Chatham Homes is delivering a new level of sustainable living with its Blackwood display home achieving an Australian-first Green Star Homes certification.
The Green Star Homes ‘As Built’ certification recognises the benchmark set by the Blackwood in providing a healthy, energy efficient and comfortable home for Australian families.
Chatham Homes is the first residential volume builder to achieve the internationally recognised Green Star Homes ‘As Built’ certification, developed by the Green Building Council of Australia.
It is yet another green feather in the cap of the Blackwood, which is also an HIA GreenSmart Display Home winner with an 8.2-star energy efficiency rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS).
The Blackwood was a finalist for the Energy Efficiency category.
Chatham Homes managing director Bradley Hall said the Green Star Homes certification was a world leading environmental standard that the Victorian builder was proud to achieve.
“The Blackwood’s Green Star Homes certification is confirmation of Chatham’s commitment to creating homes that set the standard for healthy, resilient and sustainable living,” Mr Hall said.
To achieve the Green Star Homes certification, a home must comply with 14 credit components, including in the areas of thermal performance, ventilation and powered by renewables.
Homes must also be draught sealed and use products that are low in material toxicity and are energy and water efficient with strong resilience measures.
Green Building Council of Australia CEO Davina Rooney said, “the Blackwood display home is a fine example of how a stylish home with modern features can at the same time be all electric, powered by renewables, and better for the health of people and the environment. We congratulate Chatham Homes on this achievement and thank them for showing industry what is possible.”
Chatham Homes’ environmental, social and governance manager Caity Knaggs said that Chatham aimed to lead systemic change in the residential construction industry.
“As a building company, we have a responsibility to create an environment that works with our planet, honours our health and embodies the resilience we need for the future.” Ms Knaggs said.
“We also want to demonstrate that a thriving, profitable home building industry does not have to come at the expense of the environment. We believe the two can thrive together and be mutually reinforcing through sustainable design considerations and construction methods like those employed in the Blackwood.”
The Blackwood, which is on display in Ballarat’s Lucas estate, is an all-electric, solar powered home wrapped in effortless style and smart design. The use of the latest wellbeing technologies, sustainable materials and smart appliances not only promotes the health of those who live in the home but also limits its footprint on the environment.
As well as being cheaper to run, buyers of sustainable homes are being rewarded with cheaper mortgage rates. Bank Australia’s Clean Energy Home Loan offers discounted interest rates for eligible customers purchasing homes with a Green Star Homes certification or a 7+ NatHERS energy rating.
