Guidance Notes

HIA GreenSmart has produced a series of practical guides to explain how you can use GreenSmart principles to help design and build environmentally friendly, comfortable and cost efficient homes.

• Passive Design

  Passively designed homes significantly reduce the need for mechanical heating or cooling. In this section you will find a series of Passive Design Facts Sheets that explain how to design for specific climates, how to orientate a home, making the most of cross ventilation to achieve passive cooling and how to achieve passive solar heating
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• Water Efficiency

  In drought prone the need to reduce water use is critical. Water restrictions in many States have raised consumer awareness of the importance of recycling and reducing water.  In this section you will find a series of Water Efficiency Fact Sheets that will help you to design and advise your clients on practical ways of reducing, reusing and recycling water in their new home.
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• Choosing Materials

  The materials that are used to build homes can have significant environmental and health effects. In this section you will find a series of Choosing Materials Fact Sheets which will help you and your clients make informed decision about materials and construction systems that can reduce the environmental impact of a home without adding to the cost.
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• Energy Efficiency

  More than ever before homeowners are demanding homes that reduce energy bills without affecting their level of comfort. In this section you will find a series of Energy Efficiency Fact Sheets on reducing demand, hot water services and renewable energy.
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• Site Management

  To varying degrees Local Councils across have introduced regulations aimed at controlling stormwater and waste management during the construction process. In this section you will find a series of Site Management Fact Sheets that provide practical guides to help you comply with these regulations.
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• Government rebates 

  Environmental building rebates are currently available from the federal government to make new and existing homes more energy efficient. State governments and local utility providers also offer a range of rebates for energy and water efficiency. These rebates change over time and are aimed at promoting the installation of rainwater tanks or water efficient appliances for existing homes or installing higher rated hot water systems. In some cases, homes may be eligible for both a federal and a state rebate.
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