The questionnaire looks at areas such as insulation, heating, building materials and waste management and calculates just how healthy, warm and efficient the dwelling is.
The simple questions are an eye-opener to the many ways in which our houses can fail us but they also offer opportunities for improvement.
Once you've completed the 15-minute test the website will reveal your home's rating and give simple recommendations for how to boost your star rating. This includes a basic cost guide and an indication of how beneficial each improvement can be in terms of the environment, cost savings and comfort.
For example the site promotes double-glazing, sealing draughts and venting clothes-dryers to the exterior as cost-effective ways to instantly improve the health of your home and its efficiency. More elaborate additions that will really boost your star rating include installing photovoltaic panels to generate some of your own power, setting up a grey water system and insulating to a high standard.
Homestar™director Krista Ferguson warns homeowners not to expect too high a rating when they take the test.
"Essentially the homes New Zealanders live in are under-performing in every area you can imagine: warmth, efficiency, health. Most homes achieve four stars or less."
Ferguson says as more people log on to Homestar™ it's hoped the standard of New Zealand homes will get better. "We hope that the ???online tool enables people to think about how they might renovate or improve their homes. But we're also hopeful that the industry itself will start to build higher performing homes."
She says although the Warm Up New Zealand Campaign is doing a good job of making Kiwi homes cosier, half of those doing an online Homestar™ assessment live in under-insulated homes.
"If you do nothing else, insulate. It is of absolute importance and you're throwing money away if you don't have good insulation."
"Another thing that has surprised us is the number of homes that have a clothes dryer without venting to the outside. That's really not good in terms of asthma and other respiratory illnesses."
On a positive note, she says an encouraging number of home owners are collecting rainwater which is a great way to build resilience for droughts or natural disaster.
The team behind Homestar™studied rating tools used overseas and decided it needed to create something new because of New Zealand's unique conditions. Every couple of years the rating system will be reviewed and adapted to include any advancement in the building industry.
For more information and to take the free Home Health Check test, visit www.homestar.org.nz?
Getting serious about home health?
The simple online test is a good start for everyone but Homestar™ has further options. The next step might be a home coach, who will come and visit your house and give tips and guidance for how to improve your star rating.
Those building a new home may like to employ a Homestar™ practitioner who can work with you through the design stage to make sure key areas are addressed.
Homestar™ director Krista Ferguson says every star gained improves the capital of your home.
"Poorly performing homes cost more to run, are less comfortable to live in and end up costing us all through poor health and lost productivity. However, the savings that you will get when you put some of the Homestar™ recommendations into practice will be tangible and add to the health and value of your home."
Professional assessment?If you opt to have a certified assessment you will receive an official rating, which can then be used on real estate sales material, or advertising if you are seeking tenants for the house.
Alternatively, if you are buying a house, you may like to request of the vendors that it first be assessed for its Homestar™ rating.
Find out more at homestar.org.nz/assessment-types/homestar-assessment
