our services
We are the only business in New Zealand using WUFI Plus – a software developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP) in Germany. WUFI Plus enables to simulate whole building thermal and hygrothermal performance with typical weather for each location, including rain, wind, and solar radiation, an individual building design and orientation, shading, thermal comfort of occupants, natural and mechanical ventilation, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
Whole building heat and moisture simulation might be utilized for:
- Verification of Building Code requirements of the H1 Energy Efficiency, Verification Method H1/VM1,
- Locating vulnerabilities in the building envelope,
- Optimization of building design,
- Assessment of indoor climate,
- Analysis of potential condensation and mould growth,
- Damage investigations,
- Calculation of heating and cooling demand,
- Assessment of liability.
Whole Building Thermal and Hygrothermal Assessment
Moisture accumulation and transport within the building envelope compromise indoor air quality, occupant health, structural durability, and energy efficiency.
Why conduct a hygrothermal building assessment?
Conducting a hygrothermal building assessment is essential in New Zealand and Australia due to unique climate challenges. New Zealand has 70–80% relative humidity (RH) in coastal areas and about 10% lower inland. When combined with the moisture released indoors, the RH can easily reach 90-100%. With thermal bridges (building elements with the lowest thermal resistance) in the building envelope and increasing air conditioning, the probability of reaching dew point and condensation increases. The moisture forming within the building structure encourages the growth of mould and impacts the structural integrity of buildings. A hygrothermal building assessment, particularly in the design stage, prevents costly repairs from mould-damage, decay in structural timbers, and corrosion of metal components and fixings, potentially saving significant costs, depending on the severity, ranging from $2,000 for minor, localized, professional remediation to over $500,000 per building for major rehabilitation.
If you are interested
Individual Building Energy Consulting
Professional heat and moisture assessment tailored to your individual needs
Would you like to assess the potential of your new or existing building and receive appropriate suggestions to enhance the energy efficiency and prevent moisture issues? Several measures and options will be developed together with you and tailored to your needs. Completely individual and flexible to achieve the limits and parameters set by you. You make the rules of the game all by yourself.
Our clients are building professionals, engineers, architects and architectural designers, investors, principals, and homeowners.
Construction Consultancy
We specialize in the holistic assessment of building systems. By a unique combination of building science and building biology, our aim is enhancing hygrothermal performance to deliver healthier, more durable, and energy-efficient environments. HBS advises on new buildings as well as modernizations in existing buildings, especially on topics, such as:
- Moisture related issues – Exploration of both the fundamental dynamics of moisture ingress and practical strategies for its mitigation,
- Consideration of building science (physics) and building biology aspects,
- Energy-efficient construction,
- Airtightness and weather tightness systems,
- Building materials and their influence on health,
- Passive solar design,
- Natural and non-toxic building materials.
Why You Need a Construction Consultant: 7 Core Benefits
- 100% Independent Advice: We offer unbiased expertise with zero conflicts of interest (fiduciary construction services).
- Every Build is Unique: Don’t treat your investment like a commodity; leverage expert knowledge for every unique prototype.
- Enhanced ROI & Comfort: Smarter design and materials drive better living comfort, superior energy ratings, and lower lifetime costs.
- Contract Certainty: We verify that your building contract guarantees the project you envisioned.
- Third-Party QA Oversight: Gain peace of mind with independent, regular monitoring of the construction site and work quality.
- Total Project Lifecycle Support: HBS is with you from concept to handover (design, construction, acceptance).
- Guaranteed Code Compliance: We use advanced thermal simulations to meet and exceed H1 Energy Efficiency requirements.
Why Holistic Building Services
HBS is offering a unique combination of building science, building biology, energy efficiency, and construction consulting services. With the principles of building biology to both reduce energy consumption and create a healthy, pollutant-free indoor environment by recommending suitable building materials and measures. We analyze the energy requirements of a building and create optimization proposals, while taking aspects, such as electromagnetic fields, moisture, and the quality of building materials into account for a holistic concept. We specialize in thermal and hygrothermal performance of buildings, providing professional and high-quality assessments of new or existing projects.
We also focus on key benefits you will get while using our services, namely achieving measurable results, professional and dedicated support.