Photo by Linda Robertson.
At $176,000, Frazer Clement's new house is a bargain.
The Waikouaiti 70-year-old bought the Otago Polytechnic's
sustainable house at an auction run by Metro Realty on
Saturday.
Asked why he bought the energy efficient and sustainable
house, the retired hardware merchant said: "I don't like my
old house . . . and this house is great value for money."
While the price was a bargain, Mr Clement was just as
delighted with the savings he expected to make in running the
house.
It was built with warmth-retention features including windows
with gas-filled double-glazed panels and double-thickness
frames, extra insulation, thermal curtaining and a large heat
pump.
The three-bedroom house has an energy star rating of 6.5.
By comparison, a standard wooden villa in Dunedin has a
rating of about 2, and anything over 4 is considered good.
As well as being warm, its other useful features include
low-energy lighting, a water-saving dishwasher, eco-friendly
paint, solar heating panels and a rainwater collection
system.
The house was designed and built by Otago Polytechnic
students using materials and products from more than 20 local
suppliers.
It was the Otago Polytechnic's entry in the Shac 09
Competition - a national sustainable housing competition held
earlier this month.
The money from the house sale will go to United Way, which
will disperse it to Otago-based charities.
Mr Clement said he would move the house to a section in
Waikouaiti where he planned to retire.
john.lewis@odt.co.nz
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