Homes with eco-smart features can be great places to live.

Homes that are warmer in winter, cooler in summer, healthier to live in and cheaper to run are becoming of greater appeal to many of us.  The added benefit of having a home with smarter features is that it is also easier on the environment.

Families who move to these types of homes are healthier (less colds, flu and asthma) and feel happier.  They even develop better family relationships.

Right now, most New Zealand homes are just not as smart as they could be.  They are cold, damp, unhealthy an inefficient.  It is not just low income homes, or old homes that are under-performing.  According to the research, homes of all ages and types, lived in by people from all sectors of our society, are just not measuring up.

The good news is that you don’t need to tear down and rebuild your home to get it performing better.

  • Many changes can be done free, or at minimal cost and have immediate impact
  • Significant improvements can cost less than $3,000 – a worthwhile investment in your health, well being and comfort.
  • 50% of us renovate within the first 2 years of moving to a new home – the perfect opportunity to make smart choices
  • There is practical support available through advisory services, subsidies, star rating systems and local networks.

Your home has great potential to perform well with your help to make the right choices.  If you are looking to buy, this is a great opportunity to look for existing eco smart features.  You may also wish to consider how you would incorporate future eco smart features into your new home of choice.