Here are a few of the 'eco features' in Urban Ridge homes that are STANDARD and are INCLUDED in the final price.

• All windows and glass doors are double glazed.

In a well-insulated home, most heat escapes through windows and other glazing (such as skylights and glass doors).

Benefits of Double Glazing:

• Warmer in winter
• Cooler in summer
• Conserves energy
• Saves costly energy bills
• Replaces thermal drapes
• Reduces noise
• Minimal maintenance
• Improves security
• Adds value to your property
• Improves your lifestyle

• The homes are constructed on the The Firth RibRaft® flooring system

The Firth RibRaft® flooring system is becoming one of NZ's most popular solutions for residential and light commercial flooring. This innovative method of concrete floor construction offers excellent insulation benefits.  

The system uses polystyrene pods, steel reinforcing rods, plastic spacers and RaftMix™ concrete. Each of the components fit simply together, dramatically reducing labour time and costs.

Advantages of RibRaft floor system include:

• strong, energy-efficient concrete floors 
• cleaner construction, with far less excavated material and waste
• The insulation benefits (R Value) of the Ribraft floor provides excellent thermal efficiency. 
• Increased Strength The raft design offers increased strength and resistance to cracking allowing the system to be built on soils with a minimum bearing pressure bearing pressure of 50kPa.   A reinforced concrete perimeter beam and reinforced concrete ribs over the floor area, results in a slab of immense strength. 

• The benchtops surfaces are stunningly beautiful Quartz stone 

Marbello Quartz® Surfaces are manufactured through a highly automated process. It involves combining ground natural quartz with pigments and polyester resins to bond the stone together. The finished result is a beautiful stone product which is more consistent in colour, thickness and texture than natural stone, but with the same qualities of long lasting performance, high impact and wear of natural stone which is ideal for kitchens. 

Why is Marbello Quartz Stone more eco-friendly than granite? 

• Quartz is a more abundant material than granite
• Marbello Quartz stone has a longer lifecycle than granite
• Less water, soap and detergents are necessary for upkeep
• It requires no sealing or coatings
• There is less material waste during manufacturing (quarrying) and fabrication
• It is nonporous and more hygienic according to NSF 51 standards 

• The carpet is 100% wool

Wool Features

• Environmentally sound - Wool is a renewable resource and biodegradable. 
• Looks better longer - It won't lose its crimp or ability to spring back in traffic areas. With a greater life expectancy, wool will maintain its newness and original appearance longer.
• Cleans better - Spills and dirt are easily removed because of wool's protective outer layer. It keeps dirt and dust high on the pile surface where it can easily be vacuumed. This protective membrane also keeps most spills on the surface until they can be blotted dry.
• Flame resistant - Wool is naturally flame resistant and will self extinguish when the source of flame is removed. Cigarette burns will not scar and melt wool carpets as they do synthetics.
• It's warm - it's cool - Tests show the insulating properties of wool can cut heat loss by 13%. It can also help keep you cool by its ability to absorb 30% its weight in humidity without feeling damp or wet.

• Bosch Ovens - now 31% lower power consumption*
  
  While Bosch cooking appliances offer you unique cooking convenience, they save you more energy than ever before – thanks to many innovations and design improvements.  Including…
• Heat loss is prevented by intelligent hot air control, reduced thermal bridging and improved insulation of the side walls.
• Rapid preheating shortens the preheating time by up to 40% with the same energy consumption.

*  Energy consumption to EN 50304.  Comparison of Bosch current models vs. previous models.  Based on overseas models.

• Bosch Dishwashers – now 40% less electricity and 57% less water consumption ** 

• Using a dishwasher uses less water and energy than washing by hand.  But Bosch dishwashers do even more the environment, while sparing the household budget at a time of increasing energy and water bills.
• The Aqua Sensor monitors the cleanliness of the dishwater and only adds as much fresh water as necessary.
• Wash options like Half Load Plus allow you to customise your wash to reduce excess water and energy consumption
• Continuous-flow water heaters are highly efficient and the Heat Exchanger (condensation drying system) makes use of the residual heat from the last rinse

**  12 place settings per cycle.  Comparison of Bosch current models vs. previous models.

• Smart flush toilets option

Today, Smart flush is the smart choice in toilet suites using only 4.5 litres of water for a full flush and 3 litres for a half flush.

Installing a Smart flush toilet, you will save up to 35,000 litres of water per year**.

But being environmentally aware doesn't mean sacrificing stylish design. Smart flush technology is now featured across most Caroma and Fowler toilet suites - combining smart, contemporary designs with proven performance.

* ABS Water Account 2004-05
** Per household, compared to 11L single flush toilet suite