Smart steps to lowering emissions
Last updated: 21 December 2023
Practical advice to start your journey to lower carbon emissions in your home or building.
Building owners and homeowners
There are steps you can take now to start lowering carbon emissions and making your home more resilient as the climate changes. You may already be taking steps in the right direction.
Depending on the stage and complexity of your building process, some of the practical advice found in the Smarter Homes Guides could start your journey to lower carbon emissions and make your home more resilient.
- Siting and location
- Design
- Construction and materials
- Air quality, moisture and ventilation
- Water and waste
- Power, lighting and energy saving
- Heating, cooling and insulation
Tools and ideas
New Zealand Green Building Council
Building and homeowners are discovering the benefits to building with low-carbon goals in mind.
5,197 homeowners have already invested in Homestar ratings for their homes, and an additional 18,037 registrations for homes being designed to Homestar have been made.
New Zealand Green Building Council - nzgbc.org.nz
For everyone | Gen Less
Taking climate action with these tips for a lower carbon lifestyle including getting smart with hot water, using energy efficient appliances and insulating your home.
For everyone | Gen Less - genless.govt.nz
Solarview
NIWA SolarView estimates the solar energy that can be collected by a solar capture device (solar panel) at a given address, panel direction and roof slope.
Solarview - niwa.co.nz
Upspec your build
Hutt City Council gives some smart ways to make your home warmer and more energy efficient.
Upspec your build - youtube.com
Walk Score | Redfin
Enter your address and receive a commute report comparing bike, bus and car transit.
How Walk Score works - redfin.com
Up-Spec: Specifying higher-performing homes | BRANZ
BRANZ – Up Spec provides data on practical and cost-effective measures to improve the performance of new homes
Up-Spec: Specifying higher-performing homes - branz.co.nz
Carbon Footprint Calculators NZ | Toitū Envirocare
Calculate and track emissions from you travels, household activities or small business.
Carbon Footprint Calculators NZ - toitu.co.nz