Making your home carbon neutral

We shiver behind most of Europe thanks to the poor quality of our homes, but we will be feeling a lot warmer if the government has its way.

It wants us to get our houses rated for energy efficiency before we sell them, so buyers can see whether they are moving into an oasis or an icebox.

They are no strangers to the cold in Dunedin, but it is not snow that is the problem.

'Otago University found that student flats were colder than the inside of a fridge in the winter. Students would have been warmer sitting in a fridge,' says professor Robert Vale of Victoria University.

He says we are 30 years behind Europe when it comes to building warm, comfortable, homes.

In Britain, some houses are designed to stay at a constant 18 to 20 degrees - without any heating.

Here they are twice the size, but we skimp on the basics.

'In many countries double glazing is now outlawed because it's not good enough and they have triple glazing,' adds Vale.

In Orewa 700 eco-homes are going up, with an emphasis on energy efficiency, and comfort.

The living areas face north to trap as much sunlight as possible, while heat pumps and double glazing keep things cosy.

At the moment it costs an $30,000 to include the green credentials.

But what about older homes?

Three quarters were built before the 1978 building code introduced minimum insulation standards; half of all homes still lack some insulation.

The government has promised more than seventy million dollars over four years to help us improve our homes, and also to launch the home energy rating scheme.

It ranks how energy efficient a house is for prospective buyers.

Even if you do ventilate and insulate - your home won't be completely carbon neutral, unless you stop using every single electrical appliance.

But you will enjoy the comforts of a warmer home
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