Overview

The Homestar rating tool framework has been developed to assess new and existing homes and allows for both self-assessment by the homeowner or tenant using the online tool and also independent assessment of the home resulting in the issue of a formal Homestar Certified rating.

There are four different levels of homeowner or tenant engagement with Homestar:

Homestar self-assessment online tool

This free online tool allows homeowners and tenants to gain a better understanding of how their home is likely to perform in terms of energy, health and comfort, water, waste and more. The online tool asks a set of questions and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. A short report is then produced indicating a provisional Homestar rating on a 0 - 10 star scale. It is anticipated that most existing New Zealand homes would achieve between 1 and 5 stars. In addition to providing a self-assessed rating for the home, the report includes a list of recommendations to help homeowners and tenants understand how they can make improvements to their home and move up to a higher ‘Star Band’. The homeowner or tenant is then offered the opportunity to independently contact solution providers who can deliver these improvements.

Homecoach assessment

A Homecoach uses the online tool to help homeowners and tenants better understand what they can do to increase the performance of their home. Homecoaches can assist homeowner and tenants either in their home, or in-store. This service offers homeowners and tenants assistance when going through the online tool as well as specialist advice on potential solutions for the home.

Homestar Practitioner

 A Homestar Practitioner provides professional advice to homeowners and tenants when they are making decisions about home design, via a new build or major renovation project. They can guide the homeowner around improving the performance of their home and advise how to incorporate good environmental design and specifications in order to meet the appropriate Homestar rating. A homeowner or tenant is likely to engage a Homestar Practitioner when they are targeting a Homestar Certified rating.

Homestar Certified assessment

A Homestar Certified rating is an onsite assessment performed by an independent Homestar Assessor, and confirms how well a home is working against a set of pre-determined benchmarks within the Homestar Tool. The Certified assessment process is not one whereby the Homestar Assessor provides recommendations to the homeowner or tenant. The Homestar Certified star rating given allows prospective buyers and tenants to understand the likely level of performance of a home, and makes it easy to compare with other Certified homes.

Homestar Industry Professionals are trained and accredited by NZGBC for Homestar. If you are interested in becoming a Homestar Industry Professional, please visit our Training section of this website.