Our homes are our sanctuary from the outside world. There are many simple and smart things we can do to make them warmer, healthier and cheaper to run.

Here are some ideas to make your home more eco friendly...

• A simple and effective way to make a difference in an on-going way is to replace worn out appliances with the most efficient new model. Appliances have a star rating, indicating their efficiency. Choose the appliance with the most stars. Consumer magazine (www.consumer.org.nz) tests products and gives unbiased recommendations. Their by-line is “Making decisions easy”.

• Another really important step you must take to make your home warm in winter and cool in summer is to insulate. And the most critical place to start, because the most warmth is lost there, is in the ceiling. Based on the zone you live in (there are 3 zones in NZ, which you can check out in the Building Code requirements), choose the appropriate R value for your insulation. The higher the R value, the more effective the material is at containing the heat. And of course to get the most benefit from your insulation, it must be properly installed. Having sorted out your ceiling insulation, consideration could be given to insulation for outside walls (if you are altering them) and under the floors. A very useful website to explore for much more information and advice is www.smarterhomes.org.nz.

• Another way to create a warmer, drier and lighter home in the southern hemisphere winters is to build with lots of north-facing windows. This way you can benefit from the warmth of whatever sun we receive. This is called passive heating. It is particularly useful to build with big eaves, which will allow in the winter sun, which is lower in the sky, and block out the summer sun, which is high overhead. Concrete and tiled floors absorb the sun’s heat during the day and slowly release it. And of course, using thermal-lined curtains in the evenings will greatly restrict the loss of heat through the glass.

• An energy efficient heating system would be a useful addition to any home, anywhere in NZ. There is some funding available from the government to assist with providing heating. To find out if you are eligible go to www.energywise.govt.nz. 

• Electricity is the cleanest fuel for heating. Heat pumps are the most efficient way to use electricity to heat a home and they can be retro-fitted. It is important to choose the right sized heat pump for the size of the room or rooms you want to heat. The Consumer website can help you calculate this. There are however other options to consider. Portable heaters are cheap to buy, but expensive to run – however they are a good option if you are renting.

• A woodburner burning free firewood is one of the cheapest ways to heat your home. According to Consumer NZ: “Along with wind and hydro, wood is one of the sustainable carbon-neutral home heating options. But to get the most heat (and the least pollution), it must be burned hot and in a specifically designed firebox… Persisting with an old woodburner or an open fire is throwing away heat and creating health-threatening pollution.”

• A pellet-burner is another option worth considering, but as pellets vary in price from region to region it’s important to check prices in your region before buying a pellet-burner.
  
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