Energy Efficient Transportable Homes in NZ: Are They Worth It?

Oct 23, 2022
5 min read

Updated: Jul 1

Transportable homes have come a long way over the past decade.

Once thought of as basic relocatable buildings or temporary accommodation, today's transportable homes can offer the same comfort, quality and durability as a traditional new build. When designed well, they can also be healthier, more energy efficient and more affordable to run.

At Orkney Group, many people know us for our new home construction, renovations, extensions, painting and maintenance services. What some don't realise is that we also build high-performing transportable homes through our specialist brand, Green Abode.

Green Abode's ecobode range combines the convenience of transportable construction with the exceptional performance of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), creating homes that are warm, healthy and comfortable to live in all year round.

Whether you're looking for a compact home, accommodation for family members, or a modern granny flat, an energy-efficient transportable home could be the perfect solution.

What is an energy efficient transportable home?

An energy-efficient transportable home is designed to minimise heat loss while maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature throughout the year.

Rather than relying heavily on heaters in winter or cooling systems in summer, these homes use smarter building methods, better insulation and quality construction to create a naturally comfortable living environment.

The result is a home that typically costs less to heat, experiences fewer condensation issues and provides a healthier indoor environment for the people living in it.

Did you know? Orkney Group also builds high-performing transportable homes through Green Abode. While many people know us for renovations and residential construction, Green Abode is our specialist brand dedicated to designing and building high-performing homes using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). Our ecobode range combines the convenience of transportable construction with exceptional warmth, comfort and energy efficiency. Explore the Green Abode ecobode range.

Why Green Abode builds with SIPs

One of the biggest differences between a standard transportable home and a Green Abode transportable home is the building system.

Green Abode builds its ecobode homes using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs).

Unlike conventional timber framing, SIPs combine structural strength with high-performance insulation in one panel, creating a highly insulated building envelope with very little thermal bridging.

The benefits include:

Excellent thermal performance
Greater airtightness
Reduced thermal bridging
Faster construction
Improved energy efficiency
Long-term durability

This approach helps create homes that stay warmer in winter, cooler in summer and require less energy to maintain comfortable temperatures.

If you're interested in learning more about SIP construction and how it compares with conventional building methods, read our article "How Much Does it Cost to Build a SIP Home in NZ?".

Five reasons homeowners are choosing energy-efficient transportable homes

1. Lower power bills

Heating and cooling account for a significant portion of household energy use.

Because SIP homes retain heat so effectively, they generally require far less energy to stay comfortable throughout the year.

Some Green Abode homeowners have reported consistently low energy costs even after several years of living in their homes, demonstrating that good building performance continues long after handover.

2. A healthier indoor environment

Warm homes are generally healthier homes.

Good insulation, airtight construction and effective ventilation help reduce condensation and moisture, lowering the likelihood of mould growth while creating a more comfortable living environment.

Many Green Abode homes also incorporate balanced mechanical ventilation systems that continuously introduce fresh, filtered air while recovering warmth that would otherwise be lost.

The result is a home that's warmer, drier and more comfortable to live in.

3. Faster construction with less disruption

Because transportable homes are largely built off site, much of the construction process takes place while site preparation is happening at the same time.

This can reduce weather delays, shorten the overall construction programme and minimise disruption to your property.

For many homeowners, it also means moving into their new home sooner.

4. Better for the environment

Energy efficiency isn't just about lowering your power bills.

Homes that require less energy for heating and cooling generally have a lower environmental impact over their lifetime.

Factory-based construction can also reduce material waste, improve manufacturing efficiency and minimise unnecessary waste compared with traditional onsite building methods.

5. Built for long-term comfort

Perhaps the biggest benefit isn't something you'll notice on moving day.

It's what you'll experience every day afterwards.

Stable indoor temperatures.

Less condensation.

Cleaner indoor air.

A quieter home.

Lower running costs.

These are the qualities that homeowners often value most after living in a high-performing home for several years.

Are transportable homes suitable as granny flats?

Absolutely. Modern transportable homes are becoming an increasingly popular option for homeowners wanting extra accommodation for extended family, independent living, guest accommodation or rental income.

Recent changes to New Zealand's building consent exemptions have made some smaller standalone dwellings an increasingly attractive option for homeowners. However, the exemptions only apply if specific Government criteria are met, so it's important to check the latest MBIE guidance and speak with your local council before proceeding.

If you're exploring the idea of a transportable granny flat or secondary dwelling, our article "SIPs Now Included in NZ Granny Flat Consent Exemptions" explains what the updated rules mean, who may be eligible, and how SIP-built transportable homes could benefit under the new exemption.

Green Abode: High-performing homes backed by Orkney Group

Green Abode is proud to be part of the Orkney Group family.

For more than 20 years, Orkney Group has been helping Wellington homeowners bring their building projects to life through new homes, renovations, extensions and specialist construction services.

Green Abode was created to focus exclusively on high-performing homes built using SIP technology, including the ecobode transportable home range.

By combining Orkney Group's construction experience with Green Abode's specialist expertise, we're able to offer homeowners an innovative housing solution that delivers exceptional comfort, energy efficiency and long-term performance.

Thinking about a transportable home?

If you're considering a transportable home, it's worth looking beyond how quickly it can be built.

Think about how warm it will be in winter.

How comfortable it will feel in summer.

How much it will cost to heat.

And how it will perform for many years to come.

The Green Abode ecobode range has been designed to deliver all of these benefits through intelligent design and high-performance SIP construction.

If you'd like to learn more, browse the Green Abode ecobode range to explore the available designs, or visit the Green Abode website to discover more about our high-performing homes.

If you have questions or would like to discuss whether a transportable home is right for your property, contact the Orkney Group team. We'd be happy to point you in the right direction.