Eco-friendly homes could be "popping up all over the country" following the completion on the first Best Home project in Havelock North this week.
The sustainable housing project, run by the Hastings District Council and Hawke's Bay firm Horvath Homes, encourages construction of more energy-efficient houses.
A pilot house was built on Whakatomo Place and was opened by the Minister of Energy and Resources and Minister of Housing, Phil Heatley yesterday.
It was hoped it would exceed current building regulations to achieve a minimum six stars on the Homestar energy efficiency rating tool for no more than five per cent additional costs of a standard build.
Horvath Homes director Adam Horvath said he believed the building industry would use the Best Home project as a blueprint as demand for eco-friendly houses increases.