GreenAbode

GreenAbode We build energy-efficient, high-performing, eco-friendly SIP homes (including transportable homes) across the wider Wellington region.

Does building a high-performing home mean spending more?In some areas, yes—but not necessarily in the way many people ex...
06/09/2026

Does building a high-performing home mean spending more?

In some areas, yes—but not necessarily in the way many people expect.

A greater share of the budget may go towards the parts of the home that directly affect its long-term performance, including the building envelope, airtightness, high-performance windows, ventilation and careful early design.

These are also some of the hardest and most expensive things to change once the house has been built.

However, that investment can reduce costs elsewhere. A home that retains heat effectively may require fewer heating units, while faster enclosure with SIPs can reduce the building’s exposure to Wellington’s unpredictable weather. Lower ongoing energy demand can also make a meaningful difference over the life of the home.

High performance isn’t about adding more of everything.

It’s about spending more thoughtfully on the things that will continue to matter for decades.

We explore what really costs more—and what doesn’t—in our this article:

https://www.greenabode.co.nz/post/what-actually-costs-more-in-a-high-performance-home-and-what-doesn-t

If you were building your own home, where would you spend the money and where would you save it?We put a few questions t...
30/08/2026

If you were building your own home, where would you spend the money and where would you save it?

We put a few questions to Green Abode Director Kevin Turley, based on what he’s seen over his years in construction.

His answers were pretty practical.

Have a decent contingency. Spend time getting the planning and pricing right. Prioritise the building envelope, windows, and ventilation over things you can upgrade later. And one thing he definitely wouldn’t do?

“Go hunting for the cheapest price!”

We’ve pulled Kevin’s advice together into five things he’d never do if he were building his own home.

If you’re thinking about building, there are some good points here to consider before you get too far down the track.

Read the full blog: https://www.greenabode.co.nz/post/five-things-never-do-building-your-own-home

One of the biggest misconceptions about high-performance homes is that they're all about reducing power bills.Energy eff...
24/08/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about high-performance homes is that they're all about reducing power bills.

Energy efficiency certainly matters.

But that's only one part of the story.

A truly high-performing home should also be:

✓ Comfortable throughout the seasons.

✓ Free from condensation.

✓ Filled with fresh, filtered air.

✓ Stable in temperature.

✓ Healthy to live in.

These are the things homeowners notice every day.

The monthly power bill is just one piece of a much bigger picture.

At Green Abode, we don't just design homes that use energy wisely.

We design homes that people genuinely enjoy living in.

What's one of the most interesting numbers we've recorded from a completed Green Abode home?During winter in the Wairara...
17/08/2026

What's one of the most interesting numbers we've recorded from a completed Green Abode home?

During winter in the Wairarapa, one of our homeowners recorded:

-0.3°C outside

14.1°C inside

The difference? 14.4°C.

What makes this particularly interesting is that the homeowner confirmed these readings were taken without active heating during winter (and without cooling during summer).

Of course, a single temperature reading doesn't tell the whole story.

That's why we collect performance data over time.

When we reviewed electricity data from one of our completed homes, we found something interesting.Instead of looking at ...
10/08/2026

When we reviewed electricity data from one of our completed homes, we found something interesting.

Instead of looking at the monthly bill, we looked at daily electricity use.

Why?

Because monthly bills can be affected by:

• Electricity price changes

• Different billing periods

• Weather

• Occupancy

• Everyday household habits

Looking at energy used per day gives a much fairer comparison over time.

It reminded us that homes don't exist in laboratory conditions.

Real people live in them.

Life changes.

Weather changes.

Power prices change.

Understanding those factors helps paint a much more accurate picture of how a home performs.

Sometimes the most interesting story isn't the power bill...
..it's the data behind it.

What's the best way to measure a home's performance?Many people assume the monthly power bill tells the whole story.In r...
03/08/2026

What's the best way to measure a home's performance?

Many people assume the monthly power bill tells the whole story.

In reality, it doesn't.

We recently reviewed electricity data from one of our SIP homes and quickly realised there were too many variables to draw simple conclusions.

The home was larger than the owners' previous property.

It had different occupancy levels.

It was on a different electricity tariff.

Even the billing periods varied from month to month.

Comparing power bills alone is a little like comparing two cars based only on how much fuel they used, without considering how far they travelled or how many passengers they carried.

That's why we look beyond the final dollar amount.

We pay attention to things like:

✓ Indoor temperatures
✓ Airtightness
✓ Ventilation
✓ Humidity
✓ Daily energy use
✓ Long-term comfort

Those measurements tell a much more complete story about how a home performs.

Question: When you think about an energy-efficient home, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

What if we've been asking the wrong question when building a new home?For years, most conversations have focused on the ...
26/07/2026

What if we've been asking the wrong question when building a new home?

For years, most conversations have focused on the budget, the floor plan, and the timeline.

They're all important.

But what about how your home will actually feel to live in?

Will it stay warm during winter without the heater running all day?

Will it have fresh, healthy indoor air?

Will you spend less on power bills over the years?

At Green Abode, we believe a home should do more than simply meet the minimum standard. It should improve the lives of the people living in it.

Our latest blog explores what makes a high-performing home, why it matters, and the philosophy that's shaped Green Abode from the very beginning.

Read it here:
https://www.greenabode.co.nz/post/what-makes-a-high-performing-home

If you were building a new home, what's the one thing you'd want it to do really well?

When budgets get tight, there’s usually pressure to trim costs somewhere.And one area homeowners often look at is window...
19/07/2026

When budgets get tight, there’s usually pressure to trim costs somewhere.

And one area homeowners often look at is windows.

It's understandable.

Good quality joinery can be a significant investment.

But after years of building high-performing homes, we've seen that saving a few thousand dollars on windows is rarely a decision homeowners are glad they made.

Windows play an important role in the comfort and performance of a home.

They help influence indoor temperatures, reduce condensation, and contribute to the overall living experience.

While not every upgrade delivers the same value, good quality windows are one area we wouldn't rush to compromise on.

Some savings only last during construction.

The consequences can last for decades.

Ten years ago, Green Abode homes were already being built a little differently.At the time, we were using 140 x 45 timbe...
12/07/2026

Ten years ago, Green Abode homes were already being built a little differently.

At the time, we were using 140 x 45 timber framing rather than the more common 90 x 45 framing to help improve the thermal performance of our homes.

Around that same time, we started looking seriously at SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels).

Not because they were new.

Not because they were trendy.

But because we could see the potential to build homes that performed even better.

While building systems continue to evolve, the goal has remained the same:

To create homes that are warm, comfortable, healthy, and energy efficient for the people living in them.

Sometimes the biggest improvements in building come from being willing to ask:

"Is there a better way to do this?"

When people first start researching transportable homes, they often focus on one thing:The cost of the home itself.And t...
05/07/2026

When people first start researching transportable homes, they often focus on one thing:

The cost of the home itself.

And that's understandable.

But one of the biggest surprises can be the costs that sit outside the home.

Things like:

• Transport to site

• Foundations

• Site preparation

• Utility connections (power, water, wastewater and telecommunications)

These costs aren't unique to transportable homes, but they're often underestimated during the early planning stages.

That's why it's important to look at the full project cost, not just the cost of the building.

Having a clear understanding of all the moving parts from the beginning can help avoid surprises later and make budgeting much easier.

A transportable home can be a fantastic solution, but like any building project, good planning is key.

Address

53d Kenepuru Drive
Porirua
5022

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5am
Tuesday 8:30am - 5am
Wednesday 8:30am - 5am
Thursday 8:30am - 5am
Friday 8:30am - 5am

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when GreenAbode posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to GreenAbode:

Shortcuts

Share

Category