Ngā tohutohu hei whakarite whare hauora, whai pūngao hoki Tips to create a healthy, energy-efficient home

Top tips to make your house warmer, drier and more energy-efficient

Outside

Trim trees or plants that are blocking any windows, and make sure your curtains are open all day to take advantage of the sun in winter.

Insulation

Check your ceiling and underfloor insulation: if you can see the ceiling joists inside the roof cavity, or any gaps in the insulation, it needs to be topped up – visit GenLess website for assessing ceiling and underfloor insulation.
Stop draughts: make sure your doors and windows fit their frames properly, block up old fireplaces, and use draught-stopping tape or seal and draught excluders. Watch the video on reducing home heat loss.
Install lined curtains that reach to the floor, and are covered by a pelmet or face-fitting tracks at the top. This can be as effective as double glazing – visit ecoadvisor.org.nz for more information.

Heating

Set your heating system to 18 degrees in the bedroom, and 21 degrees in the living room. Invest in a plug-in thermostat for heating appliances to keep you warm and healthy without wasting energy.
Make sure your heating system is clean and efficient. Clean your heat pump's filter regularly, and have your chimney or flue swept once a year.
Replace your inefficient and costly unflued gas heater. Choose your new heating method after comparing the different options.

Managing moisture

Watch video on fixing home dampness.
Get externally ducted extractor fans for your bathroom and kitchen.
Dry clothes outside, or use a drier for a short amount of time (this is more efficient than using a dehumidifier).
Put down a groundsheet under the floor to help with rising damp - guidelines for this project are available online.
Wipe condensation off your windows in the morning.
Open your windows for at least 20 minutes a day.

Hot water

Check your shower's flow rate – if it fills a 10L bucket in less than a minute, it's wasting water.
Consider a water-efficient shower head or a flow control disc to keep the flow rate to 9L/minute.
Consider installing a flow restrictor or low-flow showerhead.
Insulate your hot water cylinder and pipes, either with a cylinder wrap or some old blankets.

Lighting and appliances

Wash clothes in cold water.
When replacing an appliance, choose the model with most energy efficiency stars.
Hang washing outside instead of using the dryer.
Turn appliances off at the wall when not in use.
Choose energy efficient lightbulbs.

More information

Sustainable Home Design Guide

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