As a GreenSmart® partner, Horizon Homes promotes practical, affordable and sustainable home features for New Zealand homes. GreenSmart® is a voluntary program that focuses on educating building professionals and consumers about the features and benefits of sustainable building, particularly during the pre-design stage where simple design, product and material selections can result in significant benefits for the owner/occupants and the natural environment.

The GreenSmart® program covers the following FIVE key areas of sustainable building:

1. Energy Efficiency
2. Water Efficiency
3. Indoor Environmental Quality
4. Material Selection
5. Waste Minimisation

GreenSmart® offers simple guidance notes on the topics above to assist homeowners and building professionals. These can be downloaded for free at www.greensmart.org.nz.

GreenSmart® summary guide to sustainable building

Smarter Homes – This website is an excellent resource on sustainable homes. We highly recommend you visit this site to get a better understanding of sustainable home products and features. ...More

ENERGYWISE™ – The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has developed this site to provide practical information and advice on energy efficiency. The site also includes a number of government funded incentives for home insulation and efficient home and water heating systems. ...More

Energy Rating Labels - Energy Rating Labels are designed to help you select energy efficient appliances. Labels use star ratings and identify typical energy use over a year to make it easy to compare the energy efficiency of different models. Compare and select the most energy efficient appliances at www.energyrating.gov.au. ...More

ENERGY STAR® is the global mark of energy efficiency, awarded to the most energy efficient products. So now it's easy to be sure before you buy. Just look for the ENERGY STAR®. ...More

Water Efficiency Labeling Scheme (WELS) WELS provides water efficiency and consumption information to consumers, at the point of sale, for a range of water using products. Compare and select the most water efficient plumbing products at www.waterrating.gov.au. ...More

You may be eligible for Government funding of $1000 for efficient solar or heat pump hot water systems. Click here for details. ...More

Buyers Guide - Good Passive Design ...More

Buyers Guide - Solar Hot Water Systems ...More

ITM Building Guide: Sustainable Building
Produced in association with BRANZ to provide builders and homeowners with practical, common sense information on energy and water efficiency, air quality and selecting more sustainable building materials. Click here to view a PDF copy (file size 3.5mb). Hard copies are available from your local ITM store.

ITM Building Guide: How to Minimise Construction Waste
Produced in association with; BRANZ, Recyclers of NZ and the Waste Management Institute of NZ. This guide provides builders with simple, cost-effective and practical ways to minimise construction waste. Click here to view a PDF copy (file size 1.75mb). Hard copies are available from your local ITM store. ...More