Project: $1 House Project

COMPLETED:
2024

PARTNER:
Simx & One Tree College Trade Academy

PCI Electrical Proud to Power the $1 House Project

In 2024, PCI Electrical was proud to support the One Tree Hill College Trade Academy’s $1 House Project—a standout initiative where students transformed a 1970s ex-Kāinga Ora house into a warm, dry, and energy-efficient home with a Homestar 7 rating.

As the installers of the SmartVent Balance ventilation system (sponsored by Simx), our role extended beyond just fitting equipment.

We worked closely with the project team and Homestar assessor Sarah Elicker to ensure the system aligned with the home’s airtight construction and unknown final site location.

A balanced pressure system with heat recovery was recommended—delivering healthy, filtered air year-round while complementing the home’s ducted heating system.

The result? Airtightness improved dramatically from 19 ACH to just 0.81 ACH—making the ventilation system essential for maintaining air quality.

At PCI, we’re passionate about growing the next generation of skilled tradespeople. As long-time supporters of the Apprentice Training Trust (ATT) and the Electrical Training Company (ETCO), and with our regular apprentice intakes, we believe in giving young people real-world opportunities. This project did exactly that.

The $1 House wasn’t just about renovating a property – it was about inspiring future tradies, demonstrating the value of healthy homes, and showing what’s possible when industry and education work together.

As teacher Charlotte Mckeon put it, “The success of the project is with our students.”

We’re proud to have played our part in building a better home – and a brighter future.

More on the project at One Tree Hill College.