High-performance homes without high-performance costs
Achieve measurable comfort and energy performance using conventional construction. No new systems, no new methods—just better outcomes.
You can feel the difference.
Air control isn’t about sealing a house shut — it’s the job of the building envelope to manage how air moves.
When the envelope leaks, energy is lost and moisture is carried into walls and roofs, causing condensation and mould.
Airtightness and ventilation work together so the home breathes continuously – not just when windows are open.
The EnergyTight™ Solution is a practical, whole-home approach to improving build quality.
By creating an airtight, well-ventilated building envelope, EnergyTight™ reduces energy use while improving comfort, indoor air quality, and moisture control.
EnergyTight™ homes are:
All EnergyTight™ homes are measured and certified.
System % of impact
Air leakage accounts for between 25 percent and 40 percent of the energy used for heating and cooling in a typical residence.
There are three key drivers of energy efficiency in buildings: insulation, windows and airtightness.
In most developed markets, minimum airtightness levels (ACH) are regulated as a basic quality requirement for all houses.
While New Zealand has no mandatory standard, improving airtightness delivers significant benefits in comfort, energy efficiency, Health (indoor air quality), moisture control and durability risks
Addressing air leakage not only boosts energy performance but also improves health, comfort, and building durability:
Proven results:
BRANZ empirical research shows that improving airtightness from 9 to 1 ACH50 reduced energy use by 50%, and when combined with heat recovery ventilation, the total reduction reached 90%
Mechanical ventilation and airtightness are designed to work as a system—one simply doesn’t perform well without the other. In a leaky home, air escapes through gaps—bypassing the ventilation system and wasting heating and cooling energy. In an airtight home, most air flows through the system, allowing it to filter air properly and recover heat efficiently. This means better air quality, lower energy use, and smaller, more effective systems.
Airtightness makes the whole home, work better.
Most homes in New Zealand—even architecturally designed builds—perform below international standards of quality, health, energy efficiency and comfort.
The EnergyTight™ Solution delivers a substantial upgrade in build quality for little additional cost over a home built to meet the NZ building code.
By reducing air leakage, EnergyTight™ significantly improves performance across all price points, without requiring changes to standard construction methods.
Typical costs for new homes are around $3,000–$5,000 for airtightness and $5,000–$10,000 for mechanical ventilation—an incremental addition to the overall build cost that delivers a disproportionate improvement in comfort, health, and energy efficiency.
As the chart shows, EnergyTight™ homes sit comfortably within the low cost range for new builds—delivering better performance without the price premium.
A house needs to breathe—but it should do so in a controlled, consistent way, not just when the windows are open. In an airtight home with proper ventilation, fresh air can flow continuously without relying on open windows or losing valuable heat. This manages internal moisture, reducing condensation, musty smells, and the risk of hidden mould—creating a home that feels fresher, more stable in temperature, and noticeably more comfortable every day.
A house needs to breathe—but it should do so in a controlled, consistent way, not just when the windows are open. In an airtight home with proper ventilation, fresh air can flow continuously without relying on open windows or losing valuable heat. This manages internal moisture, reducing condensation, musty smells, and the risk of hidden mould—creating a home that feels fresher, more stable in temperature, and noticeably more comfortable every day.
Energy efficiency is no longer just about comfort—it’s a key driver in property value and saleability.
Homes with certified energy ratings consistently outperform the market
Buyers Are Focused on Energy Costs
Certification Matters
An EnergyTight™ certificate proves performance—it’s not enough to just say a home is energy efficient
Airtightness is measured with a blower door test. A fan is temporarily fitted into an exterior door to gently pressurise or depressurise the home. This shows how much air is leaking through gaps and cracks in the building.
EnergyTight™ Certification
Verified by blower door testing, EnergyTight™ offers two levels:
Retrofit Certified: For existing homes. Aims to reduce air leakage to 10 ACH50 or better—improving energy efficiency, comfort, and air quality to levels comparable to, or better than, a typical new home.
New Home Certified: For new builds. Achieves 3 ACH50 or better—meeting international best practice for energy efficiency, comfort, and durability.
Note: Every home is different, and while EnergyTight™ aims to deliver excellent results in both new builds and retrofits, outcomes depend on many factors—read our full disclaimer here to learn more.
Because AeroBarrier works with standard construction methods, builders can offer the EnergyTight™ upgrade without changing their usual build process.
By adding airtightness and appropriate ventilation, a code-minimum home becomes more comfortable, energy-efficient, and healthier—aligned with international best practice.
With airtightness standards likely in New Zealand’s future, EnergyTight™ helps future-proof homes built today.
Ready to upgrade your home’s performance?
Ask your builder or architect about building an EnergyTight™ home — a home that’s airtight, well-ventilated, and designed for comfort, health, and energy efficiency.
Or contact Aero to learn more.
Some images on this page have been AI-generated by Gemini
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