What is a high-performance home?
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, 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.
How much can you save?
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 here.
Why it matters in New Zealand
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.
What makes a high-performance home?
Here’s what goes into a smart, energy-efficient prefab home from Manor Build:
1. Better insulation
- R7.0 ceiling insulation.
- R2.2 wall insulation (with reduced thermal bridging).
- R3.1 underfloor insulation.
This helps lock in heat and reduce your power.
2. Airtight construction
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.
3. Smarter windows and glazing
- Thermally broken double glazing (Low-E) as standard.
- Optional UPVC or triple-glazing for Passive-level performance.
4. Healthy ventilation
- Standard: Positive pressure ventilation.
- Upgrades: Balanced systems or MVHR (which recycles up to 95% of heat from outgoing air).
5. Simple, efficient shapes
Complex building shapes lose heat. Our homes are designed with efficient floorplans that improve performance and reduce construction waste.
6. Low-waste materials
- Weathertex cladding (better than zero carbon)
- FSC-certified timber framing
- LVL and standardised sizing for zero offcuts
- Recycled and reused internal materials
7. LED lighting & efficient tapware
- LED lights standard across all builds.
- Tapware meets WELS 4+ for water savings.
8. Thermal modelling
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.
What’s holding most people back?
- 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.
What’s included in a Manor Build high-performance home
Standard features:
- Factory-built airtight construction.
- R7.0 ceiling / R2.2 wall / R3.1 floor insulation.
- Thermally broken Low-E double glazing.
- Positive pressure ventilatio.
- Full RAB wrap.
- Efficient layout and orientation.
Optional upgrades:
- MVHR ventilation system.
- Triple-glazed UPVC joinery.
- Blower door testing.
- Homestar 6 certification path.
Ready to build smarter?
You don’t need to settle for the bare minimum. At Manor Build, we make high-performance homes simple, affordable, and future-ready.
