Hurworth Taranaki exterior front

EHAUS EURO, PASSIVE HOUSE CLASSIC

Taranaki Hurworth

Carbon Savings

59,985 KG

Heat Savings

94%

Designed and built in 2012, this Certified Passive House was the very first eHaus in Taranaki.

The home was designed to deliver exceptional comfort and performance. Energy modelling predicted a 94% reduction in heating demand. Upon completion, the home achieved an airtightness result of 0.38 ACHₙ₅₀ which is well below the Passive House certification threshold of 0.6. A re-test in 2025 confirmed the home continues to perform at an impressive 0.51 ACHₙ₅₀, proving that quality design and construction stand the test of time.

Set in the foothills of Mount Taranaki, the home enjoys sweeping views of both the mountain and coastline. The layout includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and laundry positioned at one end of the house. Open-plan kitchen, dining and living spaces form the heart of the home at the other end, and both areas are connected via a foyer and cosy nook which creates a practical and comfortable home. 

You can find out more about the owners experience here.

"

We are very happy in our Passive House as the temperature always stays the same. It is like living in a cocoon. You can hop out of bed at 2 o’clock in the morning and it’s warm everywhere, not just in the lounge area. It’s warm in the bathroom, it’s warm everywhere without us doing anything. Would we build another eHaus? A very definite and emphatic YES.

"

— Verena and Rudolf Kull

Design Components

Floor
Fully insulated concrete pad with a U-value of 0.24 W/(m²K)
Wall
ecoBlock ICF wall U-value of 0.267 W/(m²K)
Roof
Double layer of fibreglass insulation U-value of 0.184 W/(m²K)
Window Joinery Frame
Energate 834 German uPVC Uf value 0.72 W/(m²K)
Glazing
Triple Glazed Low E Argon Ug value 0.50 W/(m²K) G Value 52%
Ventilation
Zehnder Comfo Air 350 MHRV
Hot Water
Solar Thermal 30 evacuated Tubes system with internal 300 litre water storage
Heating/Cooling
3.5kW Heat-pump and an inline direct electric heating element in ventilation system controlled by comfo ease panel.
Ecological Features
45,000 litre water harvesting system. Natural flow black and grey water treatment system with composting.

Performance Specs

Heating Demand
11.1 kWh/(m²yr)
Heating Load
10.6 W/m²
Frequency of Overheating
0%
TFA
203.4 m²
Form Factor
3.35
Air Leakage @ 50Pa
0.39 ach
Per Demand
107 kWh/(m²yr)

Consultant: eHaus - Jon Iliffe

Certifier: N/A