Design & Build Your Energy Efficient Homes – with up to a 10-Star Energy-Rating.
Eco Homes are not only better for the environment and climate change-proof. They are created to meet contemporary needs, offering unparalleled comfort, energy efficiency, and value. While they come at a modest premium in terms of pricing, their market value is increasing at a higher rate.
Reducing emissions is a key benefit of eco homes, as they are designed to minimize greenhouse gas emissions through energy-efficient practices and renewable energy sources.
Reducing energy demand is essential for lowering utility costs and minimizing environmental impact.
As the world’s population increases and our impact on the environment grows, the necessity for sustainable living is clearer than ever. One vital step towards a greener future is designing and building eco-friendly houses, like those crafted by Norde Homes, Perth’s leading sustainable home builders.
Introduction to Efficient Homes
Energy efficient homes are designed to minimise energy consumption and reduce environmental impact. In Australia, where residential buildings account for around 24% of overall electricity use, building an energy efficient home is not only a lifestyle choice but also a necessity for the future. By incorporating energy efficient design principles and features, homeowners can reduce their energy bills and contribute to a more sustainable environment. The Australian Government has implemented various initiatives to promote energy efficiency in homes, including the National Construction Code and the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme. These initiatives aim to ensure that new buildings meet high energy efficiency standards, helping to create a more sustainable future for all Australians.
Benefits of Building a Eco Home
Building an energy-efficient home offers numerous benefits, including reduced energy bills, increased comfort, and a positive impact on the environment. Energy efficient homes are designed to maximize energy efficiency, using features such as solar panels, energy efficient appliances, and insulation to minimize energy consumption. By building an eco home, homeowners can take advantage of significant energy savings and reduce their environmental footprint. Additionally, energy efficient homes can increase in value over time, making them a valuable investment for homeowners. In Australia, the demand for energy efficient homes is growing, driven by government initiatives and consumer awareness of the importance of sustainability. This trend not only benefits the environment but also enhances the quality of life for homeowners.
Sustainable houses are energy-efficient, water-wise and promote healthier indoor air quality. They can be built using environmentally responsible materials and sustainability features, such as Low CO2 concrete, recycled bricks, and biowood. The eco home is not only better for the planet but also cost-effective in the long run. Ultimately, these are homes with low carbon footprint and energy consumption.
Home energy efficiency is crucial in reducing energy waste and carbon emissions, especially in older homes built before modern energy standards. Additionally, managing hot water usage effectively can significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Efficiency in Sustainable Home Design
Sustainable homes in Perth, designed with concepts like Australian Passive Solar Design or German Passiv House principles, drastically reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling through energy efficient house design. By integrating double-glazed windows, insulated doors, and wall insulation, sustainable house designs prioritise energy conservation.
Preventing heat loss through proper insulation and air sealing is crucial for maintaining energy efficiency. Effective insulation and air sealing help reduce heating and cooling needs, ultimately lowering energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.
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Good Design Principles
Good design principles are essential for creating an energy efficient home. This includes considering the local climate, orientation, and layout of the home to maximize natural light and ventilation. Energy efficient home designs should also incorporate features such as insulation, double glazing, and energy efficient appliances to minimize energy consumption. By working with experienced designers and builders, homeowners can create a comfortable and sustainable home that meets their needs and reduces their environmental impact. In Australia, the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme provides a framework for assessing the energy efficiency of homes, helping homeowners make informed decisions about their building design. This ensures that every aspect of the home is optimized for energy efficiency, from the initial design to the final construction.
Innovative Water Solutions in Sustainable Homes
Our eco-friendly houses are designed to use less water, featuring low-flow fixtures, greywater systems, and drought-tolerant landscaping. We champion rainwater harvesting systems and space-efficient designs to accommodate water tanks, enhancing the sustainability of your home.
Taking advantage of shorter pipes to minimise heat loss in hot water systems is crucial. By strategically grouping rooms that use hot water together, you can enhance energy efficiency, significantly reduce hot water bills, and lessen environmental impact.
Health and Comfort in Green Homes
Building a sustainable house with Norde Homes ensures healthier indoor air quality. Our eco homes in Perth are constructed with low-VOC paints and finishes, reducing health problems like asthma and allergies. Superior ventilation systems in our green homes constantly circulate fresh air, removing pollutants and ensuring a healthier living environment.
Strategic placement and design of living areas can enhance natural heating and cooling, leading to reduced energy consumption and improved overall comfort in a home.
Long-term Cost-effectiveness of Eco Homes
Our sustainable house designs don’t just save the planet; they save you money. With lower energy and water consumption, you’ll see significant savings on your bills over time. And, as demand for eco homes in Perth grows, these beautiful custom homes increase in value faster than normal, non-energy-efficient custom homes.
Improvements in energy efficiency not only enhance overall household comfort but also contribute to long-term savings. Additionally, government funding for upgrades, such as the Household Energy Upgrades Fund, provides financial support to homeowners for making energy-efficient improvements, thereby improving comfort and reducing energy bills.
But we understand that building a sustainable home is a significant investment. That’s why we work with you to balance cost and value, advising on materials and design to help you stay within your budget while achieving an energy-efficient home that aligns with your values. To get you started, we can guide you through house plans we have developed for other clients, to inspire your design journey and get you started right away.
Defining an Energy-Efficient House with Norde Homes
At Norde Homes, our standard for a sustainable home includes:
A passive solar design home or a passive home (passivhaus)
A Water-Wise garden built with native plant and tree species
A minimum of a 8+ NatHERS star energy rating
We build up to 10 NatHERS star energy rating
Solar energy utilisation through a PV system
Recycled, reusable & eco-friendly building materials
A rainwater harvesting system, water-efficient fixtures, and a greywater recycling system
We recommend building a Passive Solar Design House or a Passive House.
Heating and Cooling Systems
Heating and cooling systems are a significant contributor to energy consumption in homes. Energy efficient heating and cooling systems, such as reverse cycle air conditioning and hydronic heating, can help reduce energy bills and minimize environmental impact. By incorporating renewable energy sources, such as solar power, into heating and cooling systems, homeowners can further reduce their energy consumption and reliance on non-renewable energy sources. In Australia, the use of renewable energy systems is becoming increasingly popular, driven by government incentives and consumer demand for sustainable energy solutions. These systems not only provide comfort year-round but also contribute to a more sustainable and energy-efficient home.
Energy Consumption Monitoring
Energy consumption monitoring is an essential tool for homeowners looking to reduce their energy bills and environmental impact. By installing energy monitoring systems, homeowners can track their energy usage in real-time, identifying areas for improvement and optimizing their energy efficiency. Energy consumption monitoring can also help homeowners take advantage of energy efficient appliances and lighting, such as LED lighting, and make informed decisions about their energy usage. In Australia, the National Construction Code and the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme provide a framework for assessing energy efficiency and promoting sustainable building practices. By working with experienced builders and designers, homeowners can create an energy efficient home that meets their needs and reduces their environmental footprint. This proactive approach to energy management ensures that homes are not only comfortable and cost-effective but also environmentally responsible.
Your Future-Ready Eco Home Awaits
The average home emits roughly 7 tonnes of greenhouse gas annually. Passive solar homes and Passive Homes significantly reduce this figure, enhancing sustainability and reducing your carbon footprint. With Norde Homes, you get a future-proofed home that excels in energy efficiency even in a world with a changing climate. The integration of energy efficiency in the design and construction of new homes ensures compliance with the National Construction Code’s standards for energy ratings. Additionally, eco homes are designed to enhance modern living by incorporating intelligent design and high energy efficiency, making them suitable for contemporary households.
Contact us today to learn how we have helped countless clients before you, and how we can help you achieve your dream of owning your eco home in Perth, Australia.
FAQ about Sustainable Homes
Why choose Norde Homes?
Our team’s expertise in energy efficient, eco home building methods such as passive solar design and passivhaus ensures homes that are created to meet contemporary needs, guaranteeing cost savings and a commitment to a greener environment. Whether working with an existing plan or a bespoke design, our promise remains the same: unmatched comfort, and a low carbon footprint.
What our clients have to say
Our home was not one we loved to live in before Marco, and his team worked their magic. Marco saw our vision & executed the renovation with the utmost professionalism. His team was always friendly & professional & were here Monday to Saturday for five months until we had our new home. We highly recommend this company to anybody looking for a professional, honest builder. Thanks, Norde Homes!
I love my new kitchen! It is so much more functional. I love cooking in my new kitchen as I can have several dishes on the go with much more bench space to spread out. I love that my kids can sit at the breakfast bar and do their homework or chat with me while I’m cooking dinner. I love how much more storage space I have and how the drawers make it so easy to access things while I’m cooking. Thanks again to you, Marco & team.
Thank you to Marco, Laila and their team for a job well done. From our first phone call to Norde Homes to the final works to our home, we consistently experienced the team as responsive, efficient and professional. Marco was accommodating and ensured that we were satisfied with the work completed. We recommend Norde Homes to anybody looking for a productive and attentive custom home builder. Recommended!
Throughout the renovation process, Norde Homes have kept our family as their prime consideration. Communication, Consideration and Professionalism are the three words that come to mind when I think of Norde Homes. I tell everyone that I will never leave our wonderful new home now that the renovation is done. Our house had good bones and a good location, but it was dark, cold, outdated and had some structural issues. Now it is light-filled, open, is structurally strong and shows our personality.
We were referred to Norde Homes after a disappointing experience with another building company. After meeting Marco, we felt confident in his genuine partnership approach. An invaluable benefit was Marco’s wife, Laila, a leading interior designer. Her eye for style and elegance gave our bathroom a finish we couldn’t have achieved on our own. The renovation process was smooth; Marco’s hands-on approach, excellent tradespeople, and high craftsmanship were outstanding!
After competitively tendering a sizeable renovation while still living in our home, we can honestly say our project was very successful. We set Marco a tight schedule with high-quality expectations and active project management. Marco kept us fully informed, maintaining high standards and working seamlessly around our needs. We have used Norde Homes for two sizeable renovations recently, and they deliver on their promises. We sincerely recommend Marco and his team.
My wife and I discovered Norde Homes through a friend of our building designer and were impressed by their professionalism. The project started quickly with demolition, site clearing, and new foundations completed in just a week. MK delivered high-quality results within our budget, and any variations only enhanced the final finish. We would definitely use Norde Homes again and recommend them to everyone. They are open, honest, and dedicated to achieving the best outcome for your project.
Norde Homes were excellent to work with to build the Garden Studio I had designed for my backyard. They provided the best quote and added a great range of extras for the bathroom. They were always available at the end of the phone to problem solve any issues. It was a great experience working with Marco and the team, and I would recommend Norde Homes to people seeking good quality, friendly service. Highly recommended!
Norde Homes were the ideal builder we spent quite some time looking for. As we were looking for a tailored solution to our difficult block/situation, Marco was on-site managing the trades and ensuring a top finish was achieved. We are happy with the result and can hopefully use them again on future projects.
Marco and Laila worked excellently as a team, always concerned about achieving the best price for products and labor. Their honest and open communication was refreshing. They went to great lengths to understand our wishes and offered creative suggestions for the best outcome. We chose to work on a cost-plus basis. After a couple of months, I raised Marco’s margin due to his excellent suggestions that saved us money and improved the project.
Marco and the team at Norde Homes did an outstanding job with our new build in Floreat, completed during Covid in 19 months (May 2021 – January 2023). Despite the high-end, custom nature of the project and a strict budget, the process was far less stressful than expected. I highly recommend Norde Homes. After living here for over a year, we are delighted with the result!
You can tell Marco Klous from Norde Homes knows what he’s talking about. Of the many specialist builders that we have spoken with for our Passive House project, we’ve chosen to work with Marco because of his expertise in this area. It’s a great house to live in. Wonderful style, great finished and craftsmanship, and a comfortable indoor climate year-round. They have a refreshing no-nonsense and transparent approach. Highly recommend.
We highly recommend Marco and the team at Norde Homes for a high-quality, energy-efficient build in Perth. We came to Norde Homes with a rough sketch, a tight budget, and an awkwardly shaped triangular block. Despite the challenging period in the Perth building industry, they worked hard to make our build a success. We are thrilled with our 8.5-star rated home, achieved within budget through clever design and MK’s guidance. MK’s honesty, reliability, attention to detail, and care set them apart.
How lucky were we in choosing Norde Homes to build and design our very special space… boy did we hit the jackpot. They were so honest and patient with our slow pace and decision making. We wanted to get things right and they accommodated us extremely well. The final product is a dream come true and everyone who visits asks who the builder was. We are super proud of everything we have achieved together!de sure they delivered the best to me. Highly recommended!
A selection of the passive solar homes we built.
Custom energy efficient homes that are second to none.
SQ Mtr
375
Beds
5
baths
5.5
Cars
3
Floreat, WA
This stunning, custom home has all the features and design elements that we love. High ceilings, spacious rooms connected through a central stairs with a large open vide.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the home’s energy efficiency is enhanced by advanced tools like AccuRate, which allow designers to analyze various factors, including specific parameters for space heating and cooling, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the building’s energy performance.
SQ Mtr
175
Beds
3
baths
2.5
Awards
1
North Perth, WA
This beautiful custom designed addition is based on passive solar design principles and has an energy rating of 8.6 NatHers. The owners wanted an open space, with kitchen, living, dining.
To further enhance the home’s sustainability, a renewable energy system was integrated into the design, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and offering potential savings on electricity bills.
Talk with passionate experts about your project.
Talk with our friendly team of passionate experts about your project. Whether you have questions, need some advice, or want to chat about ideas, we’re here to help. Let’s connect and see how we can help bring your vision to life.