Are you planning to build a new home? If you're like most Kiwis, you're probably thinking about how to make it affordable, healthy, and built to last. What many people don’t realise is that energy-efficient design isn’t just good for the environment—it can save you thousands over the life of your mortgage.
At Manor Build, we specialise in prefab homes that are warm, dry, energy-smart, and affordable. Here’s how high-performance design can help you spend less, live better, and build smarter.
We explain the minimum building standards, what a passive and high-performance home is, the key benefits, the potential barriers in your way, and the design elements that make your new home more energy efficient.
A high-performance home is designed to stay at a comfortable temperature all year with minimal energy use. That means lower power bills, less mould and condensation, and better air quality. These homes use smarter design and better materials to reduce the energy needed for heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation.
The ultimate version is a Passive House, which can use up to 95% less energy than a standard home. At Manor Build, our standard homes already exceed Building Code energy standards—and we offer optional upgrades to go even furtherBeautiful.ai - Manor Bu….
According to a 2024 study from the New Zealand Green Building Council, homes built to Homestar standards (which focus on energy efficiency, ventilation, and insulation) deliver massive financial benefits:
🏡 “Homestar homes can save homeowners thousands of dollars in energy and water costs over 10 years—and shave two years off a typical mortgage.”
— NZGBC Homestar Report, 2024
Read the full article
New Zealand’s climate means we need homes that are warm, dry, and built for changing conditions. Here’s how performance has changed over time:
A 1970s house can use twice the energy of a new code-compliant home.
A Passive House uses only a quarter of the energy of a standard new build.
Our standard Manor Build homes use 35% less energy than a typical brick-and-tile
Here’s what goes into a smart, energy-efficient prefab home from Manor Build:
This helps lock in heat and reduce your power.
Air leakage can waste 30–50% of your heat. Our homes include:
Airtight Metrapanel ceilings and floors
Full RAB wrap
Optional blower door test for certification.
Thermally broken double glazing (Low-E) as standard
Optional UPVC or triple-glazing for Passive-level performance
Complex building shapes lose heat. Our homes are designed with efficient floorplans that improve performance and reduce construction waste.
LED lights standard across all builds
Tapware meets WELS 4+ for water savings
If you really want to maximise the performance of your home, we can work with Passive House engineers to make sure your home is optimised for your climate—from solar gain to summer overheating.
Perceived cost: But smart design pays off in lower bills.
Lack of knowledge: Not all builders know how to do it.
Time pressure: Poor planning leads to poor performance.
At Manor Build, we simplify the process by building in a controlled factory, using proven systems that save time, money, and energy.
Standard Features:
Factory-built airtight construction
R7.0 ceiling / R2.2 wall / R3.1 floor insulation
Thermally broken Low-E double glazing
Positive pressure ventilation
Full RAB wrap
Efficient layout and orientation
Optional Upgrades:
MVHR ventilation system
Triple-glazed UPVC joinery
Blower door testing
Homestar 6 certification path
You don’t need to settle for the bare minimum. At Manor Build, we make high-performance homes simple, affordable, and future-ready. Contact us today to get started—or download our brochure to explore your options.