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Building and housing

Smarter homes

Smarter Homes is a one-stop information resource about making homes ‘smarter’ and more sustainable. A ‘smarter’ home is healthier, warmer, more affordable, attractive, and better for the environment.

The site has information about siting and designing your house to capture energy from the sun, landscaping, choosing materials, constructing your house, and using energy and water efficiently. It will be helpful for people building new homes, as well as those renovating and doing maintenance. It includes ideas for renters, landlords and homeowners. Smarter Homes focuses on providing credible information to anyone wanting to live in a more sustainable way.

Here are some tips from Smarter Homes:

  • insulate your home so it stays warm in winter and cool in summer
  • orient windows so your home gets more sun and natural light
  • choose building materials that don’t use or emit harmful chemicals
  • buy appliances that use energy and water efficiently
  • think ahead to make sure your home or renovation will meet your needs in the future, as well as meeting your needs now.

If you’re interested in technical details, visit the industry website ‘Level’. Level has been created by the Building Research Association of New Zealand to assist designers and tradespeople to design and build sustainable houses for their clients.

Smarter Homes resulted from a partnership between the Ministry for the Environment, Beacon Pathway, the Consumers' Institute, the Department of Building and Housing, Building Research and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. The site is currently administered by the Department of Building and Housing.

Please contact the  Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment – Building and housing information website for further information about Smarter Homes.

For further information on market based green building practices contact the New Zealand Green Building Council.

Last updated: 7 November 2007