Checklist to avoid buying a damp cold home

Published 26 February 2015

Buying a home in Wellington can be tricky. But it doesn’t need to be.

Here are some tips from our home energy experts on what to look for when buying.

Is it insulated? Check the ceiling insulation and don’t always rely on your builder’s opinion of the insulation. Insulation should be around 200mm thick and ideally covering the joists to create a good thermal barrier – “it’s got batts” does not always mean it’s suitably insulated. Insulation should exceed building code, where possible, in the floor and ceiling.

• Where will the sun be in winter? Check the WCC solar radiation map to see how much sunlight the home will get. Take note of the trees, houses and banks that may block valuable sun light. Kiwibank also have a free sun tracker app for home buyers.

• Is there damp proofing? If the home has a suspended wooden floor check to see if there is a polythene barrier to stop the damper air rising up into the home. Survey around the perimeter of the home to note any places where water could run off or soak under the house from banks. Would a field drain help redirect water from elevated areas?

• Is there heating? Have a look around for a fixed method of heating. Heat pumps or wood burners will provide reasonable bills. Remember just heating the lounge will often not be enough. You should consider installing fixed heating to service bedrooms also.

• Are there downlights? If the house is littered with recessed ceiling lights you will lose a lot of heat through the fittings unless they are special insulation coverable LED fittings (IC Rated). If they are halogen or standard incandescent downlights you should add LED’s to your budget to reduce heat loss and bills.

• What extraction is there? Is there a suitable bathroom, tumble dryer or kitchen extraction? Do they all vent to the outside? Getting rid of internal moisture is vital to a healthy home. Well sized extraction is very important. If it’s not there, budget for it.

• Are there freshly painted areas? Do all the windows open during the open home? Sometimes signs of mould can be painted over to smarten up the home for open home viewing. Also homes with a musty smell may have all the windows opened up during the open home to mask some of the signs. Follow your nose and play close attention to ceilings and exterior walls. Warped or cracked window sills can also mean excess water has been a problem at some stage.

• Check the windows – Look for cracked putty or mould around the inside of the window. These often need repair in many homes. Consider drafts and prevailing wind direction. If you are in a windy place you will want better fitting windows and wall insulation if possible. Consider the long term, if you want to install double glazing what’s the access like? If the home is in a hard to reach zone this will push up installation costs.

• Get a home energy assessment or ask the vendor to get a free home energy inspection so you know where and what might need attention to create a warm, healthy and energy-efficient home.