Welcome
Welcome to Beacon! We’re a collaborative research consortium working to find affordable ways to make New Zealand homes more resource-efficient, cheaper to run, healthier to live in – and kinder to our environment.
Latest News
19 November 2009
What do you know about photovoltaics? Try this survey
New Homes
Beacon’s research is proving that, with materials and products available now, we can design and build new homes which perform well and will be sustainable in the future.
Existing Homes
Based on our early renovation project in Papakowhai, our HomeSmart Renovations project is showing homeowners how to renovate smarter.
Neighbourhoods
Sustainably-designed neighbourhoods can make a big difference to how we live. Beacon’s research measures neighbourhood sustainability.
Further Research
We’re supporting the demonstration projects in New Homes, Existing Homes and Neighbourhoods with research into Energy, Water, Indoor Environment Quality and Systems/Materials. We’re also working with local and central government and consumers to share what we’ve learned.
Plus our research is defining the value of improving our homes: we believe the benefits are wider than cost savings for homeowners. Health, family relationships, jobs, the economy and the environment - all benefit from change.
Looking for advice to improve your home?We’ve developed benchmarks for a HomeSmart home - the HSS High Standard of Sustainability®. Check out the Being HomeSmart section to find out what these are, why we think you need to consider the whole house, and where you can go to get advice for your home. |
New to the websiteBuilding Sustainable Homes: A Resource Manual for Local Government - information and examples to support councils in developing their own sustainable building policies and programmes. |