As read in the Homestar rating tool 'a good start' article on TVNZ website, Homestar™ helps you improve the performance of your home – making it better. Better to live in, better for the planet and better value in the market.

There are 1.6 million homes in New Zealand that can be improved – made more comfortable, warmer in winter, cooler in summer and healthier, while using less energy and water. We know what works to create high performance homes. Homeowners know what they need, but need help to achieve it. That’s why we created an online application that asks all the right questions, rates the performance of your home and inspires people to take action.

Healthy Home Group is Homestar^TM preferred partner. Our trained Homecoaches™ will assist with your home assessment.

Homestar.org.nz provides a free online tool for home owners assessing comfort, health and energy efficiency.

The free online assessment covers such areas as insulation, heating, water use, waste, ventilation and indoor air quality, among other things, and calculates a value rating, from one to ten stars, based on these factors. It also provides useful information on cost-effective upgrades and other available options for improving home health, comfort and efficiency.

How the Homestar™ online tool works?

In the online assessment, should the house not achieve a minimum performance level in core areas of overall warmth and comfort (specifically the ability for the house to achieve healthy winter-time temperatures without using excessive energy), Homestar™ will provide the home owner with suggestions on how to make the home healthier and more comfortable, as well as being kinder to the environment. Some suggestions may involve simple actions that involve little or no cost, while others may involve investments that will pay for themselves through lower running costs or other benefits to the household.

To gain a higher star rating the home owner will need to address the core issues highlighted in the initial assessment, and then reassess the house once the changes have been made.

Homecoaches™ Assessment & the Homestar Certified Assessment

Homestar™ is currently training Homecoaches™ nationwide who can provide assistance with the online assessment and tailor a set of recommendations specific to the homeowners needs. In addition, a Homestar™ Certificate Assessment will provide a qualified rating for the home, validated by a third party. This will be carried out by trained specialist building professionals covering much greater detail than the self assessment. The assessor will spend a few hours at the home measuring in detail the attributes that contribute to the comfort, health and performance of the home. The homeowner will receive a Homestar™ Certificate of Assessment and a unique registration number for authentication purposes.

Alex Cutler, CEO of the New Zealand Green Building Council, a Homestar™ joint venture partner, says: "This unique tool is a world first, rating both new and existing homes, and it provides recommendations for home occupants to help them improve the health and comfort of their homes. We welcome the Government’s support of this industry led initiative.”

Ms Cutler continued, "The assessment is not compulsory, though overtime it is expected that market forces will encourage home owners to obtain a Homestar™ certified rating when buying and selling a home. Homestar™ is expected to have an impact on property values, with a higher star rating providing a competitive edge for some houses on the market. It is anticipated that initial interest in Homestar™ will come from owners, builders, tradesmen, architects and real estate agents during renovations, maintenance, construction, buying or selling.”