Please get in touch with us to enquire further about our services.
42 Oban St, Glenorchy NZ 9372
+64 (0)3 409 0401
[email protected]
Energy
The Headwaters Eco Lodge has been designed to achieve Net Zero Energy Building Certification (NZEB) in accordance with the requirements of the Living Building Challenge
Net Zero Energy Building Certification
There's one key requirement for achieving this stringent certification - on an annual basis, 100% of our energy needs must be supplied by the energy we generate on site. To achieve this, the project needs to have more than just solar panels. We work on being as efficient as possible in our energy use, while providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience for guests.
Our buildings are designed and built to use passive heating, cooling and ventilation methods, and each cabin is fitted with high-efficiency systems, products, and appliances.
Other conditions that must be met to achieve NZEB certification have been woven into our project from the beginning. Our project team has created buildings that lift the human spirit.
Solar garden
An east-west facing 'solar garden' of photovoltaic panels generates the energy we need to achieve Net Zero Energy while showing our guests and visitors how solar power works.
Surplus energy generated by the solar garden during the day is stored in batteries, enabling us to use it at night.
A big plus? If there's a storm and the power goes out, or there are cuts for any reason, we have power!
Smart lighting
All light fixtures use LED bulbs - highly efficient when turned on, and many lights within buildings automatically turn off when there's no-one home.
Exterior lighting is also automated, providing safety and illumination for visitors while respecting Glenorchy’s rural nightscape (and future Dark Sky accreditation plans!) by avoiding unnecessary light pollution.
Heating
Winters in Glenorchy can be quite cold, with nighttime temperatures falling below freezing. Locals often use the bulk of energy consumption in their homes to keep the house warm when the thermometer dips.
To achieve our Net Zero Energy goals, we need to be mindful about how we choose to use energy. This is an important challenge as we seek to reduce the amount of energy used for heating without affecting guest comfort.
At the lodge, the windows, building envelope, and siting angles are designed to take full advantage of the power of the sun. To supplement solar gain, mechanical heating comes from highly-efficient ground-source heat pumps.
End result? Our cabins provide our guests with a cosy, healthy environment using the least energy possible.
NET ZERO ENERGY RESULTS
The lodge's performance is measured by a site- wide monitoring system that records and shows our energy generation and consumption in real time.