A new subsidiary of Meridian Energy, Right House Ltd, is set to offer New Zealanders a “one-stop shop” for creating an environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient home.
Right House will provide customised solutions for people building, renovating or upgrading their homes to maximise their comfort and minimise their energy usage.
Right House consultants analyse plans for home building projects and create a free recommended solution that integrates the house’s aspect, design, systems and products to achieve the greatest comfort and energy-efficiency.
The company then installs the specified products and systems, delivering a start-to-finish service for building an energy-efficient home.
Right House chief executive Hamish Sisson says the idea for the company arose out of research by Meridian Energy that identified comfort and energy efficiency as key concerns for home owners.
“There’s been a growing awareness of the importance of energy-efficient homes over the past few years, but also a lot of confusion over what you need to do to actually achieve it,” Mr Sisson says.
“Right House solves this problem by overseeing the entire project and sourcing the right products and systems from the myriad of ‘green’ products out there, and delivering you a personalised solution,” he says.
The first “Solutions Centre”opened to the public in Christchurch on March 6, followed by other centres in Botany Downs and Albany in Auckland.
Enthusiastic response
The company has already received an enthusiastic response from the New Zealand Green Building Council, which is introducing a Green Star rating system for homes.
Green Building Council chairman Patrick Fontein says Right House is a much needed service for consumers that will change the way New Zealanders build their homes.
“We commend Meridian Energy for taking the initiative to provide this service for New Zealanders, and encourage people to make use of it to help build comfortable homes that will also build a cleaner environment for future generations,” Mr Fontein says.
An advertising and marketing programme is already under way to promote Right House, including a giant billboard on the corner of the Westfield precinct in downtown Auckland. A television advertising campaign begins this month.
Over the next few years further Solutions Centres are scheduled to open throughout New Zealand.
For more information about Right House, visit www.righthouse.co.nz.
