The NZIA Bulletin sent out on the 26th of January raises an issue of unsubstantiated claims. The examples cited were an internet provider and a solar panel retailer, however, the lesson applies equally to architecture, building design and more specifically Passive House. Here’s the relevant section of the Bulletin:
“…a recent warning from the Commerce Commission has highlighted how important it is for businesses to have reasonable grounds for any claims or implications they make about their goods or services. The warning was issued on Monday 18 December to 2017 NZ Fibre Communications Limited (“Stuff Fibre”) for making unsubstantiated claims that it is “Probably NZ’s Fastest Internet.”
Stuff Fibre has admitted it did not know if its broadband services were actually faster than that of its competitors and that it had not undertaken any broadband speed comparisons. Stuff Fibre, therefore, had no reasonable grounds for making the claim. The Commission’s investigation found that by making this claim without any reasonable grounds at the time, Stuff Fibre is likely to have breached the substantiation requirements of the Fair Trading Act 1986.
The Commission took the stance that business cannot rely on qualifying a verifiable claim with the word “probably” to get out of the fact it had not actually done its research, and that this caveat was ineffective to prevent potential consumers from being misled.
Last month, solar panel systems retailer New Zealand Home Services Limited (NZHS) was issued with a similar warning over claims it made about the financial benefits of its solar panel installations.
It is important to remember that a claim is unsubstantiated if a business or trader does not have reasonable grounds to make the claim at the time they make it. This applies irrespective of whether the claim is an express or implied claim and irrespective of whether the claim is false or misleading. As you think about the year ahead, take the time to reflect on any claims you make about your goods and services.”
Passive House (or ‘Passivhaus’ in German and sometimes used for clarity) refers specifically to the international Passive House Standard as developed, defined and administered by the Passive House Institute in Darmstadt, Germany. Passive House has a very clear definition and set of requirements so it is possible to check if a building meets the definition and requirements of the standard. It is not a tick-box exercise: rigorous modelling and verification are required in the design and construction stages.
Passive House is not ‘Passive Solar’ or ‘Passive-something’, it is a defined standard.
The modelling and design can be undertaken by a qualified Passive House designer or consultant who may also be the architect or they can be independent of the architect. VIA architecture do both. We undertake projects where we are the Architect and Passive House designer providing an integrated service. And we engage in projects as an independent Passive House designer where another Architect or designer is already engaged.
Independent verification is provided by an accredited Passive House building certifier. There is currently one Passive House certifier in NZ, Jason Quinn of Sustainable Engineering. A certifier from abroad can undertake the role, however, there are advantages of working with someone in NZ who is familiar with the climate and construction practices here.
The Passive House design and building certification process together ensure the customer or end user gets something very specific: a Passive House building. And with this comes the quantifiable benefits associated with the standard.
If anyone claims that a building is a Passive House, they will be able to substantiate the claim. You should demand this.
If you’d like to learn more about the qualitative aspects of Passive House, start here: What is Passive House (Passivhaus)?
Planning to build your own Passive House? Visit the Resources page to make sure you start in the right place and talk to the right people.
Notes:
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