designed Home: $6,000 – $8,000 per sqm
At Zelena Homes, we’re proud to deliver high-performance homes at a more accessible price point, with costs ranging from $3,600 to $3,800 per sqm. Our competitive pricing doesn’t mean we cut corners; it means we use intelligent design and efficient building methods to create energy-efficient homes that support sustainable living without compromising on quality.
What is a High-Performance Home?
A high-performance home goes beyond standard construction to deliver energy efficiency, durability, and year-round comfort. Designed with advanced building techniques and eco-friendly materials, these homes minimise energy use, reduce environmental impact, and create healthier living spaces. Not only does this mean lower maintenance and energy costs, but it also results in a smaller carbon footprint and a more sustainable future.
Eight Core Principles Behind Our High-Performance Homes
At Zelena Homes, we build with purpose, adhering to eight core principles that set our homes apart for their efficiency and comfort:
Passive Solar Design
We strategically place windows, shading, and insulation to harness natural sunlight and warmth. This reduces the need for artificial heating and cooling, providing significant energy savings while creating comfortable indoor living spaces.
Airtight Construction
By meticulously sealing joints and penetrations, we prevent air leakage, helping maintain a consistent indoor climate. This airtight construction ensures your home stays cosy in winter and cool in summer, maximising both energy efficiency and comfort.
Water and Moisture Management
With advanced moisture barriers, we protect the home’s structure from water damage and mould growth, ensuring a healthier indoor environment. Proper moisture management is vital for longevity and prevents issues like dampness, which can compromise indoor air quality.
Continuous Insulation
Our homes feature continuous insulation that provides uniform thermal resistance across the entire building envelope, minimising thermal bridges and creating an energy-efficient, comfortable environment that reduces heating and cooling needs.
Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) System
An HRV system recovers up to 95% of the heat from outgoing air, maintaining excellent indoor air quality without energy loss. This helps reduce utility costs while ensuring fresh, clean air flows throughout the home.
High-Performance Windows and Doors
We use high-quality uPVC windows and doors for superior insulation and durability. By maintaining consistent indoor temperatures, these high-performance elements contribute to reduced energy costs and greater overall comfort.
Fully Electric, Renewable-Ready Systems
Our high-performance homes are designed for all-electric systems, prioritising renewable energy sources like solar. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels and can even allow for zero-net-energy consumption when paired with solar panels.
Rigorous Testing and Quality Checks
Every Zelena Homes project undergoes rigorous testing to ensure all systems meet high-performance standards. This includes blower door tests to confirm airtightness, ensuring the efficiency and quality of your home’s systems and materials.
Design-First Approach: Optimising Energy Efficiency from the Start
At Zelena Homes, we believe in a design-first approach that maximises your home’s energy efficiency from the very beginning. Our commitment to passive solar design and orientation allows us to harness natural sunlight and minimise artificial energy use. By prioritising sustainable construction practices during the design phase, we ensure that every room in your home is optimally placed for natural light, warmth, and comfort.
Long-Term Savings and Benefits of High-Performance Homes
While a high-performance home may come with a higher initial cost than a standard build, the long-term savings and lifestyle benefits make it a wise investment for the future. Here’s what you can expect:
Energy Savings: The energy efficiency of high-performance homes leads to substantial reductions in energy use, resulting in lower monthly utility bills.
Reduced Maintenance Costs: Built with durable materials and designed for resilience, these homes require fewer repairs and replacements over time, saving you money on maintenance.
Higher Property Value: High-performance homes often have a higher resale value, as energy efficiency and sustainable home features are increasingly sought after by buyers.
Enhanced Comfort and Health: With consistent indoor temperatures, high-performance homes provide a more comfortable living environment. Plus, features like advanced ventilation and moisture control support cleaner, healthier indoor air.
Choosing to build a high-performance home is about making a lasting investment in your comfort, health, and future savings. Our energy-efficient designs provide you with a sustainable home that’s as eco-friendly as it is comfortable.
Ready to Build a Home That Works for You and the Planet?
Building a high-performance home with Zelena Homes means choosing quality, sustainability, and a commitment to the future. We’re here to support you every step of the way, with energy-efficient home designs, sustainable construction practices, and custom home building tailored to your lifestyle and needs.
Get in touch with us today to explore how we can turn your vision into a high-performance home that offers lasting value and comfort. Together, let’s build a home that’s ready for the future and designed for today.
